Why not consider an expert's opinion? I point you to the work of Andrei Lankov and in particular a recent (Feb 1, 2016) Q&A he did with the Korea and the World podcast. He's traveled to China and spoken with officials there about the relationship with North Korea—it is in better shape than the media lets on. Also he talks a bit about the current state of the economy and the growth of private markets—they are thriving and being allowed to do so. The conclusion is that North Korea is much more stable than most would give them credit—especially the South Korean propaganda machine—and that despite appearances Kim Jong Un may actually be allowing an openness not previously seen in North Korea. This is demonstrated by the decrease in the number defectors over the last two years and the general increase in the standard of living. source: http://www.koreaandtheworld.or...

What are the alternatives for email services? While I tend to fall under that "nothing to hide" category, that doesn't preclude my desire to maintain the right of privacy. Since I am not willing to run my own mail server, Can someone share some advice on which alternative mail services to use?

In my home town it effectively doesn't exist and on top of that it is far from bike or pedestrian friendly.

How is the archival quality? Does it break down? Will this someday replace the Giclée print as the method for find art printing?

I listened to a Radiolab episode several weeks ago, it originally aired in February 2012. However it definitely brought me up to speed on what they've been seeing out there. It's well worth the listen. Only about 20 minutes long.

"Is There an Edge to the Heavens?"

It isn't that cognition doesn't have any effect on political views, but rather that politics has primarily become an emotional activity.