http://www.picomonster.com Tickle your brain with power Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:39:45 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Hi, If you're reading this, you probably know that the official unemployment numbers for August will be announced on Friday. For the past few months I've been using Gallup Poll data to input into a model, and make predictions prior to the official announcements; but not this month. It turns out ... http://www.picomonster.com/lack-of-unemployment-prediction-for-august/ Just checked the Marketwatch Economic Calendar and I see that the concensus forecast for July unemployment rate is now 9.6%, as opposed to the 9.5% consensus that was forecasted at the time I made my July unemployment rate prediction of 9.3%.  So the consensus forecast has changed, but what number do I ... http://www.picomonster.com/unemployment-july-consensus-updated/ Right to it - my July unemployment rate prediction (seasonally adjusted) is 9.3%, a drop of 0.2% from the previous month. The published Market Watch consensus estimate is 9.5%. Another interesting month since my prediction differs from consensus - so we'll see. Below is a graph that puts this ... http://www.picomonster.com/unemployment-prediction-for-july/ Well, it's about that time again, so here's my unemployment prediction for June. Actually, all the data for the prediction was in a week and a half ago, but my 3 year old decided he'd keep me busy instead - ok with me! By the way, for each monthly prediction ... http://www.picomonster.com/unemployment-prediction-for-june/ OK, month after month after month we hear "the recovery is on it's way; stocks look GRRRREat!; but oh that unemployment..." And month after month we hold our breath in hopes that unemployment is improving - even if it's a little. It's almost like the last missing link to ... http://www.picomonster.com/unemployment-improving/ I'm a little stuck. My next project to do intuitive circuits is taking awhile to get some momentum. I whole heartedly believe that it will dramatically change the speed and depth to which students can grasp understanding AC and DC circuits. Don't know if I should keep ... http://www.picomonster.com/plans-forward/ How does one take a totally abstract idea, mold it, shape it, then transform it into millions? Some folks do this routinely, turning zero into infinity over and over again. Checkout "The Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders lecture series" to hear from the masters. Listening to these folks, it's ... http://www.picomonster.com/the-practical-utility-of-abstract-thinking-2/ Meet the winners!! The Entrepreneurial Thought Leadership Series by Standford Technology Ventures Program is a fantastic way to meet wildly successful startup folks. I've been totally focused on sponging their secret sauces, ipod equipped and wide eyed. Below are summaries of some of my favorite lectures. These are absolutely fantastic... Organization Speaker Key ... http://www.picomonster.com/the-startup-mentality/ Do you use imaginary numbers in your job? Or do you teach imaginary numbers? Help us get started by by sharing your experiences with us. Or you can also make suggestions for material on this site. We'd love to hear from you. If you have not yet played with our ... http://www.picomonster.com/share-your-imaginary-number-experience/ Here are some questions for extra credit. Answers to these are sprinkled throughout our tutorial. Perfect for the curious student who asks in class about the utility of imaginary numbers. You are more than welcome to cut and paste these and use them however you wish. ... http://www.picomonster.com/test-questions-for-applications-of-imaginary-numbers/