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Korean Dramas Take an Honest Look at Systemic Corruption and the Individual

  Netflix, CC BY-SA 4.0 < https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 >, via Wikimedia Commons It takes a special effort to watch a subtitled drama, especially one that relies heavily on dialogue, not only as spoken between the characters but as thoughts taking place in their minds.  The Korean Drama, Stranger, is well worth the effort as it takes on systemic corruption, the psychology of cultural hierarchies, and the impact of individualism through well developed characters. Two central characters in Stranger represent what we naively expect from a system of justice as they go against the grain in which corruption has become the acceptable norm. A series speaks as much through its visuals as it does through the action of the plot. Stranger effectively uses peacefully designed Asian interiors as a subliminal rest-bit. Perhaps this is more evident to those of us exercising our intellectual capacities to read the subtitles in the rapidly evolving dialogue. In an increasingly g

How I Became an Independent Researcher of The Tangled Net Of Economic Development Funding

  samanta-santy-unsplash Rarely do I find myself in a state of seemingly unattached free-form physical depression of the sort that makes one’s energy lethargic and body heavy as I have been feeling over the last two days, as I commence this story. “Seemingly” is the key word here for even when I find myself in such a state, I have realized that the reason for my depression is staring me in the face and I am resisting acknowledging it. The time before the last two days when I remember falling into such a state was in the year of 2009. Then I was on the verge of tears, a state which took me by surprise. I had no idea why I was overcome by such strong emotions until I took an look into the not so distant future when the next day I was to attend a Maine entrepreneurial networking event called “The Juice Conference”. That was the obvious cause, why did it take me so long to recognize it? My emotional state was an effect of deconstructing a wall between myself and my feelings about the Maine

A Special Vintage sale as we seek a co-applicant for Apprenticeship grant

Purchase Baby Penguin online HERE A recent post is about an apprentice grant for which we are seeking an apprentice  to be our co-applicant. The grant will be used to train the apprentice in making our products as independent contractor who can work in their own studio, a lifestyle that allows for an individualistic blend of home and work, adaptable to the requirements of sheltering in place.  The ceramic making process is an engaging activity, especially when done in a home studio. The apprenticeship grant will set up a year long training plan, involving training in making many of our products which can create a steady stream of income. As co-applicant we will work together to establish the terms. There is still time! Preferred deadline October 10, absolute deadline November 1st! Please contact Elise at 207 350 3558 or mackenzie@andersendesign.biz for further information. In the meantime , we need to raise some immediate cash to cover for a series of unexpected expenses.   We have

American Political Divide Tugs at the Seams of SBIR STTR Act.

 A disconnect at the core and failed implementation reflects the partisan divide in contemporary politics katie-moum-unsplash Yesterday, I had my scheduled appointment with the agent listed as a federal contact for help with SBIR grants. I did as the instructions said and dialed at 3:45 and my phone call went immediately to hold, with no message of introduction. I assumed that was the way it works with the government. About two and a half hours later I checked my email and found a message sent at 3:47 by the agent. saying he was standing by on the call and to dial back within three minutes. I wonder what he thought I was doing during that three minute window of opportunity? I replied that I had been waiting on hold for two and a half hours and included the instructions which say that I am to call the agent at the designated time and asked for a new appointment. The response I received said “I’ve reviewed your abstract and don’t feel it will be a good fit for the 8.6 topic area.” and I

Let the Free Enterprise Micro-Economy Lead the New Innovation Culture

Andersen Design’s classic chickadee is always in demand Thus far, the State of Maine is one of the few national retreats from corona virus. There is no guarantee that we can prevail in this status, Credit is due to the policies of Governor Mills. While such policies create great challenges for many industries, the governor’s strict policies are benefitting the real estate market, with sales showing a sudden increase. Many new people from urban environs are moving to Maine. Are they here as permanent residents or just as second, or multiple homeowners who reside here upon occasion? Will there be a new meeting of urban and rural sensibilities to create vibrantly diverse communities, or will Maine become a enclave for the wealthy only? That is yet to be seen. In a migration caused by a disruption in economic lifestyles, some may be seeking a solution to both housing and income. Conversely, the great wealth divide has made it almost impossible to hire workers without becoming housing prov

The Uselessness of Centralized Economic Development and the Hope of UBI

   Content-Pixie-unsplash                                                                 In my home town on the rural coast of Maine,we once had an economic development council, but it was little more than a public-private consortium with a license to spend the public’s money in the manner of a private development corporation. The council spent taxpayer money on consultants and on advertising campaigns for down town hospitality businesses. For a while, after spending an amount of public resources, the council laid low, before announcing that it was reconvening. Shortly afterward, the pandemic hit, taking economic hospitality development off the table, and the council announced that it was closing down for good, with nary a mention that the economy was being impacted by a pandemic. The campaign talking points of local politicians habitually extol their high regard for history, creation of year round jobs, the need to attract families and young people to the region, and for affordable h