So is the austerian impulse all a matter of psychology? No, there’s also a fair bit of self-interest involved. As many observers have noted, the turn away from fiscal and monetary stimulus can be interpreted, if you like, as giving creditors priority over workers. Inflation and low interest rates are bad for creditors even if they promote job creation; slashing government deficits in the face of mass unemployment may deepen a depression, but it increases the certainty of bondholders that they’ll be repaid in full. I don’t think someone like Trichet was consciously, cynically serving class interests at the expense of overall welfare; but it certainly didn’t hurt that his sense of economic morality dovetailed so perfectly with the priorities of creditors

http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2013/jun/06/how-case-austerity-has-crumbled/?pagination=false

http://pandodaily.com/2013/02/04/three-reasons-not-to-build-a-minimum-viable-product/

“Let’s get the definition out of the way first; Eric Ries defines MVP as “…that version of a new product which allows a team to collect the maximum amount of validated learning about customers with the least effort.”

As we detail in “The Lean Entrepreneur,” famed entrepreneur Bill Gross created an MVP in 1999 that validated that car buyers would be willing to by autos online sight unseen. The customer would choose a car on his website, describe the options desired and then pay for the car. Bill then would go buy the car from a dealer (losing money in the process) and deliver it the customer.

That MVP grew into CarsDirect.com.”

A look at a map of municipal property tax foreclosures shows a sea of read ink in our urban neighborhoods. Urban homeowners acquired ownership during the steel boom, now they are living on a fixed income and can’t afford property taxes, maintenance or repairs of their homes. When redevelopment does show up at their door they are told that it is good for them as their property value will increase.

“They are getting good money for their properties” An African American nonprofit executive said. $25,000 to $50,000 may be considered good value in property terms, but it is not likely to do much for the homeowners or their families. The new housing being built will cost more than $250,000. How many African American households in Pittsburgh can afford that? Most residents of neighborhoods being considered for redevelopment have annual income of less than $18,000.

The big question, why are we not working with African American property owners to co-develop their properties and have them become equitable partners? Potentially it could reduce redevelopment costs and increase the equity of our African American neighbors. Don’t we want multi-culturally diverse neighborhoods?

As far as co-development strategies there are many proven methods, cohousing, real estate trusts, shared equity appreciation agreements, and creative financing strategies. Being open to innovative approaches could truly improve our city’s quality of life and reputation.

Building Local Economies http://bealocalist.org/ great page and organization. Very inspiring!

Very interesting documentary on the effects of psychopaths, therapeutic drugs and the financial markets, not what you would expect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jxq7hiHi1c

CompU a Youth Run Tech Coop Here is a business model idea that aims to engage youth in learning about technology and small business development. It also aims to provide an alternative to rent-to-own computers and very affordable Internet access in an urban community. We aim to make the business self-sustaining so that it is not dependent on grants and our customers can enjoy reliable service.

Currently we are seeking youth entrepreneurs that live in Homewood and wish to be involved in this type of venture.

This a video of a TED Talk given by Nick Hanauer, in an unusual move TED suppressed the distribution of his talk considering it to controversial even for them. TED “Ideas worth Spreading” This is one definitely is! http://youtu.be/bBx2Y5HhplI