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I'd like to see all the data that backs up every figure he's mentioned because really just by saying the recycled plastic could generate $500 million a year, the capital cost to even start this project is still in question. By earning my Bachelor's Degree in Marine Biology, I've learned and know that presentations are a sugarcoated summary. What we need to keep in mind is that maybe there are investors willing to put up money for projects like these but if the data seem too unrealistic and insufficient, then they would definitely back down. The presentation all sounds too good right now but once you look at everything surrounding it, it may not be all too plausible.
Now I'm not saying it's a bad idea or it's completely too good to be true. All I'm asking is for people to take things with a grain of salt. Further research needs to be done and articles like this is media's way of over-exaggerating the facts and reality. I want to clean our oceans just as much as the next environmental activist out there but I can't help but let the rational scientist in me question things like this. Unless I see data to support their claims, I am skeptical. Now, as for TED Talks, I'm a big fan and a regular audience online. Though most ideas given on TED Talks are proven claims, there are some (like this) that are merely that, IDEAS. They are IDEAS worth spreading because they are IDEAS that are intellectual enough but cannot be proven or realized because of many reasons. One of these reasons might be, the same as this one, that the speaker does not have enough resources, credentials, or initial audience to further his research. It's all good but I can't help but blame media and social networking for prematurely exaggerating these ideas.
I do not even want to comment on how this might affect marine life. And this is because, as I've said before, there isn't any data on this article that agrees or disagrees to that. What we need now is research, not an inflated dream. Now I'm not saying people are generally ignorant but we definitely have the tendency to overexcite and end up clouding and impairing the scientific community.
Inspired by TED, Nab's Eye View is an Opinion Newspaper where thoughts and ideas are presented and shared to the global community. Please do share your thoughts and do not be afraid. Everyone is entitled to a point of view and everyone is free to criticize that.
An educated and civilized society is not run by monkeys lazing around minding their own business.
Rayvier
Nab's Eye View
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About the game:
USA as a world power? In E-Sim it is possible!
In E-Sim we have a huge, living world, which is a mirror copy of the Earth. Well, maybe not completely mirrored, because the balance of power in this virtual world looks a bit different than in real life. In E-Sim, USA does not have to be a world superpower, It can be efficiently managed as a much smaller country that has entrepreneurial citizens that support it's foundation. Everything depends on the players themselves and how they decide to shape the political map of the game.
Work for the good of your country and see it rise to an empire.
Activities in this game are divided into several modules. First is the economy as a citizen in a country of your choice you must work to earn money, which you will get to spend for example, on food or purchase of weapons which are critical for your progress as a fighter. You will work in either private companies which are owned by players or government companies which are owned by the state. After progressing in the game you will finally get the opportunity to set up your own business and hire other players. If it prospers, we can even change it into a joint-stock company and enter the stock market and get even more money in this way.
In E-Sim, international wars are nothing out of the ordinary.
Become an influential politician.
The second module is a politics. Just like in real life politics in E-Sim are an extremely powerful tool that can be used for your own purposes. From time to time there are elections in the game in which you will not only vote, but also have the ability to run for the head of the party you're in. You can also apply for congress, where once elected you will be given the right to vote on laws proposed by your fellow congress members or your president and propose laws yourself. Voting on laws is important for your country as it can shape the lives of those around you. You can also try to become the head of a given party, and even take part in presidential elections and decide on the shape of the foreign policy of a given state (for example, who to declare war on). Career in politics is obviously not easy and in order to succeed in it, you have to have a good plan and compete for the votes of voters.
You can go bankrupt or become a rich man while playing the stock market.
The international war.
The last and probably the most important module is military. In E-Sim, countries are constantly fighting each other for control over territories which in return grant them access to more valuable raw materials. For this purpose, they form alliances, they fight international wars, but they also have to deal with, for example, uprisings in conquered countries or civil wars, which may explode on their territory. You can also take part in these clashes, although you are also given the opportunity to lead a life as a pacifist who focuses on other activities in the game (for example, running a successful newspaper or selling products).
At the auction you can sell or buy your dream inventory.
E-Sim is a unique browser game. It's creators ensured realistic representation of the mechanisms present in the real world and gave all power to the players who shape the image of the virtual Earth according to their own. So come and join them and help your country achieve its full potential.
Invest, produce and sell - be an entrepreneur in E-Sim.
Take part in numerous events for the E-Sim community.
