Category Archives: International

There are more than 8 million empty homes in rural Japan, and local governments are selling them for as little as $500 in a bid to lure residents

Tired of all the high prices, noise and pollution and looking for an escape from the big city? How about moving to the Japanese countryside for free? — Read on www.yahoo.com/news/more-8-million-empty-homes-103413523.html

A rogue killer drone ‘hunted down’ a human target without being instructed to, UN report says

Autonomous killer drones that can target humans are now a reality, according to a recent UN report detailing military action observed in Libya. Are we heading for a future like that depicted in the movie, The Terminator? Source: A rogue killer drone ‘hunted down’ a human target without being instructed to, UN report says

Salt Lake City is building a tiny home village 

Salt Lake City is building a tiny home village to address homelessness. Is it just a quick fix for an economic hiccup, or is it the beginning of a new long-term housing trend prioritizing reconnection with community instead of material accumulation? Read more below. Source: Salt Lake City is building a tiny home village with […]

Want to Move to Our Town? Here’s $10,000 and a Free Bike.

Communities around the US are competing for residents, offering perks that are hard to refuse. Springdale, Arkansas, a fast growing city in one of the nation’s top-ranked metropolitan areas, offered $10,000 and a bike. I was surprised to read this because it is my hometown I left 30 years ago to attend university and eventually […]

‘Farms are going to need different kinds of robots’

Cattle on a farm in Australia wear smart sensors on their ears. The sensors stream data about their locations and health conditions to the farmer. The farming industry appears to have stagnated over the decades, however, it is currently undergoing an amazing transformation with new agri-technologies. Read more about it below. — Read on www.yahoo.com/finance/news/farms-going-different-kinds-robots-000715037.html

A Singaporean prefab tiny-home maker says 70% of its customers are in the US – see inside its coming $21,000 ‘Legend One’ offering

High-tech move-in-ready tiny homes are becoming more popular as the global economy worsens and more people struggle paying for traditional housing. What makes these homes so attractive? — Read on www.yahoo.com/news/singaporean-prefab-tiny-home-maker-122800947.html

The pandemic border policy that will leave a scar on Japan’s foreign community | The Japan Times

Border restrictions imposed on non-Japanese residents to stop the spread of COVID-19 were seen as discriminatory by many, but they’re not likely to prevent travel here in the future. Source: The pandemic border policy that will leave a scar on Japan’s foreign community | The Japan Times

Energy Is the Economy; Shrinkage in Energy Supply Leads to Conflict | Our Finite World

Energy consumption underlies all aspects of GDP. COVID restrictions reduce energy consumption and thus GDP. History since 1820 shows low growth in energy consumption leads to war, depressions, and overturned government. Gail Tverberg’s forecast of energy consumption to 2050 is concerning. — Read on ourfiniteworld.com/2020/11/09/energy-is-the-economy-shrinkage-in-energy-supply-leads-to-conflict/

Natura tiny home on wheels was built to be luxurious and eco-conscious – Business Insider

According to the founder and director of The Tiny Housing Co, the tiny home has been “exploding in America” amid the pandemic. — Read on www.businessinsider.com/natura-tiny-home-on-wheels-was-built-luxurious-eco-conscious-2020-9