Money and Computing
Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II: Growing Challenges to Human Health and Safety, Quality of Life, and the Rate of Economic Growth
The continued warming that is projected to occur without substantial and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions is expected to cause substantial net damage to the U.S. economy throughout this century, especially in the absence of increased adaptation efforts. With continued growth in emissions at historic rates, annual losses in some economic sectors are projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century — more than the current gross domestic product (GDP) of many U.S. states. more »
Was This Another Year of the Woman? More Than a Quarter of All Candidates Running for Congress or Governor This Year Were Women
Jo Freeman writes: While some races are still too close to call, 2018 also saw a great leap upward in the number of women running and winning. More than a quarter of all candidates running for Congress or Governor this year were women (272 of 964). What 1992 has in common with 2018 is that these candidates were overwhelmingly Democrats. For the Democratic Party, this was another year of the woman; not so much for the Republicans. In November, Democratic women ran for 93 seats and won nearly half. Republican women ran for 13 and won less than a quarter. Several issues were prominent which attracted women voters. Exit polls said that the chief issue in 2018 was healthcare. Family separation of would-be immigrants was another. more »
Federal Reserve Speech by Lael Brainard: What Are We Learning about Artificial Intelligence in Financial Services?
Editor's Note: fin·tech, noun. Computer programs and other technology used to support or enable banking and financial services. "fintech is one of the fastest-growing areas for venture capitalists". "By accessing data sets with consumers' personally identifiable information and applying open-source AI tools, a phisher may be able to churn out highly targeted emails to millions of consumers at relatively low cost, containing personalized information such as their bank account number and logo, along with past transactions. In cases such as this, where large data sets and AI tools may be used for malevolent purposes, it may be that AI is the best tool to fight AI." more »
Updated: The 2018 Election Season Saw the Highest Number of Women in American History Run For, and Elected To, Federal Office: Who Are They?
The 2018 election season saw the highest number of women in American history run for, and elected to, federal office. According to the Center for American Women and Politics, nearly 260 women candidates were successful in their primary elections. As of press time, a record-breaking 102 women were elected to serve in the 116th Congress, with several races remaining undecided. An additional ten women Senators were not up for reelection this cycle, which would bring the total number of women who will serve in the House and Senate next year to 123 to date. more »