When companies use efficient technology to operate their business, less people are needed to get the job done. Yes, I am referring to the recent technical specialist layoffs from Netflix due to the simplicity of Microsoft's Silverlight video player. Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to easy to use technology, but what's next?

Good design, maybe? I think so. I firmly believe that good design is a major part of what makes something a pleasure to use. Whether it's software or some kind of a device, companies will invest in producing better products to reduce support funding. Now, this isn't exactly the best thing for the job market as it will reduce the amount of jobs for support specialists, but competition will surely be on the rise.

It's too early to determine the exact direction companies will take, but it would be great to see an increase in the design & development departments, working to create better products. We will hopefully see a rise in the quality of products now that mass production does not work as well as it did yesterday. Things will eventually start to pick up again when confidence levels stabilize.

All I can say to the people running these businesses is this: Create, innovate, care, and pay attention!

An article written by the NYTimes a couple of days ago helped me finalize my stand on bailing out corporations. You may have read in the papers that Archway Cookies has been shut down, and the employees that relied on the company health plans are now stranded with nothing. It is absolutely devastating that thousands upon thousands of people are losing their jobs with all of their benefit going down the drain.

Yes, bail out the companies that are failing. YES, make them pay the consquences for building shitty products. Yes, create or reform a national health policy that protects hard working people from losing their coverage.

I hate having to hear about people cancelling their surgeries, prolonging their pregnancies, and living with controllable illnesses that they can't help because of they just can't afford health care. This applies to millions of Americans, and it shouldn't be that way.

Just in November 2008, over half a million jobs were lost, and it doesn't seem to be getting better. We are all facing tough times, but people don't have to suffer like this. Corporate, political, and social corruption need to end. Without this, things won't start getting better until it's too late.

A little over a week ago, I stumbled across something that had me in awe. Adobe is working on a video editing technology that brings object placement and integration to a whole new level. Instead of trying to explain it, just watch this:

Imagine all the possibilities this will unravel, and the amount of jobs that will be lost because of the ridiculous ease of manipulating objects. Nonetheless, I would love to see the technology implemented into future versions of After Effects and the likes. If you are into video editing, what are your thoughts particularly - is it a big deal, or no so much?

A recent article over at NYTimes got me thinking about the impact MMA is having around the world. Just several years ago, UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) was banned from over 30 states, now Mixed Martial Arts is making its way into high school gymnasiums.

Many people, including students, don't take UFC and MMA seriously. Some believe it's too brutal while others believe it is just a bunch of sweaty guys rolling around in their underwear. Being an avid martial arts fan and a former practitioner, it is easy to see the level of skill being displayed. Unfortunately it is not so for many.

People often taken interest in martial arts when they feel the need to be able to protect themselves. Often, they're afraid of getting hurt and/or being vulnerable, thus taking on a form of martial arts to change that. Proper discipline from any type of martial art will teach self-control and confidence, as well as many other valuable lessons. Additionally, physical conditioning and health improvements are imminent. Read more about the jump...

Microsoft, Sony, and Best Buy have joined the fight with Amazon against the terrible packaging! After all the struggling and the thousands of injuries reported by hospitals each year, major players in the technology retail world are joining the fight. Yes, we are all aware that it is because of the security reasons, but designers can invent clever ways of packaging products that won't hurt us, or the earth!

I might even start getting into eco-friendly packaging design semi-professionally, just to help this movement. Plus, I love coming up with new ways of doing things. Death to steel-like containers!

I have been reading a lot of reports lately about how Facebook is headed towards financial issues, and how MySpace is just...you know, MySpace. Have you asked yourself what a lot of people's lives would be like without them?

Over the years, Social Networking has turned into the "must have" of the online world like the almighty euphoric Tomogotchi of the past! The millions of accounts that have been created and the type of connectivity that has developed was simply unthought of just a few years ago. Now, it has grown to a point where it is the primary method of communication, getting in touch with old friends, event planning, etc.

Imagine if the 2 giants, Myspace and Facebook, were to fail. What would people do, go back to email? Not gonna happen. People will try to find the next big thing to bombard by the millions so they can maintain their dosage of social network morphine. After all, everyone is turning into online junkies for everything. Work? Online. Staying in touch? Online. Fun and Games? Online. Sexual pleasure? Online (how unfortunate). More after the jump...

First, I want to begin by thanking everyone who went out there and voted in the elections. The United States has proved to me that change can indeed happen. Not long ago, it was nearly impossible to come across someone who would agree that a man of color can take the role as the President of the United States.

President Obama, I want to thank you for proving to everyone in this world what America as a nation truly represents. We have all seen better times not only in this country, but around the world. I started following the Presidential campaigns roughly a year into the process and I realized that change was imminent. My interest in politics was weak, but now I understand that we all have to work towards the bettering of our country.

As you gave your speech, I started to remember every history class I ever took, telling myself in amazement, that we have achieved what many believed could not be done. I could feel the tears of joy about to start flowing down my face, hearing that the change many have longed for is finally here. I am confident that we, as a country, will face our problems directly and work together to bring forth the great possibilities of our lifetime, regardless of who you are.

I will continue to support my country in every way I can, helping and guiding others to do the same. I will help refresh the promise of this country, proving that, as one, we can achieve the greatness we all seek in our lives, to bring an end to our economic turmoil and halt the progressive endangerment of our planet. We are a country of opportunity, equality, and enlightenment. Let us take advantage and prove to our future generations and the whole world around us all of the things we will accomplish, for we are the United States of America.

Tonight, I will close my eyes and fall asleep with a smile on my face, knowing that tomorrow will be a brand new day. I am grateful that I have taken part and witnessed these marvelous events that are now forever carved into history. I can happily say that my faith and belief in achieving greatness in the United States has been reasserted, and from this day on we are headed towards a better future.

Thank you.

Tomorrow is the day I will make history in my family. I will be the first person in my family line to participate in the elections, or anything dealing with voting, for that matter. I am pretty confident who my vote will be going for, and it will be the opposite of what of my conservative family would generally support. They are not exactly the "voting type" as they would continue living life as if nothing happened.

I found out a couple of hours ago that my professor canceled tomorrow's Typography class. This means I can get to my voting destination early in the morning since I will have several things to do throughout the rest of the day. I encourage everyone to go out there and VOTE! I get all sorts of excuses from my friends saying that New York is gonna vote Democratic regardless if they vote or not. I believe that the right to vote is a privilege that everyone who can should exercise.

I cannot foretell what my political views and beliefs will be like a year or so from now, but I will try my best to make as a great of a difference as I can in this world. I give my thanks and appreciation to all of those around the country that will be voting with me tomorrow. Thank you!

With all the politics going on, I've been wondering whether or not people are willing to pay more taxes for greater benefits. Everywhere I go the only thing I hear from people are complaints about how much taxes the government is taking from them. On the contrary, what if the government was giving a lot back to you in return?

Maybe it's just me, but I certainly would not mind paying more taxes if things like health care and job security were guaranteed by the government. People think that the socializing of something like health care will not work in the United States but it seems to be working in MANY other democratic countries. Besides, if things like Social Security, Federal Reserve, and the National Education Association are socialized, why not health care?

All I'm trying to say is this; If I get sick or injured I just want to have the ability to walk or stumble into a hospital and get treated for free without having to worry about my life (which most hospitals don't care about). Another thing that bothers me is that when I get sick, I don't want to be at risk of losing my job. Are your thoughts different from mine? If so, I'd love to see what you have to say no matter where you're from.

I came across this website a few hours ago and I immediately knew I had to tell the world! This is Google's latest endeavor and they're at it to help change the world, with 10 million dollars on the line. "Project 10¹⁰⁰ is a call for ideas to change the world by helping as many people as possible." Google is asking us to submit ideas that can be funded to help the world in any way; energy, environment, health, education, and more!

Let's face it. There are millions of people out there who need our help, and it's not easy to do something about it alone. With the power of a giant company by our side, a world of opportunities are unravelled. I already started writing down my ideas down for submission by October 20th, and I hope you do the same. I have strong beliefs in education, protecting our environment, clean energy, and providing new opportunities for better lives.

Visit Project10tothe100.com to find out how you can participate. I will be keeping close tabs on this project, hoping that more companies start taking similar steps towards a better world! To all my readers and Google, thank you!