Philippe Matthews Show Guru Advice, Author Reviews, Tech Reviews, Entertainment News

When I started VIA in 1993, my mother sent me a card with the famous quote from Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” I believed it then, but now I know it to be the truth

Nanosolar, which uses an innovative method to get roofs covered with solar panels, is busy outfitting Guard bases around the country. The nation's biggest energy consumer should be its biggest solar customer

LifeNet lets computers and phones talk to each other without an Internet connection, which could come in handy after disasters that knock out communication networks. One of the first things to disappear in the wake of a major disaster is reliable communication. Without access to cell phone service or the Internet, it's difficult for first responders--or anyone who wants to help out--to speak with each other.

From the archive, we pose a question that's still as relevant as ever: Why has Memorial Day, like so many of our national holidays, been reduced to appliance sales, fast food specials, and vacation deals? With the recent near-collapse of our economy, the ways in which we understand and celebrate national holidays seem particularly challenged. This erosion of meaning is just one of many examples of the growing gap between the promise of America--freedom and opportunity through sacrifice and unity--and how people experience Brand America