#SurvivingProgress Most Important Film In Decades

IN THEATRES DECEMBER 2nd

SURVIVING PROGRESS

Most Important Film in Decades 

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  Intelligent, compelling and featuring some of the world’s great contemporary thinkers, Surviving Progress is nothing short of a massive taking stock. Inspired by Ronald Wright’s bestselling non-fiction book about societal collapse, Mathieu Roy and Harold Crooks’ documentary explores the concept of progress in our modern world and, more specifically, the idea of “progress traps.” Simply put, these are innovations that seem like smart moves forward but inadvertently cause new problems. 
  
  Drawing on historical examples, Roy and Crooks guide us through a sweeping but detailed survey of the major progress traps facing our civilization in the arenas of technology, economics, consumption and the environment. Along the way, we hear powerful arguments in interviews with modern luminaries such as Jane Goodall, Margaret Atwood, David Suzuki, Stephen Hawking and Ronald Wright himself, as well as grassroots activists. From prevalent issues like untenable economic structures, deforestation and political corruption, to the more controversial domains of overpopulation and synthetic biology, Roy and Crooks do not shy away from even the thorniest of topics. 
  
  Like some of the key socio-political documentaries of the last ten years — The Corporation, Manufactured Landscapes, AnInconvenient Truth, Force of Nature and Inside Job — Surviving Progress raises critical questions about the pivotal mistakes society has made. It does so from a remarkable big-picture perspective, seamlessly tackling multiple and disparate issues. The question of how we escape the traps leads to even deeper concerns about the potential fixes.
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First Financial Insights Inc.

Toronto, ON

November 30,2011

Take a glimpse into your future...

This film is sure to change lives!

Geo-Political Ambush

A FINAL FOREWARNING...

Geo-Political Ambush!

Ike Was Right. Who Listened?

The following is an exchange with a colleague that brings to bear the present predicament and conundrum that is faced by America and its Military Industrial Complex.  This is a damned if you do or damned if you don’t situation, caused by a need to preserve the safety of the seaways and free flow of goods and NNRs among nations. We are not taking sides here, but it is remarkable the number of forewarnings that occurred over the years forecasting the dangers and perils of the present situation. For whatever reasons we even fail when it comes to listening and appreciating the deep wisdom of our great forbearers.

EMAIL

November 26, 2011

Dear Sirs

The “US military paradox” is interesting indeed. We say that we hate wars and US imperialism; yet in the absence of US imperialism we would not have access to the mix and levels of (foreign) NNRs (Non Renewable Natural Resources) that enable our American way of life.

Very few Americans understand this basic fact…

Chris

PS. Unfortunately, the folks who are funding our military—the Chinese, Japanese, Russians, Persian Gulf States, etc.—are also our competitors for these increasingly scarce NNRs—another “twist” to the paradox!

FFI Observations of  the American Military Paradox

Washington and Ike did. Ike in fact reminded America in his last speech in office. No one listened? Indeed Washington's similar warning, I understand, is read at the opening of each session of the Congress No one listens?  

Ike's original speech actually referred to the Military Industrial Congressional Complex. He acceded to strong advice and removed "Congressional" from the speech. Interpret that at your leisure. It is ironic and shocking beyond words that two of the Nation's wisest and greatest leaders’ most salient words have been simply ignored. Both men forewarned of the peril, but the forearming was paradoxical.

The current budget battle is a further reflection of this ongoing violation of Presidential wisdom. Military needs may displace the social safety nets of the people. This will no doubt raise the levels and possibilities for social decay and unrest. The final chapter looks to read as Ike predicted - Democracy Lost.

May I add a further twist to the geo-political chess game that Russia, China and others may be playing with America either deliberately or inadvertently? They all know that they cannot take the US on directly. They know that America and its military are operating from ego and related addictions to NNR’s and such.. So they are entrapping the US into a "rock bottom situation' whereby American social unrest and decay will undermine their "perceived geo-political adversary".

This is a clever and patient strategy that is perhaps being executed with considered discipline over decades. We should never be naive to their exceptional will and competence. Never.

They also have no problem financing and letting the US act as the world's police force as it saves them from their own domestic political problems that would arise when their young people are lost in distant and foreign wars. It saves resources for domestic affairs as well. Smart.

The US is more than happy to take on this police (or junky?) role for assured supplies of NNR's even though it will ultimately never be able to repay its creditors' claims with equivalent concretes at a future date. To me, this looks like a complex geo-political ambush that the US is blindly marching into without a one-eyed man. And America may not be able to defend itself with its arsenal of sophisticated weapons - as the enemy would be from within - as planned.

Such are our Times...

First Financial Insights Inc

Toronto, ON

November 28, 2011

@FirstFinInsight

THE GAMES WE PLAY

#GROWTHBUSTERS #Ows #Occupy #N17

Economic, Population,and Urban Growth: Over-consumption - BUSTED

About the Film

Everything we thought we knew is wrong!

Okay, maybe not everything. But what if some of our core beliefs about how the world works turn out to be myths? This documentary flips our world upside down to see what makes it tick, as it explores the most critical question of our time:

How do we become a sustainable civilization?

Water shortages, hunger, peak oil, species extinction, and even increasing depression are all symptoms of a deeper problem – addiction to unending growth in a world that has limits. GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth goes way beyond prescribing Band-Aids to slow the bleeding. This film examines the cultural barriers that prevent us from reacting rationally to the evidence current levels of population and consumption are unsustainable.

It asks why the population conversations are so difficult to have. Why it’s more important to our society to have economic growth than clean air. Why communities seek and subsidize growth even when it destroys quality of life and increases taxes.

Our growth-centric system is broken. It’s not providing the happiness or the prosperity we seek. But that’s good news; it means a shift to a sustainable model will be good for us. We’ll be happier and more prosperous.

Individual and public policy decisions today are informed by a powerful, pro-growth cultural bias. We worship at the Church of Growth Everlasting. Undeterred by the facts, we’re on a collision course powered by denial and the myth that growth brings prosperity. Before we can shift our civilization meaningfully, effectively, and substantially toward true sustainability, the world must be “prepped.” We must become self-aware and recognize the programming that keeps us hooked. GrowthBusters will do just that. We’ll hear from leading thinkers of our time – scientists, sociologists, and economists – to help us separate fact from superstition.

We’re approaching the end of growth. Will we embrace it? Or go down fighting?

From Las Vegas to Atlanta, Mexico City to Mumbai, the White House to the Vatican, GrowthBusters takes us on a whirlwind tour of growth mania. It’s Wild Kingdom with a twist: the cameras are turned on humanity as our own survival skills are examined. GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth looks into the psychology of denial and crowd behaviour. It explores our obsession with urban and economic growth, and our reluctance to address overpopulation issues head-on. This documentary holds up a mirror, encouraging us to examine the beliefs and behaviours we must leave behind – and the values we need to embrace – so our children can survive and thrive.

www.growthbusters.org

Watch The Trailer

NOW IN THEATRES - SUPPORT THE CAUSE

www.growthbusters.org

Secrets of Wealth



Listen... do you want to know a secret


 

Secrets of Wealth

Wisdom of Smart People; Words to Remember

How Many Advisors for Wealth?

There is no doubt that it makes good sense to have a methodology and criteria for selecting a financial advisor. A pretty basic undertaking.

The secret of wealthiest investors worldwide is; however, rarely disclosed to the ordinary investor. That secret derives from a legacy of practical common sense. Internationally, our firm deals only with wealthy individuals outside of Canada. Still, every single global investor we deal with applies this approach to the management of their investments. In fact, we will not accept any client unless the full measure of this strategy is applied. “It is mandatory without exception.”

So what is the common sense approach used by top investors worldwide. Well, it is simple and easy to understand. They all have at least “Three Independent Financial Advisors” That's right; not one, but three.

Why? The reasons are straightforward from a smart business and investment view. They want three VOICES to listen to and be included in their investment decisions. This is smart; as they accept that the world of investments is complex and that no one philosophy is best all of the time. So to counter the risks of a singular approach, three unique professional VOICES are involved in these critical decisions.

They recognized decades ago the wisdom in seeking distinct alternative views. Thus, they did not get financially ruined by events like the 2008 Meltdown, Madoff Scandal or the recent market crash. This approach is intellectually prudent and wise, while it counters the promotional rhetoric of institutions. It is one key reason behind their success and wealth.

Why don't you know? Well, self-evidently it is not in the best interests of advisors and their institutions. NOT IN “THEIR” BEST INTERESTS. So it is unlikely you will ever hear this; from them. And they may perhaps be taking advantage of your lack of knowledge and awareness. Here's the clincher. It costs you no more to have three advisors than one. So you are looking at the same cost, yet for much greater benefit and insight.

What different types of financial advisors do these astute investors employ? From our experience, there are three distinct VOICES they listen to. Over the years we have learned of three unique advisor types: Conventional – the vast majority; Contrarian – maybe 5-10% of advisors; and thirdly, Maverick – rarer; utilizes integrative tactics (Charles Monger) No one style is good on its own, but it is the powerful combination of the three, that generates the best advantage.

There you have it, the most important investment strategy of wealthy investors. This is an approach that should easily align with your intelligence, knowledge and common sense. Every investor is at liberty to copy, research and prove this approach. They would be wise to do so. Very wise indeed…

First Financial Insights Inc.
Toronto ON.
October 15, 2011

Do you promise not to tell?

DO YOU?
.





#OccupyGoldmanSachs or #OGS

WATCH BELOW: SECRET WALL ST TRAINING VIDEO

***Exclusive Release***

#OccupyGoldmanSachs or #OGS

Who’s on First?  We the People…

Comments: Published CAPITAL INSTITUTE, Greenwich, CT

“Out of intense complexities, intense simplicities emerge” – Winston Churchill.

Peter what you are saying I believe is right on the money (sic). The younger generation senses with their keen intuition that they are being taken to the cleaners; left with mere scraps from the table. They are right.

As you point out, what they do not understand is how the process is being administered. We do. And in a few short sentences we have the capability to make that process so crystal clear, that "even elected officials" could under understand it. Now that's pretty clear.

What is the Wall St scheme? Simply, it creates counterfeit currencies in the form of hyper abstract instruments that are converted into real money through the banking system to pay outrageous bonuses to the likes of bankers, traders, auditors and other related parties. This process dilutes the US dollar, thereby taxing and destroying the value of pensions, savings and futures of hard working Americans. Now, do you think elected officials could understand that?

One more disgusting thing should be noted. Firms like Goldman Sachs take HUGE short positions in US treasuries to finance this scheme, to pay their billions in bonuses and fees, thus profiting further from the wealth and futures of the citizens that “license” their existence. They are biting the proverbial hand that feeds them. Talk about adding insult to injury.

Still, it is a game they cannot lose. For when combined with the "legitimate grand larceny" of their counterfeit operations that works to also devalue the shorted US treasuries it further assures even more profits for them from the citizens’ pensions, savings and futures. Have to admit this is certainly crafty alchemy that has fooled many people for an awfully long time. However; as I recall, some tall bearded fella once wisely advised that you could not fool them all the time.

Goldman Sachs’ rhetorical bantering with government, regulators and the people is actually a replay of the famous Abbott and Costello skit “Who’s on First” A Goldman Sachs’ training video about  this tactic is provided below:

It is ironic that lessons in a comedy skit have so much insight into more serious matters. Well, Winnie did also remark once “a joke is a very serious thing.”

In the end Peter, one concludes that it is our job to bridge the gap between what the younger generation intuitively understands and what we are capable of explaining in a few short sentences. So that all clearly understand the nature of these schemes and how they act to invisibly tax the wealth and futures of so many people. Then the people are free to judge its morality and whether the schemes serve the greater purposes of a nation or act contrary to their inalienable interests and rights.

Betting odds strongly suggest, for some reason they cannot be fooled all the time…

THUGBUSTERS

Who ya gonna call?

First Financial Insights Inc.

Toronto, ON

October 10, 2011

@FirstFinInsight

Tricky Blanky? I am not a Thug...

Crown King of America
Blankfein the First

#OccupyWallStreet

...cause we got to get ourselves back to the garden.



BULL WHAT?



#OccupyWallStreet

A Broken Social Stewardship 

We the Government: For, By and Of Wall Street?

The riots and protests in the Middle East, Europe and America are all inter-connected. The people of these nations share a common plight, in that the powers of the people that were conveyed to those who "were granted the privilege to govern them", was abused to the benefit of a few power elites. They have collectively awakened to the broken social contracts embedded in their respective constitutions, bills of rights and other such declarations intended to harbour the fair, just and open administration of their inalienable rights and welfare.

They have come to realize that the promises of future pensions, safety nets and other common elements of existence can no longer be provided under the constructs of the current dogma. That money, gold and other abstractions will not store value and provide for their future, as these abstractions are absolutely tied to the vanishing wealth and resources of a planet that has been exponentially exploited by the few, to detriment of so many. They have come to understand that the massive consumption encouraged by Keynesian economic assumptions is a form of invisible genocide on generations to come. They have come to understand they have the right to return to the people; the powers that have been abused by those unable or incapable of stewarding their interests.

Astutely or intuitively, they have stormed the Bastilles of Wall Street perhaps not fully understanding what it does, but that somehow sensing it was the source of the broken contract "with" the people. And to some measure they are right. Indeed for these charlatans stole trillions from their pensions, safety nets and other future sources of survival. How? Wall Street and its evil collaborators were simply allowed to create trillions of dollars in counterfeit money (derivatives); then through the banking process (The Fed) convert it into the legitimate currency of their nation. In so doing, Wall Street was watering down the currency and thus stealing from the pensions, savings and safety nets of the hard working people who had entrusted a government to protect them from frauds of such high abstractions.

 See: How it Works? THE WALL STREET GANG

From intense complexities, come intense simplicities. Splitting an atom creates a massive destructive force. Creating derivatives on Wall Street, invisibly steals the wealth and futures of generations to come. (It also encourages the rapid use of planetary resources) Both ideas are clear and simple to understand. Yet, politicians, regulators, and others responsible for the welfare and stewardship of its citizens, did not and do not seem to grasp this simple method of larceny? Sadly, one must conclude; that they too, are part of a grand scheme to sustain Wall St and its related Military Industrial Congressional Complex; at the expense of  "we the people"  A simple scheme that the people, in many nations, are no longer prepared to tolerate...

Whither thou goest?   We're heading down to Yasgur's Farm...

 

http://youtu.be/TrWNTqbLFFE

See ya there!

Dr Peter G Kinensa

Chief Economist

First Financial Insights Inc.

Toronto, ON

October 4, 2011

@FirstFinInsight

Much to Learn...

In a Nutshell

Keeping it Short

In a Nutshell

Central Bankers must align with science

Published Wall Street Journal, NY Times, The Telegraph, The Globe and Mail, September 17, 2011

Can the dualism that exists between economics and principles of science and mathematics be resolved with approaches similar to “Quantum Realonomics” that work to realign the monetary and economic structures with the physical constraints that pertain to concrete realities?

In a Nutshell.

The economic equation is rather simple in its totality. It simply consists of inputs (resources) and outputs (goods and services). The functionality that exists between the two is called jobs. However, for reasons unknown “surreal abstractions” now rule the day.

Central Bankers are preoccupied with the abstractions related to printing money and propping up a terminally ill banking and monetary system with little regard to the primary equation. Chasing these illusions will fail at every turn to cure this sick patient. The same diagnostic devices and remedies that were used prior to the 2008 meltdown are being used today. Now with common sense prevailing, the patient would never return to such diagnostic quackery from the same doctor. Never. And, yet we do.

In short, all issues point to the growing imbalance between aggregate global supply and demand. As the supply inputs diminish then outputs may not be increased. This means the functionality that correlates with these inputs and outputs should also decline. So the number of jobs will be reducing and improbable to increase, considering the finite constraints imposed by the science of the planet. Often referred to as thermodynamics.

Central Bankers; therefore need to understand that the “surreal abstractions” currently used as diagnostic devices and remedies, belong back in the Emerald City with the Wizard and Invisible Hand. Economics must become conversant with sciences and other foreign languages such as exponential mathematics. Only then, does it have the opportunity to remedy the simple economic equation, create effective diagnostic tools, and can leave its “surreal abstractions” with the Wizard back in Emerald City.

    

The Wealth of Planets…is such a simple equation.

First Financial Insights Inc.

Toronto, ON

September 17, 2011

That's Central Banking

"Fiat Gold" Worthless?

Glen Beck's Buggy Followers

As “Fiat Gold” approaches all time highs, there are rumblings amoung academia, financiers, economists, scientists, environmentalists and other circles of high influence, as to the sense in wasting critical resources and effort, on a an element that disturbs the rational flows of the global monetary process and creates unneeded environmental havoc. When indeed, no economically logical, statistical or scientific methods may be applied to the hypothesis that “fiat gold” stores value. We are hard pressed to refute such assertions in any way. Very hard pressed…

   

“Fiat Gold” Worthless?

Gold Bugs Fear Ban by IMF

Global Mining for Symbols of Abstract Value Questioned?

A few final humble observations regarding "fiat gold," a term personally preferred as it drives "gold bugs" - buggy. It too is a fiat. As it is only through the process of history it has been decreed to arbitrarily store value - out of thin air. Sound familiar? Except this "super fiat" - a so-called currency equivalent; is not issued by a state that can deliver goods and services upon presentation, through the agency of entities it governs.

So "fiat gold" in the last analysis must have even less "possible utility" than "fiat money" because it cannot directly access the productions of a state's economy. Indeed, fiat gold largely transforms into usable utility; by ironically, first converting to the fiat money it detests and undermines.

Should “fiat gold” conversions to legitimate currency ever be outlawed by World Governing Authorities (when they ever decide; to decide, to take actions), then its price should revert to the intrinsic utility of pretty trinkets and trash. Gold bugs are well advised to be forearmed with schooling in the Seneca Effect

Bursting the "fiat gold,” bubble should also be a huge positive for the human condition in many ways. For it could possibly divert scarce resources used for the mining of such abstract nonsense, into medical research, education, scientific development, and the arts Such activities have a far better chance of enhancing wonders of the human condition, than mining a stone-aged symbol of abstract value conjured up by buggy imaginations. At the same time important ecological benefits would be achieved with an end to this unnecessary scarring of this planet's gifts.

Ya know, I think there may be a few reasons why they are now called, “fiat gold bugs!” 

Published NY Times: Paul Krugman, Comments; September 12, 2011

First Financial Insights Inc.

Toronto, ON

September 12, 2011

@FirstFinInsight 

Gold bugs are constantly devising ways to transform “fiat gold” into the legitimate currencies of nations. So they can trade their symbolic abstract for the real labour, resources and capital outputs of unsuspecting countries. This video provides a parody of their convoluted plots and conspiracies. Tricky Bugs...

MORE GOLD or Heed the quiet wisdom of legacies?

Hey Joe, It's a Depression



How About those Economic Principles?



Hey Joe, It’s A Depression

Policy trap cannot be solved

Reality check: Economics is not a science

Recession? More like a depression as we are firmly caught in the grasp of a policy trap that cannot be cured by the alchemy of macro-policy measures. The reason economics will fail at every turn is because it is not an economic issue. That would be akin to blaming the writer of the journal entry for the write down of bad loans.

The truth lies in the physical realities most of us deny and that are now approaching exponential magnitudes. These stark realities relate to the physical constraints of the planet relative to the people it now carries. The metaphorical pie is shrinking, yet those attending the dinner table grow larger by the day

Let us recognize that economics is not a science, but simply a field of musings and philosophy that has ascribed its own contextual logic as a definitive understanding of human activities. Indeed it is truly an anti-science that conjures up invisible hands, infinite growth and currency devices that purport to store value. When such magic is scientifically, mathematically and logically impossible. Existentialism and science is required, not myths and nefarious economic alchemy.

Otherwise the depression and bear markets are set to possibly last for decades to come. And predicting their consequences reaches far beyond what may be humbly imagined.

The philosophies of economics have run their course. Now science must take the forefront and act to end what could be possibly beyond even a long deep depression, but the start of a dark new age for human existence. Hey Joe, say it ain ’t so … 

First Financial Insights Inc.

Toronto, ON

September 10, 2010

@FirstFinInsight