Obama takes the most intelligent approach on an issue that touches everything wrong with society.I plan for this post to be an intelligent discussion on ideas. Idealism vs. Reality.
There's hope for society yet.
Obama takes the most intelligent approach on an issue that touches everything wrong with society.I plan for this post to be an intelligent discussion on ideas. Idealism vs. Reality.
AOL Making Smart Moves
Gary Vaynerchuk, a blogger and entrepreneur, discusses the smart moves that AOL has been making lately
Civic emissions comparisons
Continuing our hybrid car discussion and using the Honda Civic as the key example, here is a comparison of emissions between styles.
Since there is no good way to link to these results, posted below are the results of the EPA Green Vehicle Guide's comparison of the 5-spd automatic Honda Civic, the Honda Civic hybrid, and the Toyota Prius.
Since there is no good way to link to these results, posted below are the results of the EPA Green Vehicle Guide's comparison of the 5-spd automatic Honda Civic, the Honda Civic hybrid, and the Toyota Prius.
Dave Chappelle - For What It's Worth
Just bought this standup on DVD, it's available for free on Google Videos
Green Car Analysis - Honda Civic edition
After our last comments discussion of the green car market, I want to present a comparison of hybrid vs. non-hybrid vehicles using the Honda Civic as an example.
Okafor-Chandler Trade
The Charlotte Bobcats traded Emeka Okafor for Tyson Chandler of the New Orleans Hornets, does this improve both teams?
AJ Smith is great GM
Not only as a talent evaluator, but also his ability to ensure the Chargers are never in bad position relative to the salary cap. Philip Rivers is their largest cap number and the biggest cap figure not on the team is Eric Parker at $400k.
The "Green" Car Market
I am in the market for a new car in the next year or two. I want a cool, good-looking car, like an Audi A5, but I also want something that blends coolness with environmental consciousness, like the Tesla Model S. Neither of those are at a reasonable price point for me, so I've been browsing greencar.com to find a more practical "green" car.
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
What a good idea and better research can lead to. Better yet, what great research and an open mind can lead to. Stopping teens from becoming addicted to cigarettes.
Better by Atul Gawande
I'm trying something new - I am about to begin reading Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance by Atul Gawande. Gawande is also the author of the New Yorker article on health care costs we discussed a few weeks ago. I want to post updates after each chapter, feel free to read along with me if you like. The intro will be discussed next week.
What Blogs Are For
Recently I stumbled upon a blogger named Penelope Trunk, and her blog entitled "How to decide how much to reveal about yourself" fascinated me. Be warned: it gets really heavy, really fast.
Malcolm Gladwell on Bear Sterns
Malcolm Gladwell wrote a New Yorker article on the psychology of overconfidence that accompanies Wall Street CEO types, focusing specifically on Bear Sterns and its ousted CEO Jimmy Cayne.
Japan - The Next Galápagos?
A friend just linked me to this New York Times Article describing why Japan's smartphones haven't gone global, and I was particularly amused by the Galápagos reference - seems appropriate, no?
CIT = Country In Transition?
CIT, controversially, didn't get additional TARP money this past week, and now seems to have found private financing. Do you think the government's gamble will pay off?
USA Men's slow-pitch softball
This Saturday I watched USA Men's slow pitch softball on ESPN. This guy provided a much funnier analysis.
Best economic structure in sports?
Guaranteed salaries ruin the NBA. The lack of a salary cap ruins baseball. The average NFL career lasts three years and earns less then $1,000,000 in a career. What is the optimal solution?
Celebrity Twitter accounts - who cares?
Everybody is on Twitter these days, but almost nobody is interesting - especially Tweets by famous people.
Sports league antitrust rules
In an article reassuringly titled Antitrust case could be Armageddon, ESPN columnist Lester Munson describes how an upcoming Supreme Court decision could change the pro sports landscape.
Goldman Sachs v. United States
Goldman Sachs is looking to buy back the warrants the US Government bought w/in TARP - call me cynical, but I fret the US will get the raw end of this deal.
Texas > California?
I just read this Economist article, and was a bit shocked to see Texas considered an equal to the California.
Writing is Stephen King's job
Stephen King treats writing as his job and put his 8 hours in the office every weekday.
7 Habits of Highly Effective Slackers
I found this article by Dudley B. Dawson (good name) funny and accurate in many ways. I love how he lionizes the talent and contributions of slacker employees.
The seven habits of highly effective slackers
Do you practice any of these methods? Cause I sure do...
The seven habits of highly effective slackers
Do you practice any of these methods? Cause I sure do...
SpngeBob - Cable TV's Most Popular Character?
Yup - I'm just as shocked as you are, but it pulls in $8B a year for Nickelodeon/MTV; its also captured 30 of the top-100 Nielsen cable weekly ratings.
Reading in the bathroom
I think we should go down this road, if for nothing else, to get Scott's take out there for all the world to know.
Dead weight contracts on your team? Put 'em to work
Every team has some contracts that have zero value to the team's wins or losses. Here's a way your team can put them to work.
Limitations of the Blog Format
We've only been doing this for two days and I have a few issues with the way Google Blogger works. Especially in the context of our normal interaction on Gmail, which is like a running conversation taking place in a series of email threads.
1. Regurgitation - we only post stuff to the blog that we've already posted on Gmail. The redundancy eliminates the thrill of new conversations, and reduces creativity in our thinking and posting. If the blog doesn't take on a character or a format of its own (i.e. having some longer, more well-thought out pieces, or having original content) then it probably won't have staying power in our daily discussion routines
2. Design and Format -
a. posts are always in chronological order of original post... unlike the discussion format of Gmail, which always pops up new comments to the top of the thread
b. new comments are hard to find, partially because of item A and partially because features like bolding the new comments (or titles of blogs with new comments) doesn't happen like it does in Gmail... a very satisfying feedback feature
c. blog comments and posts jump around several different windows, unlike the natural flow of opening new threads in Gmail, which always feels like one continuous format in which you're just shifting around discussions and customizing on the fly
3. Readership - in Gmail we throw stuff out there for a larger audience of acquaintances... should we get people to start commenting on here? The bigger discussion enriches the content by pulling in some passionate perspectives out of the blue, like Dan the Doctor getting fired up in the healthcare post
4. Community - if we want to make this more public, I can start getting involved in some like-minded community discussions and leading people back to the blog... let me know your thoughts
1. Regurgitation - we only post stuff to the blog that we've already posted on Gmail. The redundancy eliminates the thrill of new conversations, and reduces creativity in our thinking and posting. If the blog doesn't take on a character or a format of its own (i.e. having some longer, more well-thought out pieces, or having original content) then it probably won't have staying power in our daily discussion routines
2. Design and Format -
a. posts are always in chronological order of original post... unlike the discussion format of Gmail, which always pops up new comments to the top of the thread
b. new comments are hard to find, partially because of item A and partially because features like bolding the new comments (or titles of blogs with new comments) doesn't happen like it does in Gmail... a very satisfying feedback feature
c. blog comments and posts jump around several different windows, unlike the natural flow of opening new threads in Gmail, which always feels like one continuous format in which you're just shifting around discussions and customizing on the fly
3. Readership - in Gmail we throw stuff out there for a larger audience of acquaintances... should we get people to start commenting on here? The bigger discussion enriches the content by pulling in some passionate perspectives out of the blue, like Dan the Doctor getting fired up in the healthcare post
4. Community - if we want to make this more public, I can start getting involved in some like-minded community discussions and leading people back to the blog... let me know your thoughts
A new Olympics Channel?
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-olympics9-2009jul09,0,4919875.story
A couple of things:
1) I LOVE sports and the Olympics, but I can't envision myself watching this channel for more than a couple hours a month.
2) I feel as though NBC screwed this one up - they already had the Universal Sports channel which I watched a lot during Beijing (for stuff like water polo and volleyball); it seemed only natural that they should have simply turned that into the Olympics channel, or offered to buy the rights to show all the events this new channel will show. Although, after my first response, I guess they made a good business decision?
A couple of things:
1) I LOVE sports and the Olympics, but I can't envision myself watching this channel for more than a couple hours a month.
2) I feel as though NBC screwed this one up - they already had the Universal Sports channel which I watched a lot during Beijing (for stuff like water polo and volleyball); it seemed only natural that they should have simply turned that into the Olympics channel, or offered to buy the rights to show all the events this new channel will show. Although, after my first response, I guess they made a good business decision?
Health care reform
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/06/01/090601fa_fact_gawande?currentPage=all
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/08/AR2009070802023.html
My take from both articles is that there is a very large concern that doctors are ordering too many tests [or operations]. But being the naive optimist that I am, I am inclined to think they are ordering the tests to protect themselves from the threat of malpractice, rather than ordering tests purely for profit. The mindset would be that ordering an extra test may reveal the 1% of cases where there exists a problem and not ordering the test increases the odds of malpractice by 1%, so a doctor will play it safe and order the test. These additional tests/procedures/operations may be easier and more expensive than a more difficult but less expensive recommendation. (Gastric bypass surgery is easier and more expensive than trying to get a fat person to go on a diet and lose 50 pounds, the harder/cheaper option)
I think this is a huge challenge, because it requires changing the mindset of all doctors out there. The examples presented make it seem that collaboration among doctors may be the single best way for doctors to be comfortable ordering fewer tests. (Both at the Mayo Clinic and the community in Colorado).
So the big question is: How do you make doctors want to collaborate and share information/training/experience/knowledge? I think that is the way to keep costs down. An individual doctor will never see every situation, but if he can ask 100 other doctors about a case and whether he should order a test, he may get enough responses from other doctors who have seen the same symptoms and be able to provide a clue or indicator as to why he shouldn't order the test.
Electronic records is a big step in the right direction.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
My take from both articles is that there is a very large concern that doctors are ordering too many tests [or operations]. But being the naive optimist that I am, I am inclined to think they are ordering the tests to protect themselves from the threat of malpractice, rather than ordering tests purely for profit. The mindset would be that ordering an extra test may reveal the 1% of cases where there exists a problem and not ordering the test increases the odds of malpractice by 1%, so a doctor will play it safe and order the test. These additional tests/procedures/operations may be easier and more expensive than a more difficult but less expensive recommendation. (Gastric bypass surgery is easier and more expensive than trying to get a fat person to go on a diet and lose 50 pounds, the harder/cheaper option)
I think this is a huge challenge, because it requires changing the mindset of all doctors out there. The examples presented make it seem that collaboration among doctors may be the single best way for doctors to be comfortable ordering fewer tests. (Both at the Mayo Clinic and the community in Colorado).
So the big question is: How do you make doctors want to collaborate and share information/training/
Electronic records is a big step in the right direction.
Artest Never Punched Anyone
Remember the Artest Melee? Hard foul, unruly fans, Ron Artest charges into the stands and goes grade-A crazy. Watch the video for a gentle reminder, with stirring narration by ESPN's Mike Breen and Bill Walton.
Royce couldn't believe that Artest was mentioned as "allegedly" punching a fan. My hunch was right: if you look at the video, Artest never lands a punch. It doesn't even really look like he tries to, because as soon as he gets to the offending fan, all hell breaks loose. But, and correct me if I'm wrong, he never punches anyone.
Personally, I feel like I just watched the Zapruder Film for the first time. Artest's entire career to this point has been defined by this incident - and there is little doubt that the incident will define the rest of his career (yes, even if he wins a title with Kobe in LA). When it happened, this was the most egregious case of on-court violence since Kermit Washington sucker-punched Rudy Tomjanovich and almost killed him. You know the rest: suspensions galore, with Artest getting an unprecedented 86-game suspension(remaining 72 regular-season games plus 14 postseason games), and the Pacers were never the same again. But look at the tape again: does he ever hit anyone?
And should that matter?
Royce couldn't believe that Artest was mentioned as "allegedly" punching a fan. My hunch was right: if you look at the video, Artest never lands a punch. It doesn't even really look like he tries to, because as soon as he gets to the offending fan, all hell breaks loose. But, and correct me if I'm wrong, he never punches anyone.
Personally, I feel like I just watched the Zapruder Film for the first time. Artest's entire career to this point has been defined by this incident - and there is little doubt that the incident will define the rest of his career (yes, even if he wins a title with Kobe in LA). When it happened, this was the most egregious case of on-court violence since Kermit Washington sucker-punched Rudy Tomjanovich and almost killed him. You know the rest: suspensions galore, with Artest getting an unprecedented 86-game suspension(remaining 72 regular-season games plus 14 postseason games), and the Pacers were never the same again. But look at the tape again: does he ever hit anyone?
And should that matter?
No Angle
I'm listening the the BS Report with Colin Cowherd (whose radio show is the only other podcast I listen to, so the combination particularly intrigues me)
Simmons mentions that Colin always has an angle and how it's having the angle that makes him relevant and/or interesting. It all comes down to the angle and whether you have an angle and not just throwing stuff out there to see what sticks. You can disagree with everything, but at least his brain will start moving. That's the goal, to get people's brain moving.
My question about Tiger, Phelps, Federer, and Nadal was the stuff trying to stick...there was no angle
Simmons mentions that Colin always has an angle and how it's having the angle that makes him relevant and/or interesting. It all comes down to the angle and whether you have an angle and not just throwing stuff out there to see what sticks. You can disagree with everything, but at least his brain will start moving. That's the goal, to get people's brain moving.
My question about Tiger, Phelps, Federer, and Nadal was the stuff trying to stick...there was no angle
Better at basketball?
Who would be better at basketball? Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal?
Consider that Phelps is 6'4", while the rest are 6'1". Federer and Nadal probably have greater speed and agility. You've never seen Tiger or Phelps run. On the other hand, there's a pretty good chance Tiger and Phelps have played before while Federer and Nadal may have never even touched a basketball.
Consider that Phelps is 6'4", while the rest are 6'1". Federer and Nadal probably have greater speed and agility. You've never seen Tiger or Phelps run. On the other hand, there's a pretty good chance Tiger and Phelps have played before while Federer and Nadal may have never even touched a basketball.
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