Revenge of the Syndicate

Barf Kicks Arse

I think The Big Bang will especially enjoy this.

What I Am Reading

• I hereby call on The ROTS to read this book and comment on the notion of paternalistic libertarianism contained therein. In general, I think behavioral economics - which combines insights from psychology with those from economics - offers a great deal of insight into why markets don't always function as they should, namely because the basic unit of markets - i.e., individual consumers - don't always make optimal choices. Obesity is a good example. Take a look at the book and see what you think. Fortunately, the answer to the problems identifed by BE is not to abandon markets, but to use policy and market design to "nudge" consumers. Don't blast the idea until you've at least read the introduction.
  • BTW - if you want more on the origins of BE in the Kahneman and Tversky tradition, see here. And if you want more modern day applications of BE in health care (for e.g.) see a nice short, good, and recent essay here.
• Secondly, I am also reading Cyler Towen's book on discovering your inner economist - pretty good so far in the general freakonomics genre.
• Finally, The Lady and I have selected our annual joint summer reading (in which we read aloud a book of historical importance together). It is this.
• On another note, I posted the new ROTS photo of some vultures I saw in a tree at Oak Island, NC.

All your questions about ANWR answered

Analysis of Crude Oil Production in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

This report was requested by Senator Sed Tevens, and is an analysis of the impact of drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.

It shows that other discoveries in Alaska are expected, but none on the scale of those expected in ANWR. It also shows that without drilling ANWR, US production is expected to reach a plateau in 2015 and remain there until 2030.

We are presently importing around 10 million barrels a day, and producing around 5 million barrels a day. This is a handy resource for any discussion of the topic.

THAT sounds like a party

Barf tracks Gush's penchant for self-deception back to an overheard incident on the campaign trail in 1999 when the then-governor was dogged by reports of possible cocaine use in his younger days.

The book recounts an evening in a hotel suite "somewhere in the Midwest." Gush was on the phone with a supporter and motioned for Barf to have a seat.

"'The media won't let go of these ridiculous cocaine rumors,' I heard Gush say. 'You know, the truth is I honestly don't remember whether I tried it or not. We had some pretty wild parties back in the day, and I just don't remember.'"

"I remember thinking to myself, How can that be?" Barf wrote. "How can someone simply not remember whether or not they used an illegal substance like cocaine? It didn't make a lot of sense."

Now that gay marriage is legal...

Philly's Black Muslims Increasingly Turn to Polygamy : NPR.

I guess NPR wants us to just go whole hog on letting anyone marry anyone. A VERY positive viewpoint on polygamy...

Time to buy Canada

Methane heat wave's a' comin'.

If this stuff is true, if Gl Aore, buying up Canadian frozen wastelands?  If these environmental alarmists believe this crap, isn't that what they'd be doing?

For Raisuli

1) Whenever you post pictures, I can't see them. Ex: No Spin Zone below. Quit posting gay invisible pics. :)

2) This guy is coming to visit our health system next week. I have to give him a demo of our EHR.

3) Interview with Bavid Dates on HIT.

Burnout

I have reached a point where all the news about the election seems boring.  Until something really happens--e.g., Hlinton drops out--I am not that interested in checking the CNN Ticker every day to find out about Barf Jocain's medical records and whatnot. 

I was really interested at first in the race.  I followed it closely.  I even read a very good biography of Hlinton. 

But this cycle has been quite long.  And nothing much has happened for a while.   

So, that's that much more time I have for the NBA and professional wrestling.

Delen Elgeneres talks with Cardboard cutout of JoCain

Delen ElGeneres needles JoCain on gay-marriage.

No Spin Zone