Maybe "Drill baby drill?" is the answer

This Time magazine article gives a scary portrayal of the agro-fuel movement. Perhaps the most harrowing quote: "One groundbreaking new study... concluded that when this deforestation effect is taken into account, corn ethanol and soy biodiesel produce about TWICE the emissions of gasoline." The law of unintended consequences: increased food prices lead to increase deforestation (oh, and also severely impacting the world hunger crisis).

Saving the world one beer at a time

What is energy independence? How do we become energy independent? Most people's gut answer starts with alternative energy, but this fascinating article points out that we should really be looking at the refrigerator

Deceit, labels, and cigarettes

The Supreme Court has ruled against cigarette companies and big business advertising. I think this is a good thing in the sense that the ruling should reign in misleading advertising in all industries. But why is it that something so harmful as cigarettes needs to come around for the Supreme Court to come to what would otherwise be a sensible conclusion. Advertising should inform, not deceive. 

Don't Pick a QB in the first round

just one of countless lessons one might infer from this great read: Malcolm Gladwell's take on the state of teaching in America

Israel and the United Nations

This NYTimes article gives some insight into UN-Israeli relations, a relationship that is often overlooked. I try to avoid articles that only state "facts" in this forum, mostly because there are better places to find such articles, but this one does a good job of also addressing Israel's argument. Admittedly, this article glosses over the reasons in favor of Mr. Falk's appointment. Thoughts on Israel's decision?

Class Warfare

What does new thriftiness say about class structure? The Working class aspired to become middle class; the middle aspired the upper. But now resentment, especially resentment against luxury spending, is spreading like wild fire. Will this resentment inject rigidity and tension into class dynamics?

Will California turn Icelandic?

California's debt is increasing at a rate of 1.7 million bucks per hour! The state will be bankrupt in February and officials worry about an Icelandic style bankruptcy. Remember: California alone is one of the world's top ten largest economies (the number I've always heard is tied at fourth with Germany). 

Eating Less Cake....

How the recession will hurt British consumption around holiday time. I think most of the conclusions are obvious, but it is still strange: smaller puddings, fewer hair cuts, and more tap water lead the way.

E-mailed submissions

Dan Gendler e-mails in his two favorite articles of the day. The first is an interesting discussion on Nuclear Proliferation or as Gendler puts it: "How We All Learned To Stop Worrying and Dislike China and South Africa More Than We Already Do"

His second is about legos and a corrupt governor. 

Greatest War Time Speeches

I'm not so sure I agree with this compilation, but the speeches are fascinating nonetheless. RealClearWorld presents the 5 greatest wartime speeches ever. I think the rear view mirror is too cloudy. Before WWII, there were some brilliant speeches made as well

Today in History

It is the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rigts. Jimmy Carter has written a pretty boring article on what the US has to do to become a beacon of freedom again. It is predictable in every which way.

On a lighter note

A fun NY Magazine article titled In Defense of Teasing

The Bible on Marriage

Finally, someone has taken the time to put together an article on what the Bible really says on marriage. Fascinating. It notes that there are references to homosexuality as an abomination, but paints a picture of marriage full of polygamy and adultery. An interesting read and an important article.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/172653

We have hope...

We of course being those of us applying to graduate schools...

www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2008/12/where-have-the.html

That said, I have an idea to present on the topic. GREs are taken for most graduate programs except law schools, business schools, and med schools. Perhaps people are avoiding degrees that may not serve any specific purpose and instead focusing on the more functional degrees? 

Stiglitz in Vanity Fair

Columbia Professor and Noble Laureate Joseph Stiglitz has a really good article in the new issue of Vanity Fair explaining who is really to blame for the crisis. While the article says nothing new, it is amazing to see Greenspan's remarkable fall from grace in the past two years. My favorite quote: "Volcker also understood that financial markets need to be regulated. Regan wanted someone who did not believe any such thing, and he found him in a devotee of the objectivist philosopher and free-market zealot Ayn Rand....Greenspan presided over not one but two financial bubles"

http://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/2009/01/stiglitz200901

It's Exam Time....

and that means I'm doing anything but my work, so I decided to start a blog. Why? Just a place I can post articles I find interesting, thoughts that come to mind, things I want to bitch about, etc. E-mail me links you like and I'll throw them up here too...