Peter Thiel's Graph of the Year
It speaks for itself.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
I Love British Teenagers!
"What we've learned from working with 16-18 year olds in the UK is that Facebook is not just on the slide, it is basically dead and buried," Daniel Miller, professor of material culture at University College London, writes in a blog post. "Mostly they feel embarrassed even to be associated with it."Hope.
Income Inequality
Not sure whether it's relevant or silly to discuss income inequality and racial preference with regard to the NBA.
Not sure whether it's relevant or silly to discuss income inequality and racial preference with regard to the NBA.
Sunday, December 29, 2013
"Meritocracy"
JP Morgan hired the sons and daughters of the Chinese elite.
I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of this.
JP Morgan hired the sons and daughters of the Chinese elite.
I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot more of this.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Ouch
An open letter shaming Leo and Marty for The Wolf of Wall Street.
This is a tough position. I'm sympathetic to what the woman is saying and yet, it's a movie. If you start talking about the victims of real-life stories and glamorization and all this stuff, you'd never make any movies based on real-life stories and boy, would they be boring. You'd also be without any good crime drama. We wouldn't have Goodfellas, The Godfather.
That said, I really didn't like The Wolf of Wall Street and cannot understand how it is topping a lot of "best-of" lists. I couldn't wait for it to be over.
An open letter shaming Leo and Marty for The Wolf of Wall Street.
This is a tough position. I'm sympathetic to what the woman is saying and yet, it's a movie. If you start talking about the victims of real-life stories and glamorization and all this stuff, you'd never make any movies based on real-life stories and boy, would they be boring. You'd also be without any good crime drama. We wouldn't have Goodfellas, The Godfather.
That said, I really didn't like The Wolf of Wall Street and cannot understand how it is topping a lot of "best-of" lists. I couldn't wait for it to be over.
Monday, December 23, 2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013
How Did I Miss This?
Luis Suarez bites Ivanovic. Boy, that's a pretty strange thing to watch. I hope Uraguay is in the World Cup.
Luis Suarez bites Ivanovic. Boy, that's a pretty strange thing to watch. I hope Uraguay is in the World Cup.
Football
Arizona beats Seattle. I can't tell whether this is good or bad for the Niners. On the one hand, dealing a loss to our archrivals at home is good. Punctures their balloon (and I believe Seattle is a bubble just waiting to burst with their overly aggressive defense that holds and pass interferes almost every play and their systematic use of major PEDs). On the other hand, this leaves Arizona in a position to still knock the Niners out of the playoffs and to make the already competitive NFC West even more competitive. There could be three 11 win teams! And the Rams are no slouches either - they might even get to .500.
Maybe the best thing out of it is a model to contain Russell Wilson. I've always thought you need to design a defense to not let him out of the pocket and use the large arms of defensive to cut down his vision and throwing lanes. I didn't watch the whole game, but whatever Arizona did should be repeated.
Arizona beats Seattle. I can't tell whether this is good or bad for the Niners. On the one hand, dealing a loss to our archrivals at home is good. Punctures their balloon (and I believe Seattle is a bubble just waiting to burst with their overly aggressive defense that holds and pass interferes almost every play and their systematic use of major PEDs). On the other hand, this leaves Arizona in a position to still knock the Niners out of the playoffs and to make the already competitive NFC West even more competitive. There could be three 11 win teams! And the Rams are no slouches either - they might even get to .500.
Maybe the best thing out of it is a model to contain Russell Wilson. I've always thought you need to design a defense to not let him out of the pocket and use the large arms of defensive to cut down his vision and throwing lanes. I didn't watch the whole game, but whatever Arizona did should be repeated.
Then Why Do You Ask?
A&E and others in the media are super offended by the Duck Dynasty dude who said homosexuality is a sin. These folks "respect" his right to free speech, but of course, want his job. They make hand-over-fist money displaying these kooky people and then are offended when he says kooky things. Really? And didn't GQ pose the question? It's not like the guy took a bullhorn in order to make this point, it was asked of him. Very clumsy and strange.
A&E and others in the media are super offended by the Duck Dynasty dude who said homosexuality is a sin. These folks "respect" his right to free speech, but of course, want his job. They make hand-over-fist money displaying these kooky people and then are offended when he says kooky things. Really? And didn't GQ pose the question? It's not like the guy took a bullhorn in order to make this point, it was asked of him. Very clumsy and strange.
Friday, December 20, 2013
Kobe
Interesting discussion on Kobe's contract on the Brian Windhorst podcast with Chuck Klosterman. Hat tip, Andy.
Klosterman brings up some good points about the state of the NBA and how much talk is centered around the finances and the friendships of the players and the behind-the-scenes maneuvering. I tend to agree with him that I find all these topics unappealing, yet, a major part of the conversation. You can thank fantasy sports.
They frame the overall discussion in an interesting way -- and how the NBA is now a players league and the NFL is a management league -- and what that means to whom. Just an all-in-all interesting talk.
Regarding Kobe's contract - and now he's injured again - I sense most people are just disposed to liking or disliking it based on how they feel about Kobe already. I'm not a fan and it's been well documented on the blog. I think the contract is stupid, above all else, gives the Lakers little chance to win in the next couple years. Whether Kobe deserves the money -- I sort of don't particularly care -- and the question almost doesn't seem all that relevant. I think Kobe's been a master of self-promotion over the years and has an almost cult-like following. I think he's the most overrated of the major stars in any sport.
Interesting discussion on Kobe's contract on the Brian Windhorst podcast with Chuck Klosterman. Hat tip, Andy.
Klosterman brings up some good points about the state of the NBA and how much talk is centered around the finances and the friendships of the players and the behind-the-scenes maneuvering. I tend to agree with him that I find all these topics unappealing, yet, a major part of the conversation. You can thank fantasy sports.
They frame the overall discussion in an interesting way -- and how the NBA is now a players league and the NFL is a management league -- and what that means to whom. Just an all-in-all interesting talk.
Regarding Kobe's contract - and now he's injured again - I sense most people are just disposed to liking or disliking it based on how they feel about Kobe already. I'm not a fan and it's been well documented on the blog. I think the contract is stupid, above all else, gives the Lakers little chance to win in the next couple years. Whether Kobe deserves the money -- I sort of don't particularly care -- and the question almost doesn't seem all that relevant. I think Kobe's been a master of self-promotion over the years and has an almost cult-like following. I think he's the most overrated of the major stars in any sport.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Niner-Tampa Bay Impressions
Mike Glennon is like Colin Kaepernick without the running ability. Takes similarly long to read defenses and throw the ball. Big disadvantage.
Helps to have Crabtree back. Very nice work on the first touchdown.
Boldin has to be the Niners offensive MVP this year. He converts a hell of a lot of 3rd downs.
What a letdown at the end of the half. Could have put the game away, instead allowed a touchdown.
Is Revis good anymore?
Mike Glennon is like Colin Kaepernick without the running ability. Takes similarly long to read defenses and throw the ball. Big disadvantage.
Helps to have Crabtree back. Very nice work on the first touchdown.
Boldin has to be the Niners offensive MVP this year. He converts a hell of a lot of 3rd downs.
What a letdown at the end of the half. Could have put the game away, instead allowed a touchdown.
Is Revis good anymore?
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Population Questions
1. What is the third largest country in the world by population?
2. What country has a larger population - Pakistan or Nigeria?
3. If Pakistan and India were one country, would it be larger than China?
4. Does France or Iran have more people?
5. What country in the Middle East has the most people?
6. Who has more people Japan or Germany?
7. Who has more people - Russia or Bangladesh?
Answers in comments.
1. What is the third largest country in the world by population?
2. What country has a larger population - Pakistan or Nigeria?
3. If Pakistan and India were one country, would it be larger than China?
4. Does France or Iran have more people?
5. What country in the Middle East has the most people?
6. Who has more people Japan or Germany?
7. Who has more people - Russia or Bangladesh?
Answers in comments.
Practice What You Preach
A bunch of New York professionals are disappointed to learn their health insurance plans are being cancelled and they will pay more in the exchanges. And they are Obama people.
Uhh...yeah...that's the whole idea of health care reform -- those who can pay more for the sick and the poor. This is what it means to be a liberal.
A bunch of New York professionals are disappointed to learn their health insurance plans are being cancelled and they will pay more in the exchanges. And they are Obama people.
Uhh...yeah...that's the whole idea of health care reform -- those who can pay more for the sick and the poor. This is what it means to be a liberal.
Friday, December 13, 2013
Pick of the Week
Nine home underdogs in the betting lines this week! A home dog's dream come true.
I am fascinated by the Niners-Tampa Bay game. This is a real test of how someone views the world. In the study of history, the two major schools can basically be broken down into: 1) Historical Movements or 2) The Great Man theory. In the "Historical Movement" school, great big complicated forces move history and men and women are largely products of their time and their actions exist and matter only in the context and relationship to this larger forces at work. So, for instance, the American Civil War can be viewed as the inevitable clash between the realities of Southern slavery with the values espoused in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, combined with economic and social forces coming to a head at that particular moment. In the "Great Man" theory of history, individual people shape history by their choices and actions in a particular moment. You would view the American Civil War as the result of Lincoln's attitudes toward slavery mixed with his political skill and/or the follies of the Southern Leadership and the conduct of the war more about major choices made by Generals, etc.
The Niners-Tampa game is a classic "trap" game for the Niners. Coming off a big, emotional win against Seattle, they have to travel cross country for a 10am game against a sneaky good Tampa Bay team. On the flipside is Harbaugh. Harbaugh does not lose games against bad teams. The Niners are rarely unprepared (except, oddly, in the Super Bowl, NFC Championship game last year and against Seattle in Seattle -- although I attribute those to nerves rather than lack of prep). So...the question is...do you believe in trends (ie trap games) or individuals (Harbaugh's ability to keep his team focused)?
Right now, I lean toward individuals and am picking Harbaugh.
Nine home underdogs in the betting lines this week! A home dog's dream come true.
I am fascinated by the Niners-Tampa Bay game. This is a real test of how someone views the world. In the study of history, the two major schools can basically be broken down into: 1) Historical Movements or 2) The Great Man theory. In the "Historical Movement" school, great big complicated forces move history and men and women are largely products of their time and their actions exist and matter only in the context and relationship to this larger forces at work. So, for instance, the American Civil War can be viewed as the inevitable clash between the realities of Southern slavery with the values espoused in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, combined with economic and social forces coming to a head at that particular moment. In the "Great Man" theory of history, individual people shape history by their choices and actions in a particular moment. You would view the American Civil War as the result of Lincoln's attitudes toward slavery mixed with his political skill and/or the follies of the Southern Leadership and the conduct of the war more about major choices made by Generals, etc.
The Niners-Tampa game is a classic "trap" game for the Niners. Coming off a big, emotional win against Seattle, they have to travel cross country for a 10am game against a sneaky good Tampa Bay team. On the flipside is Harbaugh. Harbaugh does not lose games against bad teams. The Niners are rarely unprepared (except, oddly, in the Super Bowl, NFC Championship game last year and against Seattle in Seattle -- although I attribute those to nerves rather than lack of prep). So...the question is...do you believe in trends (ie trap games) or individuals (Harbaugh's ability to keep his team focused)?
Right now, I lean toward individuals and am picking Harbaugh.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Why Aren't Americans Moving?
I'd guess because the rents are too damn high and too much of our "wealth" is concentrated in homes.
If you live in a lower-value real estate area, you have little incentive to move to a higher value area, even for a better job opportunity because your standard of living may still drop.
I'd guess because the rents are too damn high and too much of our "wealth" is concentrated in homes.
If you live in a lower-value real estate area, you have little incentive to move to a higher value area, even for a better job opportunity because your standard of living may still drop.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)