Why the Conard Interview Matters— or, Why the Democrats Need Karl Rove - The Atlantic

Why the Conard Interview Matters— or, Why the Democrats Need Karl Rove - The Atlantic

I had heard previously of Edward Conard's book about capitalism. (He was a partner with Mitt Romney in Bain Capital). I like Fallow's analysis of why Conard's world view is wrong. It takes more than just low tax rates for innovation to work. I believe, like Fallows, that we need all of these things to make the system work:

My list would start with: openness to immigration and outside talent; strong university-based research systems; world's largest domestic market as incubator; rule-of-law and culture of venture capital (as opposed to absolute income share for venture capitalists); supportive "innovation in a garage can lead to glory" concepts and the related ideal of mobility and opportunity; and so on. 


Amen!

Board approves format change for witf - witf.org

Board approves format change for witf - witf.org
My local public radio station just announced a switch to an all-news format. Some of the shows they are introducing, such as On the Media and Dianne Rheem, are ones I either download  as podcasts or listen on other stations over the internet.

 To be honest, I don't listen to the current classical broadcast they have. It just doesn't have the passion that I remember from the old Robert J. Lurtsema shows from years ago. Too much chamber music and not enough heart in it! And on many days I have noticed that they pipe in music from another station rather than have a local host.

Overall this is a good move that should increase the audience. Now that there is so little public funding, the station has to pay more attention to the audience.

Observations on Office Moving

Over the summer break my building is due to have a new heating/air conditioning system installed. This means the ceiling has to be taken down. And we all have to clear out of our offices. While packing up my books and papers and throwing out piles of useless stuff I have learned a few things.

First, don't bring home brochures, pamphlets, and other freebies from conferences. There were so many things that I was certain I could use in class or in a research project, but never touched. From now on I will only take home free pens, pencils, and paper.

Then I realized that I should not keep old editions of textbooks. When I get a new one it's time to throw out the previous edition, even if there are good notes in it. The same goes for old editions of computer manuals. Better yet, buying software books is a fool's task since software is updated so often. Better to use the online documentation.

I really need to prune out the extra course handouts and supplements at the end of each semester. I will try to give fewer handouts and put everything on the course website for sure.

Finally, I need to really prune out all papers after they are no longer needed. If I make it all digital, or as much as possible, then I can just lose things in the computer!

Cleaning out the office

This summer my building on campus will be renovated with an updated heating and air conditioning system to save energy. This means I have to clean out my office by the end of the semester! Today I started emptying out old notebooks and throwing away old papers. 

I came across class notes from one of my first graduate statistics courses in 1988. I did keep those, but I threw away others. I have decided that I will never pick up literature from conventions again. I never use it, even the best stuff. I found editions of computer texts going back three generations. No more computer books. 

Also, when I leave a job I need to throw out the old research files. I will never come back to those projects again, for sure. 

I used to print out things a lot more. I found software guides that I intended to use again. All of that is online now. When this project is over I should have a less cluttered and encumbered office!

Posted via email from Black Gap Road

Pink Slime Controversy

 

I've been following the "pink slime" controversy in the news. I also listened to part of a Radio Smart Talk show on WITF, where they interviewed a food science professor at Penn State. The name of "pink slime" was just chosen to make people dislike the meat product. There is really no danger in it. If you eat meat you have eaten all of these products before. In a way, it makes sense not to waste this meat. It's better to use it than to throw it away. This name sounds like something chosen just to make people disgusted.

Earliest Mowing Ever!

resize_image_1066903934.jpg, a photo by P_Linehan on Flickr.

By March 30 the grass had gotten pretty high and the weeds even higher. So it was time to break out the mower!

Neighborhood Visitor

I have seen this cat crossing the edge of our lawn several times. I used to think he's a stray, but with this closeup it's obvious that he has a collar with tags, and we hope a good home!