A case for linkage without interest to the average wage is presented. The accuracy and stability of index formulae are examined and price linkage is compared to wage linkage. The linkage of personal loans and mortgages, and relevant Halachic questions are discussed. It is indicated how expressing the value of money in terms of time, can be used as a basis for encouraging honesty and discouragin...

Similar to most countries, the objectives of the taxation system in Pakistan are not well-defined. Historically, the primary objective has been resource generation for the government. The taxation system has simultaneously addressed the secondary objectives of promoting area/sectorspecific economic activities, discouraging undesired imports/production, encouraging savings and investment. These ...

Formalization of mathematical theories is a time consuming process for which there is currently little reward. We describe how block chain technology can be used to support the formalization of mathematics by encouraging and rewarding useful work while discouraging repeating the work of others. The block chain will contain a record of definitions made and propositions proven. In addition the bl...

This paper proposes a new perspective, based on the concept of social masks, for the simulation of a realistic NPC (Non-Player Character) behavior. The Mask Model goal is to support AI techniques for autonomous agents by encouraging or discouraging behaviors according to the social environment and by providing knowledge about possible reactions to the agent actions. In this approach, the NPC te...

Most households in low-income countries deal with economic hardships through informal insurance arrangements between individuals and communities rather than through publicly managed programs or market-provided insurance schemes. Households may, for example, draw on savings, sell physical assets, rely on reciprocal gift exchanges, or diversify into alternative income-generating activities. These...

Evidence is presented that raises questions about the Clinton administration's policy of promoting peace by promoting democratization. The expectation that the spread of democracy will probably contribute to peace in the long run, once new democracies mature, provides little comfort to those who might face a heightened risk of war in the short run. Pushing nuclear-armed great powers like Russia...

Early efforts to mitigate flood hazards emphasized structural solutions such as dams and levees. More recent strategies have stressed regulatory, nonstructural measures. In neither case, however, has homeowner involvement been given a very important role. Frustrated with the limited success of past efforts, floodplain managers recently have become more interested in encouraging homeowners to ta...

An inconsistency is pointed out between formidable and thus discouraging hurdles facing peace education in the context of intractable conflicts and actual, encouraging research findings of such programs. It is suggested that the hurdles pertain to the most deep-seated and thus unchangeable convictions constituting the backbone of a group’s collective narrative. On the other hand, the change-obj...

This chapter focuses not on technology mediation of human relationships, but rather on human-like relationships with technology itself. The author argues, with supporting reasoning and data from his work and that of others, that humans have a natural tendency to generalize social interaction behaviors and interpretations (that is, domainspecific “etiquette”) learned for human-human interactions...