Choosing Between Two Unattractive Options

06.12.2009

Catching up on the news, I discovered this tidbit in the WSJ (full article behind subscriber wall):
The use of company-issued mobile phones could trigger new federal income taxes on millions of Americans as a “fringe benefit.”
The Internal Revenue Service proposed employers assign 25% of an employee’s annual phone expenses as a taxable benefit. Under that [...]

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Staying Open to Daydreams

06.10.2009

I spend more time daydreaming than I like to admit. Subjects range from the everyday—what an upcoming trip to Seattle will be like—to the absurd—when I win the lottery…
While knowing I’m not the only one to engage in this secret delight, I also feel a trifle sheepish for wasting time thinking about things that are [...]

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Funemployment

06.08.2009

Via Virginia Postrel, I discovered an article in the LA Times about “funemployment:”
While millions of Americans struggle to find work as they face foreclosures and bankruptcy, others have found a silver lining in the economic meltdown. These happily jobless tend to be single and in their 20s and 30s. Some were laid off. Some quit [...]

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Building a World In Your Image

06.05.2009

Do younger generations (Y, Millennial, et. al.) have what it takes to succeed? During the last two weeks, I’ve thought about this question as I’ve ended up in a couple of conversations about my generation (X), and the generations that come after me (Y, Millennials, etc.).
Disclaimer: These conversations took place using generalities. I know not [...]

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Bold Words Refocused

06.02.2009

My silence the last two months isn’t a reflection of not having anything to say. Instead, the last two months have been filled with an internal debate about whether there was value in continuing to share what’s on my mind. To that end, I’ve changed a few things that I hope will improve this blog [...]

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March Madness

03.31.2009

March has proven a crazy month. Between work, travel, and illness, I’ve had little time to write. However, I’ve been doing a lot watching and listening.
I’m baffled.
We seem to have lost our collective minds.
The country was so outraged over bonuses paid to AIG that Congress responded by proposing a 90% tax. Never mind that the [...]

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Graphics Novels, Politics, and Tropicana

03.04.2009

I have an ongoing debate with a friend about the value of graphic novels (aka book-length comics). He lured me in initially with V for Vendetta and added to my collection with a gift of Watchmen and Y: The Last Man. I’ve read the first two, but haven’t gotten to the latter.
Perhaps I’m a snob, [...]

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The 99 Percent Trap

02.17.2009

Over at Boing Boing, Mark Frauenfelder re-posted a book review by Kevin Kelly on The Deniers, a book that reviews the arguments of scientists who question global warming. This post comes a few weeks after a series of guest posts by Charles Platt that questioned the validity of global warming. As the days go by, [...]

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Bad Science Language

02.11.2009

Language in science is a challenge. Science comes with gray areas that both intrigue and confuse.  Getting it right every time is unlikely, making science a perfect example of ongoing thought evolution. However, few things make me more angry than when science is twisted to suit agendas. Consider the case of Dr. Andrew Wakefield:
The doctor [...]

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From Where Do You Seek Knowledge

02.09.2009

Too often, I fail to acknowledge how lucky I am to know everything I do. I have access to resources that even 50 years ago weren’t readily available in local libraries let alone in the comfort of my home via computer. Beyond easy access, there’s the sheer volume of knowledge that’s accumulated over the years. [...]

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