Mr. Clinton

Good article on Bill Clinton. here

Million Dollar Mistake?

Here is an excerpt from an article in the current issue of Fortune Magazine. Can anyone guess what the million dollar mistake Sheryl Sandberg made was?

Take the case of Sheryl Sandberg, a 37-year-old vice president whose fiefdom includes the company's automated advertising system. Sandberg recently committed an error that cost Google several million dollars -- "Bad decision, moved too quickly, no controls in place, wasted some money," is all she'll say about it -- and when she realized the magnitude of her mistake, she walked across the street to inform Larry Page, Google's co-founder and unofficial thought leader. "God, I feel really bad about this," Sandberg told Page, who accepted her apology. But as she turned to leave, Page said something that surprised her. "I'm so glad you made this mistake," he said. "Because I want to run a company where we are moving too quickly and doing too much, not being too cautious and doing too little. If we don't have any of these mistakes, we're just not taking enough risk."

If you need a hint please read this previous post: Retired and Back.

Steven Levitt, The Saga Continues, Selling Soap

Even if you are not a student of Economics, you are almost surely familiar with Steven Levitt and his book, Freakonomics. Levitt has assumed a pop star status in the Economics community over the last couple years. While he has mass appeal most of his research is controversial and is heavily criticized.

For those of you that enjoyed his book, check out his latest installment in the NY Times. In this column he discusses hospital hygiene, in particular hand washing. It is an interesting narrative starting with the identification of a problem (low hand washing rates amongst doctors) and ending with the implementation of an ingenious incentive to remedy the problem.

What I found most interesting about this article is the limited scope of the research. The research only covers one hospital, which leaves me thinking that if I go to my local hospital there is a high chance that my doctor will have filthy hands and I probably have a higher chance of contracting more germs in the doctors office than getting cured.

*Here's a video of Levitt explaining his research on crack cocaine and gangs

Happy Friday

I don't know what everyone is doing tonight, but I'm going out with this guy.

Materazzi Commercial

Why aren't we good at math?

Interesting:

The countries that outperform the United States in math and science education have some things in common. They set national priorities for what public school children should learn and when. They also spend a lot of energy ensuring that every school has a high-quality curriculum that is harnessed to clearly articulated national goals. This country, by contrast, has a wildly uneven system of standards and tests that varies from place to place. We are also notoriously susceptible to educational fads.

One of the most infamous fads took root in the late 1980’s, when many schools moved away from traditional mathematics instruction, which required drills and problem solving. The new system, sometimes derided as “fuzzy math,’’ allowed children to wander through problems in a random way without ever learning basic multiplication or division. As a result, mastery of high-level math and science was unlikely. The new math curriculum was a mile wide and an inch deep, as the saying goes, touching on dozens of topics each year.

Many people trace this unfortunate development to a 1989 report by an influential group, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. School districts read its recommendations as a call to reject rote learning. Last week the council reversed itself, laying out new recommendations that will focus on a few basic skills at each grade level.

This explains why I'm having trouble with my multivariate calc, and linear algebra/differential equations classes. I definetly feel like a victim of "fuzzy math" and lack certain basic problem solving skills.

Swedes Might Have to Work

Last night Sweden got a new leader. The Moderate Party defeated the Social Democrats, taking the Social Dems out of power for the first time in 12 years. The Moderats ran on a platform of revising stagnate labor policies which encourage many people to drop out of the workforce. I wanted to hold off on blogging about this issue until doing further research, but the following exerpt from an NY Times article was way too funny.

Magnus Rosander, a 44-year-old computer engineer who said he had a nervous breakdown after losing his job four years ago and had not worked since, said he had voted for the Social Democrats and was worried about what would happen under the Moderates.

“I’m dependent on social welfare,” Mr. Rosander said outside a subway station in central Stockholm. “If Fredrik Reinfeldt wins, we will get less money and he will force me to work even though my doctor says I’m not ready yet.”

God forbid Mr. Rosander might have to work.

IMF reshuffle

Meeting in Singapore this week, the IMF and world finance ministers have approved changes in the fund's voting structure. The stated purpose of the reshuffling is to give developing economies a greater say and more voting power in the fund. The largest benificiaries of this move will be China, South Korea and Turkey.

These changes were met with opposition by a group led by Brazil, Argentina, Egypt and India, who collectively released a statement saying

"The position is clearly unacceptable as it further erodes the credibility and legitimacy of the IMF. The disturbing picture that emerges is that some developing countries will be given increases by reducing shares of some other equally deserving countries."

While creating an equatable voting structure is obviously important for a democratic institution, there remain much greater issues to address. Over the last 5 years the global economy has for the most part been stable, meaning the IMF has been idle. The IMF should seek to renew its mission and develop a plan in which it can play a part in stimulating further growth in developing economies rather than just playing the role of lender of last resort.

Hyphy Movement genius

The hyphy movement has once again proven its genius. Mistah F.A.B (foreva after bread) recently released a single titled "ghostride it" in which he samples the ghostbusters theme song in a descriptive ballad about ghostriding. Mistah F.A.B. is seemingly tapping into our generations nascient memories of the ghostbusters trilogy. Now imagine what Mistah F.A.B would be doing with all this creativity if the Oakland public school system had provided him with a formal education. Listen to the song here.

Keynesian Freedom

5 years after the hole at ground zero was created the federal and New York state governments are taking a keynesian step to help fill it up. From the NY times:

The agreements, which would cover about 1 million of the 2.6 million square feet in the building, are a significant step forward in the development of the tower, which is seen by Gov. George E. Pataki and others as a symbol of the city’s resilience, but regarded by some critics as folly.

My favorite features of the project proposal are a) the name, "Freedom Tower", which sounds like something a ficticious George Bush cartoon character would come up with b) the fact that the tower is being artifically rigged through the installment of an antenna extension to be 1,776 feet tall. This thing is just going to be oozing freedom.

The Invasion of Iran

The Bush administration is showing a bit more prudence in their campaign to thwart Iran's action as an "evil doer". Yesterday U.S. treasury secretary, Henry Paulson, made a statement encouraging top finance officials to limit or completely bar Iranian access to their financial institutions. From the NY Times:

The United States pressed the top finance officials of the worldÂ’s leading industrial nations on Saturday to crack down on what Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. said was the exploitation of their banking systems by at least 30 Iranian front companies involved in illicit activities.

Iran is also accused of transferring funds to Hezbollah and other Islamic militant organizations through regular commercial banks.

Last week, in what administration officials call a major escalation in the effort to squeeze Iran economically, the Treasury Department announced that Bank Saderat, a major bank in Iran, would no longer have even indirect access to the United States financial system.

Hopefully this isn't a pre-emption of a pre-emptive attack on Iran.

Drinking, a good career move

A study concludes that drinking will increase your earnings. Brought to my attention by a faithful Le Monde de C-Ron reader.

People who consume alcohol earn significantly more at their jobs than non-drinkers, according to a US study that highlighted "social capital" gained from drinking.

The study published in the Journal of Labor Research Thursday concluded that drinkers earn 10 to 14 percent more than teetotalers, and that men who drink socially bring home an additional seven percent in pay.

Don't Be Evil?

With Al Gore on their Board, employee incentives to purchase hybrid vehicles, and shuttle service from Davos, Switzerland to San Francisco provided for San Francisco's rockstar mayor, Gavin Newsom, this move looks like Google's first towards supporting the Republican party. Here's an excerpt from an article in today's SF Chronicle.

Under fire on Capitol Hill, Google Inc. has boosted its political muscle by creating its first political action committee while taking steps to reach out to Republicans.

Google's move is somewhat uncharacteristic given its independent streak, down to its corporate motto, "Don't be evil." But as the company has grown into a major presence in U.S. business it has been thrust into political debates on which ride tens of millions of dollars in revenue.

When will Google stop masquerading behind its "don't be evil", hip corporate image and admit that it is naturally progressing towards becoming just another multi-national with it's own adgenda that often has to make "evil" moves in order to look out for it's best interest?

The Ruler's Back

On the same day I announced my triumphant return to the blogosphere, the king of hip-hop, Jay-z, announced his return to the mic. After forays into politics (the UN) and corporate america (president of Def Jam), it's about time. Here's an excerpt from the Entertainment Weekly article that broke the news.

This fall Jay-Z will release a new CD, Kingdom Come? ''It was the worst retirement, maybe, in history,'' he admits. And then he launches into an impromptu a cappella preview of the title track, which was inspired by a 1996 comic in which Superman comes out of retirement to save the world. The lyrics that effortlessly roll off his tongue may help explain his return: ''Take off the blazer/Loosen up the tie/Step inside the booth/Superman is alive!''

Retired and Back

Faithful readers, I apologize for my prolonged absence. After an 8 month stint in the California penal system.... I mean in corporate America, I have retired to pursue other goals. This is good news for you, the reader. I should have more time and motivation to blog. As an aperitif please read the piece below.

Economics of Al Qaeda

In the 9/11 issue of the New Yorker an interesting article titled “The Master Plan” outlines Al Qaeda’s and more generally radical Islamist’s ideological strategy. Towards the end the author maps out a six phase plan, as prescribed by jihad theorist Fouad Hussein. The plan begins with “the awakening” (9/11) and culminates with “total confrontation” in 2020 at which point we better be ready to experience “real terrorism”. While the threat of terrorism from any number of Muslim terrorist cells is very real, many parts of this plan seemed delusional.

Having read an article outlining the real economic effects of 9/11 two days ago, my favorite part of Hussein’s plan has to do with its intelligent economic component. In phase three (2013) Hussein predicts that “Al Qaeda will have completed its electronic capabilities, and it will be time to use them to launch electronic attacks to undermine the U.S. economy.” This statement is absurd on multiple levels, primarily since the most popular college major in the Muslim world is theology. Increasing “electronic capabilities” would suggest either an increase in Muslim expertise in the fields of mathematics and engineering or the ability to attract foreign experts in the field. Even if there is a large spike in electrical engineering and computer science enrollment in Muslim universities between now and 2013, the promise of heaven in the afterlife will not reverse the brain drain that sucks the best and brightest engineering minds in the world to Silicon Valley.

The second part of their economic plan, which coincides with the above paragraph, is to “promote the idea of using gold as the international medium of exchange, leading to the collapse of the dollar”. This statement once again highlights the deficiencies associated with having a population hyper-educated in religious studies. It doesn’t take too much digging to find a textbook about a) World War I b) the Great Depression or c) International Monetary Flows. Before modern day exchange rates were set by market forces of supply and demand, they were governed by the exchange of gold and a subsequent gold standard whereby a percentage of a country’s fiat currency was backed by solid gold. This system depended on international peace, cooperation, and willingness to support neighbors in times of need, which completely conflicts with Al Qaeda’s plan. If Al Qaeda was successful in reviving some sort of gold standard during its so called phase three, it would certainly see its demise during their purposed stage six which implies the onset of World War III.

To make matters worse, one of the economic effects of 9/11, as outlined in the previously mentioned article, was an increase in market particants’ risk aversion and a subsequent increase in safe assets such as GOLD. So, what’s the point of my drivel? If Mr. Bush and his super-rich cronies want to prevent Al Qaeda from becoming a player in the global economy they need to artificially distort the price of gold to make it unattainable as a reserve currency for the proposed Islamic caliphate. On the other hand, if Al Qaeda is serious about dabbling in world markets they should lay down their guns, creating a more stable investment climate, thus diverting cash away from gold and sending the pice back down.

Tupac's death turns 10

It's been 10 years since the death of Pac and and his legend still reigns supreme. Here's what the Washington post had to say about him

10 years after Shakur died on Sept. 13, 1996, the victim of a drive-by shooting, no rapper is as complex, as multifaceted, as challenging. A handsome and charismatic actor, a violent felon, a brilliant songwriter, a reckless celebrity, a misogynist and a visionary _ Shakur still fascinates from the grave.

He is also one of the only rappers that has had the ability to seemingly cross race, age and music-taste boundaries. Here's another article and sound bite from NPR. R.I.P. PAC!!!

GREMIO CAMPEAO GAUCHO 2006

GREMIO just won the 2006 GAUCHAO (rio grande do sul state championship)... While this is only a regional tournament it is still very important because it shows our superiority over our archrival Internacional.

DÁ-LHE GRÊMIO QUERIDO!

DÁ-LHE GRÊMIO CAMPEÓN!

DA LIBERTADORES...

E DO MUNDIAL!

GRÊMIO CAMPEÃO GAÚCHO 2006

Mais uma vez a raça e a tradição do tricolor prevaleceram, e no momento em que foi nesseçário aquele algo mais... Como sempre, o Interegional não o teve! E justamente por isso eu não vejo a mínima possibilidade do colorado ser Campeão da América.

GRÊMIO CAMPEÃO DO MUNDO

"NADA PODE SER MAIOR"

The Proud Gaucho Tradition

written by Diogo Silva




Intro by C-Ron

This is a piece I commissioned Diogo Silva to write with the objective of globally broadcasting the ideals and traditions of the southern brazilian people. Here in North America Brazil is often perceived as the land of soccer and carnival, in this piece diogo displays a different side of Brazil, one that involves a politically conscience public that has fought hard to defend the ideals of equality, freedom, and hard work.


THE LONGEST REPUBLICAN REVOLUTION CONFRONTED BY THE EMPIRE

"On septemper the 20th of 2005 we celebrated 170 years of the begining of "Revolução Farroupilha" or Tatters Revolution, that during ten years, confronted the powerfull brazilian Empire - centralizated and sypmathetic towards slavery - and defended the flags of the Republic and the Federation. In the same way, this date marked the 160 years of the end of this bloody war and the pacification of Rio Grande do Sul."

POLITICAL ECONOMICAL AND SOCIAL ROOTS ON THE REVOLUTION

During this time "The center of the country, profited from a monopoly on coffee production and high export prices. Here, in the south we were forced to produce "charque"(dried meat) to feed the Northerners slaves. The president of the province was named by Rio de Janeiro, and governed on the interests of those who planted coffee, that marginalized political and economicaly the "Gaúchos". At the same time, the expansionist interests of the province made Rio Grande do Sul a constant battlefield against our neighbors, Argentina and Urugauy, which hampered our economic output. The government also placed economic constraints on the few goods we were able to produce, we paid 25% tax on our "charque" production while Uruguay only paid 4% tax. In 1835 they made even more taxes on spur, stirrup and rum. With this oppression from the federal government Rio Grande do Sul became a stronghold for republican ideas combined with federalists aspirations, as was the case in other provinces. Other provinces had Revolutions that began almost at the same time as Revolução Farroupilha as "Confederação do Equador"(1824), Balaiada(1830), Cabanagem(1835), Sabinada(1837) and Rebeliões Liberais of São Paulo and Minas Gerais(1842). All those factors lead to the revolt of september the 20th."

Read more on:

http://www.riogrande.com.br/historia/revol.htm

I Hope you can make a good use of this information and start to see why the Brazilian "gaúchos" are the way we are!

Abração my friends!

Diogo

I'm not going to jail

Dear Cameron Morris,

Congratulations! You have completed and passed our traffic school final exam. You scored 92% on your exam taken on 03/26/2006. Your certificate will be sent directly to the court. You are NOT required to do anything. A confirmation via email will be sent to you when your certificate is sent out to the court.