Hi Jason,

I Believe Lawrence Kraus has an answtor to your question: "How do we have something from nothing?" - at least as far as the universe is concerned:

http://www.amazon.com/Universe-Nothing-There-Something-Rather/dp/145162…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjaGktVQdNg

About the article, what would your suggestion be for the Lowest-available-risk expected rate of return? A cases by cases analysis? Use some benchmark? Which one?