The Future of Virtual and Augmented Reality Technology and the Metaverse
Politics

The Future of Virtual and Augmented Reality Technology and the Metaverse

Executive Summary   Building off the well-established infrastructure and economy of the gaming industry, tech companies are looking to make the jump to the next chapter of the internet based in Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) technology.   Implementation of VR/AR technology within the metaverse will come with social and ethical implications, necessitating an attentive eye to how it is changing society and a commitment to developing appropriate policy actions.  The long-term salience of this discussion will be determined by the practicality of this … Continue reading

Yes, “Gig City’s” Public Broadband is Fast, but its Economic Future is Questionable  
Economy / Politics / Technology

Yes, “Gig City’s” Public Broadband is Fast, but its Economic Future is Questionable  

Executive Summary  The impacts of Covid-19 will continue to elicit conversation about funding municipal broadband projects, so we must be aware of the long-term financial obligations associated with these programs.     Chattanooga’s public broadband produces speeds much faster than the national average, but the economic responsibility looms far into the future.   The financial structure of the Electric Power Board’s public broadband will be difficult to duplicate, so the Chattanooga program should not be used as … Continue reading

Trump’s H-1B Policies Are Neither Buying American Nor Hiring American
Economy / Immigration / Labor Force

Trump’s H-1B Policies Are Neither Buying American Nor Hiring American

Three months after his inauguration, President Donald Trump signed an executive order enacting a trademark promise of his campaign: “Buy American, Hire American.” Among other things, the order directed his administration to review the current immigration system and determine policies for the United States to promote higher wages and employment for American workers. One the … Continue reading

How Does China Define Labor Relations in Rising Car-Hailing Services?
China / Labor Force / Politics

How Does China Define Labor Relations in Rising Car-Hailing Services?

On June 28, the Chinese Ministry of Transportation issued a new regulation declaring that online car-hailing services in China can operate lawfully, which took effect on Nov. 1. In China, strict governmental rules repeatedly trip up local and foreign internet companies. Before this new regulation, local governments in major cities restricted the registration and use … Continue reading

Telehealth Series: Fighting Rural Health Inequities with Technology
Healthcare

Telehealth Series: Fighting Rural Health Inequities with Technology

In late 2015, Wisconsin became the 12th State to adopt the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). This program recognizes that medical training is fairly uniform across the states involved, and it provides a quicker path to licensure for physicians looking to practice medicine in Wisconsin. The move for Wisconsin to enact the IMLC also presents a major … Continue reading

Is Telemedicine Going to Help Curb Health Care Costs?
Affordable Care Act / Healthcare / Home Health Services / Politics

Is Telemedicine Going to Help Curb Health Care Costs?

Since the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), everyone has been holding their breath in anticipation of seeing its effects. In an attempt to curb health care costs by diluting the risk pool, the ACA has mandated that individuals get insurance or pay a fine. It is true that millions are more insured due … Continue reading

Privacy Advances or More Privacy Threats? What Might be Wrong with Eric Holder’s Statement
Communications / Other / Regulation

Privacy Advances or More Privacy Threats? What Might be Wrong with Eric Holder’s Statement

Attorney General Eric Holder said on September 30 that new forms of encryption that are now introduced by technology companies could thwart investigations of kidnappers and sexual predators, putting children at increased risk. In the wake of ongoing revelations of widespread surveillance of data and other electronic devices, Holder’s speech seems to be a well-coordinated campaign … Continue reading