Adventures with Irrationality

Adventures with Space Law

2011-11-26T19:22:00.002-07:00

Greetings all:

Space law is something that captured my fancy me since I discovered that it was, in fact, real. In an international law class I took in Vienna in 2006, my professor took us on a tour of the UN Headquarters there. The complex housed, among other agencies, the Office for Outer Space Affairs. Now that I am in law school, I've started a fruitful Space Law Society and brought a Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court team to the Sturm College of Law. I've been extremely fortunate to be able to pursue my interests in law school.

As Law Review member, I have been charged with writing blurbs for the Law Review's Online Supplement. This venue let me explore some of my pet interests; in this case, space law and economic development. Those are not necessarily subjects that receive treatment together. But, in fact, there is room for much work with the developing world through the lens of space exploration. The international legal regime governing outer space actually encourages that.

But, let me not rehash the article here. Why don't you read my posting on the Denver University Law Review Online Supplement?

Adventures with the Law Review

2011-08-23T10:52:00.000-06:00

This summer, I "wrote on" to the Denver University Law Review. The process was long and arduous, but my hard work paid off. This prestigious position, however, does not come without its costs. I'll be spending the semester doing "cite and source" checks on articles submitted to our journal.

It is not all work, though. There is fun involved. In that vein, I shall share with you my letter of interest to be the 2011-2012 "Soda Editor." It is a role most esteemed and coveted (so they tell me). And I was struck with an inspiration and a vision that I will now share with you.

Application for the Law Review Role Most Esteemed, that of Soda Editor

Dear Board:

I write this application sitting in the Law Review office thinking about the awesome task before me - wondering how I will make it through. I gaze about the room, first to the picture of Justice O'Connor, then to President Obama... to the photographs of boards past; the rows of books, binders, and learned treatises... out the window to the students passing by. As I return my gaze to my computer screen, I see a humble brown box by the door, and my heart is warmed. A refrigerator. And not just any refrigerator. On reserved for soda only. No food, the sign commands me, soda only. I open the little brown box, hoping for a liquid treat. The flood of cool air washes over my shins. Peering in, however, I see white shelves and an over-frozen freezer. No cans. No liquids. No food.

Let me tell you the vision I have for this little brown box. I see shelves full of soda. Of pop. Of "Coke." Soda for everyone, no matter your geographic proclivities. Under my tutelage, the fridge will be full of not just the classics (and, of course, the Diet Cherry Pepsis). But I see a resurgence of sodas obscure and varied. Perhaps one day, in an almost-lost nook in the fridge, you will see a Dr. Thunder. Curious, you will pick it up, deposit your $.50, and pop the top to reveal the flavors inside. Maybe you are thirsty, but not in the mood for a sugary soda. You may find a refreshing, crisp fizzy water inside. Who knows? In a sentence, I see a refrigerator stocked with the classics, yet always willing to help you venture outside of the soda box - a welcome friend who keeps you on your toes.

I, therefore, humbly implore you to consider my vision when selecting this year's Soda Editor.

Best regards,
Dan

Thoughts on Branding

2011-03-12T18:13:00.000-07:00

As I transition into a Professional, I have to think about what this means. I've worked in a social media environment and have seen enough of those presentations to know that savvy professionals these days "brand" themselves. What does this mean?

Although I am wearing a cowboy hat as I write this, I assume this means I don't need to take a piece of hot metal to my hide. Though, the ideas in principle are the same. Associate and cover yourself with what you are good at, what interests you, and what exactly you do. Get some nice business cards printed up, make the 'networking' circuits, and talk to and learn from as many people as you can. That sounds like exactly what I've been doing. However, branding it is not. Unless I want to brand myself as the ever curious 1L. It's effective now, for sure, but will not serve me much longer.

"Brand management" is another term I hear in those social media circles. The concept makes me laugh because it invokes the idea of a walking advertisement. From what I understand, effective brand management sterilizes one's personality and transforms a person into a walking, talking billboard. Clean up your twitters, de-tag and delete all your facebook pictures, become the business. Doesn't sound like fun. People are individuals for a reason; we're all entitled to have some quirks. I, personally, find that charming.

Let me try this out:

I, Dan St. John, will be the foremost authority on Space Law. Yes, it's partly because I watched too much Star Trek as a child, wanted to be an astronaut but had heart surgery, and looking at the stars still gives me chills. But also it's because the field is relatively untested, poised for growth, and the problems presented are utterly fascinating. I like challenges that have no easy answer - that's why I'm attracted to public international law. Good. And no, you can't find me on facebook.

Local Beer for a Local Team

2010-06-07T14:41:00.000-06:00

In solidarity with my favorite brewery, I contributed to a letter writing campaign to solicit the local baseball team to serve local brews in the stadium.

An open letter to the Reno Aces regarding the inclusion of local beer, namely that of the Buckbean Brewing Company, in the stadium's bars and beer dispensaries:

I am a proud Northern Nevadan and was overjoyed to hear that we were finally going to get a local baseball team. The stadium has revitalized a portion of the city that certainly needed the help; the Freight House District The Aces have been great for Reno; the sense of community pride and a rallying point was much needed. The community has been receptive to the team and has lent their support to the Aces.

So, it seems to me that in order to foster this sense of community and to strengthen that support, it would be in everyone's best interest to carry more local products and support local business. I write now in support of the Buckbean Brewery, a company that has been passionately active in the local community through volunteerism and charity. I, as would many others in Reno, would love to see this fine local brew on tap. Beyond this, any way to bring in local companies would be looked upon favorably by Reno residents.

Thank you for your time, and go Aces!
-Dan St. John

This is the response the Aces have given me:

Dan:

Thank you for your message, and your interest in our ballclub.

The Reno Aces Baseball Club takes pride in supporting local companies and helping sustain the Northern Nevada economy. In fact, many of the beers offered inside Aces Ballpark are distributed by local companies. These distributors are key elements of our local economy, and we proudly support them.

We recognize Buckbean beer and its place in the Northern Nevada market. Because of this, we proudly serve Buckbean at the brand-new, downtown Freight House District. Not only can you enjoy a Buckbean before, during or after any game at Aces Ballpark, but the Freight House District offers this beverage 365 days a year.

We look forward to seeing you at Aces Ballpark and the Freight House District very soon.

-Reno Aces

Now, all I have to do is go to a game and savor a Black Noddy as my Aces win another game!

Awakening of a Young Boy

2010-04-07T13:06:00.000-06:00

An experiment in 'poetry.'

The little boy is all grown up now.
He looks so handsome in his daddy's old suit,
The perfect picture of a Gentleman, his mother says.
With the jacket draped over his shoulders
Like a blanket thrown over a cat...
He's unhappy,
There's just nothing he can do about it.

Arriving at the dress-up party, he feels out of place.
All the little children ensconced in their finest attire.
Slurping tea from fine china - the facade of formality.
Discussing their IRAs or the latest tech gossip.
Do they really care? wonders the little boy.
Can this be real - are we all grown and mature?
Where is the fun, the excitement, the real connection?
I want to play, to run, and to wonder.
To tear off my great coat and breathe unencumbered.

Why are we here feigning maturity?
Can't I slip out and fade in obscurity?

The girls all dressed up to the nines.
Trying to seem like perfect young wives.
The boys in their suits; who are they fooling?
Thinking some clothes can hide their true nature,
When just yesterday I saw them, hair mussed and drooling.

Why do they do this? Why do they care?
It's all just like play time, but without all the fun.
We're acting like strangers, and of this I'll have none.
Sit me at home with my friends and a brew,
And I'll be content with my own, special few.

And now it is over - the masquerade is finished.
The buses are here, the clock's just struck done.
To our houses, apartments, and rooms we retire.
To take off our masks and resume our persona.
It was fun while it lasted, but next time remember:
I'd rather be flying, or skiing, or hiking.

Remember, inconsistency is the mark of greatness, laziness, or stream of consciousness.

Dan St. John is an international relator and economist by training, meaning that he, as of yet, has no marketable skills. His genius is inherent in his muses: angst, his life's experiences, and the empty, blocked out time a job with the US Census offers . Born from a desire to be a "writer," but without the ambition because many other things interest me much more. Be gentle.

Belgium Divides

2010-04-01T13:13:00.000-06:00

As it is April Fools' Day, I was looking through the 100 Greatest Hoaxes. Now, no one can forget the 1957 Swiss Bumper Spaghetti Crop - where Brits were fooled due to the 'exotic' nature of spaghetti in 1950s Britain. But this one here really gets me, simply for the rival paper's response:

#90: Belgium Divides
The London Times reported in 1992 that formal negotiations were underway to divide Belgium in half. The Dutch-speaking north would join the Netherlands and the French-speaking south would join France. An editorial in the paper then lamented that, "The fun will go from that favorite parlor game: Name five famous Belgians." The report apparently fooled the British foreign office minister Tristan Garel-Jones who almost went on a TV interview prepared to discuss this "important" story. The Belgian embassy also received numerous calls from journalists and expatriate Belgians seeking to confirm the news. A rival paper later criticized the prank, declaring that, "The Times's effort could only be defined as funny if you find the very notion of Belgium hilarious."

That's right, the London Times finds the 'very notion of Belgium hilarious.' I know I sure do.

I am also partial to Topeka.com's recent name change.

What's your favorite April Fools' Day prank, story, or memory?

Thoughts on Signing Day

2010-03-06T20:37:00.000-07:00

Let's talk college sports. Signing Day, specifically. When an athlete announces the team he'll play for, everyone gets dressed up and we hold a press conference and hand out shirts and hats. This happens both when high schoolers come to college, and again when they graduate to the pros. And we love this tradition; the celebration of an individual's talents being added to a larger pool of professionals where it can best be leveraged. And this brings me to my point:

I want a Signing Day of my own! Over the last few months I have been preparing myself for the ordeals of law school. Like an athlete, I have been training and now is the time when I need to decide which school, which team, can best leverage my unique talents and interests in an environment that will best foster my success. While footballers visit the gym to fine tune their muscles, I spend time in the library reading to hone my mind. When visiting these schools, I'm trying to find an environment that can best prepare me for professional success. Basically, I'm looking for the right team.

We professional students have worked just as hard in our academic careers as athletes work in their sports careers. I'd like a day to tout our talents and successes. A day to celebrate the journey that brought us to where we are now. A time to enjoy having made a difficult and vitally important decision.

Or maybe I just don't want to spend $55 on a sweatshirt.

So, when does life really begin?

2010-02-23T07:34:00.000-07:00

I once famously told a group of high schoolers that they were not real people. This may not have been the best move on my part, as I was a Director of the USC College Ambassadors program acting in an official capacity. But I was asked a question and I answered candidly.

This brings me to my father. Whenever I become philosophical on my life's situation, we have a conversation that always starts something like this:

Me: "Well, this isn't real life. Things will be different once I am out of school and have a job."
Dad: "Danny, it's all real life..."

Agree to Disagree?

My position is based solely on my experience. Growing up in a tiny village, going to a bubble of a university, traveling the world, and then returning to live at home while preparing for law school. From this, I feel that I have not yet entered that fabled "real life." The key to the real life is ultimate freedom of choice and action. Without being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want, what you can get from life is limited. Any restriction limits the ability to act independently, and independence it the key to a full life.

So here is a list of prerequisites:

Terminal degree: School, although valuable, limits your ability to control what you do.

Yes, I know that a job is basically the same thing. See below.

Financial self-sufficiency: When you rely on yourself, you do what you please without negative consequence.

No, I don't think that a freely made, well-informed decision can have negative consequences.

One's executive faculties need to be full developed. The decision center in the brain is not completely developed until the mid to late 20s.
Beyond this, I suspect it is a feeling of being in control of your destiny. And maybe a pet. Being responsible for another living creature is a responsibility real people have.

And then you're ready to settle down and live the real life. Get married, have kids. All that stuff...

But then the question remains: am I throwing a term of idealism out there and ascribing it qualities that I do not possess? What happens in 3 and a half years when I meet these requirements. Will I be a real person? Does it really matter? If I live life to the fullest and do what I want to, the limitations become self-imposed and thus inconsequential. So then it hardly matters if it is real life or not!

What would you say?

2010-02-20T03:01:00.000-07:00

In the past 21 months I have learned a great deal. I have experienced a great deal more. And I have 6,000 pictures to jog my faulty memory. I've traveled 10,000 miles and met countless individuals who have affected my journey in some small way. And a certain few who have changed my life. I can't begin, even now, to assimilate what I've done. For me, it was an accomplishment for the ages.

But the one thing I can say, is that I know myself better that I have before. I am much more comfortable in my skin, with my mind and body, and have begun to embrace my personality for all the quirky things it holds. For the most part, I can better control my ego, temper, and drive better than ever.

I'm back. New and improved. With the same old quirks and fatal faults you've come to love (not really) and expect. But with the benefit of a more open, less judgmental mind. I have a better target of what my future happiness will entail. I definitely don't have it now, but I see this as a stage in my life where I pay my dues and reap the future rewards. The dice has been cast and I am on a path.

Journeys are never clear, and very few things in life are certain. Embrace that. Welcome the new experiences. A temporary pain is merely a turn in the road to your ultimate destination of happiness. There is no bad luck. There is no bad experience. I do not accept such negativity. Such narrow-mindedness. Everything, I say, is a lesson. Everything is fun! You just have to look at it the right way. We have only one life, so you'd damned well better make sure you enjoy it. Don't you waste it.

Burning Ring of Fire

2009-09-17T00:58:00.001-06:00

I once shot a man in Reno because he stole my pie. True story. It was pumpkin, and I take my pumpkin pies seriously.

The Vitality of Spring

2009-05-26T11:42:00.000-06:00

Spring is such a lovely time of the year. It's a time of rebirth and color, of pastels and almost forgotten vitality. Green and leafy trees casting their shade over cool, fresh grass. Forgotten flowers poking up through the dirt. New life arising from the fallen needles and bleak, dead ground of yesteryear. Shorts and flip-flops come out; pale skin recedes. Pleasant weather; the golden lick of the sun against your cold skin like that of a long lost dog. Truly, it is a magical time.

That is unless you are effected by those "seasonal allergies." Then each new tree is a threat. Each blooming flower an enemy agent. The beautiful clouds of yellow flowing with the breeze represent a tangible assault against your eyes and your nose. You sneeze. Your eyes water. Your nose runs. And you curse those little yellow things that cover everything in a thin, pastel layer.

And then you think about just what exactly that yellow stuff is. And your mind recalls 8th grade biology, yet is that of an adult who knows the finer points in life. And you see it for what it really is. Tree semen.

Talk about love being in the air.

Reverse Immigration

2009-05-08T02:10:00.001-06:00

Here's an idea. In the wake of the global financial meltdown, jobs are a hot commodity. The American model of free enterprise and bootstrap pulling is just becoming a grind, and working those long hours for meager pay and two weeks of vacation is just too odious. Especially when you look across that little stretch of water to a far off continent in the sunrise. A land of fine food, social security, leisure, universal health care, diversity, and six weeks of vacation per year. The appeal is strong.

So, with that in mind, I begin my quest across the sea to the land of my ancestors. They came to America looking for a brighter future. They found it. And now, I am returning to my ancestral land in search of my brighter future. That is my plan, and these are my chronicles.

Through the woodlands through the prairies comes a horseman wild and free...

2009-03-17T18:17:00.001-06:00

Don Quijote to the rescue! My role model and personal hero.

The Bare Freedoms

2009-03-16T21:10:00.000-06:00

When we think of Switzerland, we think of pristine landscapes and conservative, friendly people. And chocolate, cheese, watches, knives, and neutrality. But there is growing tension in paradise. Yes, nude hiking is starting to cause a stir. The hills are full of flesh. And the older, more conservative Swiss simply won't stand for it. Small mountain communities are pushing for a ban on the institution saying that it disturbs the peace and serenity. Needless to say, the issue will be regulated and counter-arguments will be made. (Fortunately, legal scholars feel that a law banning non-sexual nudity would be unconstitutional).

Just to make your day a little lighter. At least you don't have to worry about stumbling upon naked hikers when you're off on a hike. Or you'll feel safe that your freedom to flaunt yourself will not be impeded.

The Virtues of Science Fiction

2009-03-09T12:14:00.000-06:00

I wrote this on July 20, 2008 at Machu Picchu in Peru:

Sci-fi, when used to this purpose, can exceed "classic" literature's ability to test and explore the wide and diverse concept of humanity.

I often wonder why science fiction is not really looked on as "good" literature. It can delve into the human psyche just as well as anything else. Better even; the situations in sci-fi are completely malleable, so the author can put people in any situation to show and explore that side of the human condition. Just look at Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odessy. Very probably plot with some unfortunate twists exploring the limits of humanity. HAL's obsession with the mission over all else and Dave Bowman's persistan human angle. Or my favorite book, Contact. Carl Sagan explores what making contact with extraterrestrials would mean for the planet. I love the book beacause it is so well written and even better thought out. It is a very accurate portrayal (no Hollywood firefights here) of what could, might, and I think would happen.

Are we really that petty?

2009-02-18T15:46:00.001-07:00

The New York Post's political cartoon that criticizes the economic stimulus package has been taken to a new and overblown level. Civil rights activist groups take this monkey to be a symbol for President Obama. And that this is a racial slur, rather than the more obvious, less offensive, and perfectly sensible critique that the package was, in fact, written by a monkey. Come on. We're in the 21st century. The sort of thinking, epitomized by Al Sharpton's reaction, is counterproductive. We're trying to move beyond race. We have a minority president. He's also brilliant, considerate, eloquent, and a beacon of hope. But we still think of him as our first black president, not our 44th president. We need to move beyond such distinctions and just grow up. This is a critique of legislation, not a dig at our president's race.

Addendum, 20 February 2009: After discussing this issue with my friends, I will have to admit that I do not know the New York Post's publishing history nor the comic's past comics. Upon being corrected, I am forced to admit that this comic was intended to take a cheap and immature dig at race, rather than a criticism of the economic stimulus plan. I am saddened that we still live in an age where a person's race or gender is attacked, rather than his idea.

Saving a few bucks by axing the axe.

2009-02-18T15:13:00.001-07:00

Money may not grow on trees, but it certainly does sit on Death Row. The law of unintended consequences strikes again during the economic downturn. Almost all states are searching desperately for ways to close huge budget gaps. And 36 of the 50 still use capital punishment. Carrying out an execution can cost ten times more than life in prison. Looks to me like a good way to save some money. Maryland, for example, killed five people since 1976, which cost them $37.2 million. As I remember, the US executes more people than any other country save China. Almost all other developed countries have outlawed execution; it is a requirement for joining the European Union. Money does have a strong pull, but I am amazed that this is the way the US is (slowly) going to work itself off of capital punishment.

Jail Time Joke

2009-02-17T23:58:00.001-07:00

Watching Law and Order has made me afraid of crime. One false step outside the defined boundary of the law, and the full weight of the district attorney's office rains down on you. At least in dramatized New York. So, speaking with my friend Courtney about a terrible plea bargain offered to an attempted murderer, I joked about a 600 year jail sentence. Naturally, I googled that query. And I came up with this. A Brazilian police colonel was sentence to 632 years for a brutal massacre he ordered during a prison riot. One hundred and eleven people were killed, but the jury kindly reduced it to 102 because 9 inmates were stabbed to death. Naturally, those were not his fault. I wonder what you do in jail when you know you have absolutely no hope of seeing the free light of day ever again?

Thank Goodness I Don't Work at TGI Friday's - The Crisis Hits Reno

2009-02-10T18:08:00.001-07:00

I was watching just watching KTVN, Reno's local CBS news affiliate. And the effects of this crisis are really starting to become apparent to me. TGI Friday's just closed its doors permanently (without giving any warning to employees...). Yes, the big national chain has shut down it's Reno restaurant. To me, that is a shocker - that restaurant has always been there, and seems to have always done good business. But apparently not. Look forward to big, and probably unpleasant, changes.

But there is some good news (as always). A local Reno jeweler, Gem Gallery, has graciously offered 100 free silver bracelets to those that can prove that they recently lost their jobs. The owner wanted to make sure that the unfortunate recently unemployed could still have something shiny for Valentine's day. Now, doesn't that restore your faith in human compassion? It does for me. Hopefully all the TGIF employees know about this and go take advantage of the generosity. Hopefully they give a big "thank you."

Enlightened and Prudent Policy

2009-02-09T22:55:00.000-07:00

The Czech Republic has taken what I would consider to be drastic means to address the issue of unemployed foreign workers. A blurb I read in the New York Times (here is a better one from the Straits Times) informs me that the Czech government is offering the equivalent of $649 and a free plane ticket home to recently unemployed migrant workers. To me, this seems like an enlightened and well considered reaction to the global crisis. To some, I could see that it would appear draconian. A government sponsored forced exodus of illegal foreigners. A violation of human rights? Anti-immigration and xenophobic? No. A prudent measure to curb potential violence and address the rising unemployment rate. It also recognizes that many of these workers cannot afford to return home or are otherwise indebted to agencies that find them higher paying jobs in advanced economies. This policy is an enlightened and prudent response (for the government) to the Czech Republic's looming problem.

Financial Crisis or Not?

2009-02-08T23:48:00.000-07:00

It is interesting to have been away when the global financial market began to melt down. What that means is that I was not reading the news frequently. So, this crisis has not really molded my thinking over the last 8 or 9 months. Traveling insulates one from such pressures and concerns. (Though Colombia did keep getting cheaper as the peso fell against the dollar, thus making me want to stay longer and longer). But my only memories of the beginning of the meltdown come from emails from my parents encouraging me to stay in Latin America as long as I could stand. Well, I did that... more or less. I came back sooner than I would have, but I had my reasons (which are not apropos at the moment).

The point of this is that I did not believe what I was hearing about the horrors of the crisis. Everywhere I looked during my travels I saw signs looking for workers. Waiters, cooks, dishwashers. That kind of labor. But jobs, none the less. Latin America was running the same way I imagine it to have run. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Even when I returned to Los Angeles, I saw no obvious signs of a problem. Economics teaches me that the mentality, mind set, and intentions of individuals determine how the market works. This means (very basically) that people's minds are more powerful that what they consider to be "market forces." Thus, (even more simply) if we don't talk about a "crisis" we won't have one. Yes, this is an introductory economics lesson, but I doubt that it could hurt. Because if you think about it, the majority of the economic system is based on faith. Faith that these green pieces of paper are worth something, that the banks have all our money in a vault and will give it to us when we ask for it, that we can always borrow money when we need it. These are all just fictions that we collectively believe. And in believing them, they become true. Thus our capitalist system functions. On belief and faith.

So the point is that with all this talking of a crisis, we have fallen into one. And I did not believe it until I was in my hometown of Reno at one of the new shopping malls. It was an afternoon, fine for shopping, and there was no one at the stores. The parking lots were empty. The employees in the store outnumbered the customers. Everything was on sale, significantly discounted. It was frightening to see. The numbers tell us that it has not been this bad in 30 years. Longer that I have been alive. It is bad out there. I don't want to believe it. But everyone is focused on it, so I cannot ignore it. And thus I have to seek other means to shelter myself from the problems. Enlistments in the military are up, as are enrollments in professional schools. If you can't get a job, do something that will get you a better job in the future.

Nicolas "Voodoo" Sarkozy

2008-10-24T15:23:00.000-06:00

There is a Nicolas Sarkozy voodoo doll on the shelves in France. (Needless to say, I want one.) These dolls have been constructed with quotes from Sarko`s campaign, including "work more to earn more" and "get lost, jerk." It comes with detailed instructions on how to do your worst to the President of the Republic. But, Messr. Sarkozy is a litigious man. Claiming that he has "exclusive and absolute rights" over his charming, grizzly facade, he is suing the creater to have them removed from shelves. Spoil-sport. And also, what is he thinking? As Herr Schwartzenegger found out, once you`re in the public light, you lose such control over your personage. So, we`ll see what happens. But, to me, it is another example of just how much fun he is. Let`s have a look at the doll:

A Little Light on a Cloudy Day

2008-10-11T17:38:00.000-06:00

There is a special clock in New York City that does not measure time, but rather the US national debt. And is has now run out of digits. There is not longer enough space on its face to show the spiriling debt we`re accumulating. Now, if you ask me, this is slightly funny. At least it gave me pause to smile. They had to dedicate the $ marker to marking digits, and just stuck a $ on the clock. A real jury-rigged job. So, who says that bad times can`t have bits of happiness.

Here's to the Cacophony!

2008-04-20T18:36:00.000-06:00

European regulators strike again! They have written a law, with the best of intentions, that goes beyond the scope for which it was designed. The law: one aimed at protecting the hearing of workers. The adversely effected: classical musicians. Anyone can see and agree that factory and construction workers should be protected from the damaging decibels of their equipment. Musicians, on the other hand, are a different matter. They make the noise, they know the risk of hearing loss, and many remedies for protecting the ears negatively effect playing. A conundrum!

Read the article if you're interested in the details of the sound dampening devices. But the general message is: they are annoying, impact negatively on performance, and musicians simply won't use them. Whoops. As a musician in The Greatest Marching Band in the History of the Universe, I know how loud instruments and music damages hearing. I have seen the effects on myself. And even knowing this, I rarely use ear plugs. It does change the way I hear myself and my colleagues. Which in music is a bad thing. And for me to notice this, it's substantial. I'm by no means on par with these professionals.

Already this has caused one piece to be deleted from a show. And composers, conductors, and musicians are being asked to tone it down. Although I support good hearing, I am a bigger fan of personal sovereignty. Musicians should chose for themselves if they need hearing protection. It must not be dictated by a legislature. Art is free and pure expression and it should not be limited by anyone other than its author. And nothing can keep me from enjoying the finale of the 1812 Overture as loudly as I possibly can.

Stirred Up, Not Shaken

2008-04-17T10:20:00.000-06:00

John McCain has quite the temper on him. Everyone knows that. You've seem him at the debates, on the campaign trail, to reporters getting testy. My favorite is when he calls a kid a "little jerk" after being asked about his age (I thought it was funny and not mean-spirited). He has a short fuse. It blows off easily, especially when issues of principle or personal honor are concerned. Now whether this is an attribute or a detriment to his campaign I will not decide. But it certainly makes him interesting. He's not afraid to show you how he feels. Unlike other politicians who keep their emotions tightly locked up deep inside so the look like heartless robots, McCain is not afraid (or able?) to do that. And I thank him for that.

This ties in with my interest in Nicolas Sarkozy. He likes to stir things up. I think that McCain would have a similar effect on the United States. He's not afraid to go after things in which he believes. Or to make rash, principled decisions. Or (for that matter) to make unpopular decisions. I can see some of these qualities making him a good president, and others making him a bad one. But he would certainly shake things up! And shake things up he must if there's any chance of mobilizing an apathetic electorate. As much as I have not been thinking about the election (I was one of the many who burnt out early with the weekly debates...), McCain does have some appeal to me. For simply this reason: he's principled and speaks his mind. As much as I think those are silly qualities on which to base a decision, he certainly tops those categories. So I guess I'll have to examine the foreign (and maybe economic) policy of each candidate and base my decision on that. But only when the time comes.

Sarko the Lowbrow

2008-04-16T10:38:00.000-06:00

My favorite world leader is ruffling feathers at home. France has a history of high culture, and its leader is always a the front of the march. Past presidents have established museums, opera houses, and translated philosophy as teenagers. And the French love them for that. This is a country that has a culture minister, and in past administrations that has been a powerful post! Sarkozy's culture minister is intelligent, but not powerful.

As for Sarko himself, the French people are taken aback by his aloofness. His aviator-wearing, jeans-sporting, tie-less, crude, and rude behavior creates a new iconoclast for French culture. He is more casual, less aristocratic leader. French papers bemoan the Americanization of France, which translates to anti-intellectualism. Sarkozy shuns the pomp and circumstance of high office. But this is a country that likes its leaders to be above the crowd; formal, intelligent, cultured, cultivated, and elite. Sarko is the first modern leader not to have graduated from the upper crust civil service schools.

He is sending a message to the old elites: things have changed. "President Bling Bling" (as he's called) is shaking thins up. Here's a man who holidays on yatchs and takes private jets. Text messages people whilst visiting the Pope. A twice divorced 53-year old who married a young, beautiful Italian supermodel. Needless to say, he's shaking up France. And this is one of the reasons I like him. He is shaking up the sluggish French state. Economically, politically, and socially he is making waves. Turning such an entrenched culture around is slow and difficult work, but Sarko seems to be trying his damnedest. Which is exciting to see.

Here's a little aside: how do people who call Sarkozy a lowbrow explain this?

Money and Happiness

2008-04-08T19:07:00.001-06:00

We've all heard the phrase "money doesn't buy you happiness." And most of us like to believe it (especially if we are college students with no money). I used to be on the fence about this issue. And then I took The Economics of Happiness with Richard Easterlin at USC. It was the best class that I've had here; it is the only class for which I read every single assigned page. I devoured the material; it was interesting and useful.

Professor Easterlin is on of the pioneers in the field of happiness economics. Consequently most papers we read were either written by him or referred to him. His oft-cited 1974 paper introduced a concept known as the Easterlin Paradox (he doesn't call it that). Over time countries have become richer, and yet self-reported happiness has remained relatively constant. But within a country at a fixed time, richer people are happier. Hence, a paradox.

This paradox makes a bit more sense if you take hedonics into account. This basically states that people adapt to their increased wealth; you get used to having what you have and consequently want more. And therefore derive less utility, less happiness. Now think of your life, and I bet you can find examples of hedonics in action. Especially around Christmas or birthday time. But what explains the inter-country variations is people comparing themselves to their neighbors. If your colleagues are equally well off, you'd not notice differences in wealth (there wouldn't be any). But that is never the case; we all look at the mansions on the lake and the expensive cars and want the same. Thus psychologically we are less satisfied with our lot.

A recent article in the Financial Times criticizes the paradox. Two economists from Wharton have sifted through more data and have discovered that the Easterlin Paradox doesn't hold up. Undoubtedly this will face scrutiny, as I hope it does. These theories need to be vetted and twisted and tested to the limit. But once we have a pretty good idea of what's going on, we can think about shifting policy. Perhaps away from gross domestic product (GDP) to a gross happiness product (GHP). And then development would be focused on what increases human well being.

Green German Ships

2008-03-31T22:43:00.000-06:00

Whilst looking for jobs, I ran across this article about a sail that helps power a cargo ship. The Beluga SkySail was placed on a 132 meter cargo ship which traveled from Germany to Venezuela and back to Norway by way of New Orleans (a hefty 11,953 nautical mile journey). The reduced the ship's fuel consumption by 20% and saved 16,000 euros. And this was only a prototype. The ship will be upgraded to a version that will be twice the size (320 square meters) and save twice as much fuel, potentially $2,000 per day. There are plans for larger cargo vessel sporting a 600 square meter sail. This is a fascinating fossil and wind powered craft. I had no idea that such a small sail could save so much fuel! It hardly seems possible. If this technology actually pans out, it is hard to imagine cargo ships without this device. It is relatively small, it hangs out over the bow of your boat several hundred meters overhead, and (if my German hasn't completely failed me) is controlled by the autopilot. How much easier could it be?

The small capital investment ($500,000) is easily offset by the savings in fuel over the lifetime of the product. It seems like a slam dunk to me. Granted, I'm sure it has to be modified for the larger vessels. Undoubtedly, the super tankers would need a whole lot more canvas up there to gain the advantage. I just hope that no regulatory agency gets it in their head that this might need to be regulated or banned. It's amazing what $100 per barrel oil will do to spur R&D into fuel-saving technology. Talk about incentives!

Please, enjoy the videos of the sail.

Sarko makes his first visit to the United Kingdom

2008-03-28T17:43:00.000-06:00

Notice how Gordon Brown and the owner of Aresnal look awkward as Sarkozy kicks the ball their way. France and Britain cannot lead Europe if Brown cannot coordinate football moves with Sarkozy.

The Queen speaks fluent French. Sarkozy knows little English. I bet that he is telling her a funny joke, in French. Awesome.

You really shouldn't be surprised at this point. I'm a Sarkophile. I his ideology. I like that he seems to be turning a lumbering state around. I like that he stirs things up.

Is there life outside of New York?

2008-03-25T15:06:00.000-06:00

It seems that my sole source of news inspiration for this blog is the New York Times. Normally this would not be a problem; they are a highly regarded and circulated paper that is credible and reports on subjects that interest me. But that I am not more informationally diversified bothers me. Sometimes I feel the Times is not enough. And since I do not get The Economist (and that it is a weekly publication), I must look elsewhere. And I think I have found a new source in the Financial Times. Any publication that features an article entitled "Accountability fear over central banks" and has a subsection completely dedicated to the international economy is the news source for me. In the spirit of knowing where I get my info and ensuring that I am well informed on a variety of topics, I will switch to the FT. But I don't think that I can remove the NYT from my bookmark bar; where else would I go for my day to day updates on minute drivel of the American political scene.

Oh, how I've changed from high school. I used to care so much about US politics. Now I hardly give a damn. I am of the opinion that no matter who is elected, the overall change on the country will be small. And more importantly, the difference between a McCain, Obama, or Clinton presidency would be pretty insubstantial. At least on venues that I care about (read foreign policy). And their domestic policy would just be different ways of going about addressing the same issues. Maybe I am naive, but maybe I'm right. It seems like I am becoming more interested in things that I have less and less control over: developing countries, the world economy, and foreign relations. Which is why I should pursue a career in the Foreign Service.

Falling Star

2008-03-24T01:56:00.000-06:00

Arguably the greatest science fiction writer and thinker about the future is dead. Arthur C. Clarke recently passed into the Great Unknown and has left the world a more fascinating and vibrant place. This is the man who is credited with inventing the communications satellite and predicted such devices as the cell phone, space stations, and moon walks. He even thought about the problem of near Earth objects. Non-withstanding his lack of appreciation of the free-rider principle, his idea of a "Project Spaceguard" to defend the planet from astronomical disasters shows immense foresight of a highly improbable, yet possibly preventable catastrophe. Serious futurists fuel our desire to expand our capabilities and broaden our reach. In his own words: "I'm sure we would not have had men on the Moon if it had not been for Wells and Verne and the people who write about this and made people think about it."

Moving to his fiction; his stories let the mind wander and wonder. The future of the human race lay off this planet, and scientific exploration of space is a part of our destiny. 2001: A Space Odyssey brought serious science fiction to the silver screen. Seeing Dave Bowman, H.A.L., and the Discovery sail off to Jupiter brightened the eyes and minds of people fascinated with the space race. This world needs more optimistic explorers to pull us from the dregs of indifference. There are very few folks these days with Sir Arthur's prolific inspiration. In an age of quick-thrills and self-interest, Clarke's message of interdependence would be a welcome refocus.

And in a final and obtuse relation, I remember watching "Arthur C. Clarke's Scientific Mysteries" as a young lad. It was all somewhat fantastic; I remember an episode about UFOs that disturbed me. And the show about spontaneous human combustion and reincarnation left me unnerved and disquieted for a while. And I'd like to thank him for inspiring Gene Roddenberry.

451, the temperature at which Society burns.

2008-03-15T14:02:00.000-06:00

As a part of my quest to reconnect with literary greatness, and to reacquaint myself with the books I was supposed to have read in high school, I've been frequenting the library with the intention of renting books. As of now, I've focused on Heinlein, Huxley, Bradbury, and Hemingway (my all time favorite); but I did just start. Because I seem to not read for class anyway (I find more interesting academic material elsewhere) I've decided to expand my horizons. Not that all the economics and international relations tomes that I read for fun are not entertaining and enlightening (I promise, they certainly are). But I just wanted to get some "culture."

I recently devoured Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. I read it early in my high school career, but it did not speak to me then as it spoke to me now. Perhaps it is because I am more mature and experienced, or because I read Bradbury's introductions to get a feel of his thoughts on his masterpiece, but Fahrenheit 451 is so much more poignant. In the era of quick thrills and 10 second sound bites, substantial content is going out the window. I remember the days when the Discovery Channel was more than just 'science-y' travel/adventure/reality shows; the History Channel seems to be throwing in the intellectual towel as well. Cable news is shallow and superficial; 'journalists' seem just as content to follow celebrities as to dig into controversial issues that matter. We have hundreds of shows dedicated to sports; ESPNs 1 through 500,000 are almost exclusively filled with drivel, and any bar you go to will have a majority of its TVs tuned to just that. Bradbury warns of a time when sports, interactive reality television, and 'the family' (Bradbury's flat TV characters who take on hollow personalities) begin to eclipse inquiry and intriguers. When he rails on book burnings, he is not necessarily lamenting our penchant for TV or internet over reading. He criticizes our lack of intellectual curiosity; he bemoans the atrophy of the intellect. One does not need to be well-read, one just needs to exercise the brain. Reading isn't worth a damn if you don't comprehend or question it.

Ray Bradbury's critique on modern society is an important one to address. We do not want a society of brainwashed sports fanatics. Some of my dear and very intelligent friends spend hours listening to the drivel ESPN commentators spew. A little of this is not bad, but an obsession is dangerous. Walking into my living room to find the channel tuned to two irrelevant teams playing basketball is the best way to clear me out of the room. So I am turning to the classics. It is partly to combat the dulling of my intellect that I have chosen to return to the library. It is partially curiosity. But hopefully I can continue questioning and thinking critically. So off with the mindless drivel and on to the stimulating debate. A little argument every now and then is good for the mind and soul; it keeps you on your toes!

Disappointment

2008-03-10T21:45:00.000-06:00

The "Sheriff of Wall Street" is no more. Eliot Spitzer , New York's combative governor, was recently linked to a prostitution ring after a meeting with a lady of the night in a Washington, DC hotel. This is particularly disappointing to me. I had high hopes for Spitzer. His tenure as Attorney General was a combative and successful one. He relished going after the high rollers on Wall Street with no regard for their wealth or power. He was quite the enforcer. Financial criminals and scandals were dealt with severely and with what I thought was professionalism. But this sting underscores the mantra that no one is perfect. And that those who are destined for greatness can crash and burn big time. I expected that Spitzer would run day run for president. And I would have voted for him; heck, I'd still vote for him. It's just too bad that his personal life will ruin his political career. Though his ethical toughness is severely undermined, I still think that he can effectively run a state and crack down on crime. Maybe I'll just stick to following Nicolas Sarkozy; it's doubtful that he will disappoint me.

An Aside

2008-03-06T14:20:00.001-07:00

I do sometimes find myself walking along in time with the music... But sometimes that gait is just a bit too slow, and then time and walking clash.

Agricultural Reset Button

2008-03-03T20:48:00.000-07:00

It is good to know that the human race is taking measures to protect itself from annihilation... The Global Seed Vault is a Norwegian organization with the mandate to back up every agricultural plant species in the world in a single, secure seed bank. This vault, located north of the Arctic Circle on the Norwegian island of Svalbard, has a security system that would rival a nuclear missile silo. No single person has the access codes to get in. In case of a power failure, the seed bank will not be compromised as the seeds will remain frozen in the arctic conditions. And I would assume that no rational person would want to hijack a seed bank, and there are probably few natural disasters up there - at least none that could penetrate the 500 feet of permafrost. Talk about a secure facility.

So this is designed to be an insurance plan in case climate change, a pest, or some other event wipes out a plant species. A big concern, as the world is becoming less biologically diverse by the day. I am all for such backups, but wouldn't it also be prudent to combat this more proactively? It is all well and good to have safeguards, but it would be easier to take preventative measures. Perhaps diversifying the food stock. Or growing indigenous plants instead of massive irrigation projects that terraform land to grow the same old crops. Plus, we'd have the added benefit of new, exciting food. There are around 1400 different species of banana; why don't we broaden our collective pallet? We might just enjoy it.

I Scooped Scott Adams

2008-02-27T22:24:00.000-07:00

Part of my daily ritual includes checking out several blogs, as well as the New York Times, in the morning before my shower. Scott Adams is one such blogger; he usually has something witty or pertinent to say. Imagine my surprise when Mr Adams posted about my favorite world leader, Messr Nicolas Sarkozy. Apparently Sarkozy was out mingling with the masses and someone confronted him; moral of the story, Sarkozy called the guy an asshole. So, Sarkozy had Mr Adams at asshole. He had me at awesome. And for your benefit (and mine), here is Messr Sarkozy:

;

2008-02-21T21:02:00.000-07:00

My favorite periodical, the New York Times, sometimes goes off on a journalistic whim in searching for a scoop. This time they chose to highlight a dying bit of the English language, the beloved semicolon. Specifically, its use in an anti-littering campaign on New York Metro trains. Let me present the ad: "Please put it in a trash can; that's good news for everyone." There it is; in the middle, right where it is supposed to be. The semicolon is going out of style; no one is taught how to use it anymore. Nowadays, this device is seen as pretentious; it is used by those to whom the art of "whom" is not foreign. It is snooty. It is an elusive beast. It mocks us to use it properly. As the NYT says, it is pleasant irony that the semicolon forms an integral part of the winky face emoticon...

;-)

The exciting world of International Relations

2008-02-19T16:42:00.000-07:00

If you will indulge me, I am turning to the much loved, but little talked about on this forum, passion in my life: international relations. This has been an exciting weekend for those of us who practice the art of international relations. Only a war could get us more riled up! Over the weekend, three things happened:

Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on Sunday. This is the result of almost a decade of UN and NATO administration of the territory after Slobodan Milosevic decided it would be a good idea to rid his country of ethnic Albanians. Well, we know what happened to him. But now that the country is independent (yes, I have decided to recognize Kosovo's legitimacy), there will be troubles with Serbia. They regard Kosovo as Serbian heartland dating from medieval times. Now we just hope that there is not too much bloodshed; I predict that there will be. A bit on an aside: that red flag that everyone is waving is Albania's flag, not Kosovo's new flag... hmmm.

Fidel Castro finally decided that it was time to step down. At 81, he is the last powerful communist leader of the good old days of the Cold War. Of course, the Bush administration and many others welcomed the change, as do I. One should not deny that Castro did good things for his country: free higher education, universal health care, and eradication of racism. But he was not a democrat; his promise to bring democracy to Cuba was broken and his plan to industrialize the state never materialized. Most people feel that this change in leadership won't change anything. As the eternal optimist, I think not. Raul, Fidel's little brother, is more pragmatic. There are rumors of state run markets. The secret to transitioning to a free market economy is to do it slowly. Just look at China's successes compared to Russia's failures.

Perves Musharraf accepted his party's defeat in Pakistani parliamentary elections. Two more moderate and secular opposition parties are the victors. This result was welcomed heartily, sometimes ecstatically, in Pakistan. Though Musharraf will continue as President, the Parliament will strike a more moderate tone and pursue the war on terror on their own terms - they no longer want Pakistan to act as a US puppet. Beyond these issues, it is good to see that a recovering authoritarian dictator will allow his party to lose, when he could use the military to ignore the electoral mandate. It almost gives you a little hope for the world.

So, in conclusion, please enjoy this comical video about the Balkan states and US military interventions abroad:

You know you're an economist when...

2008-02-16T18:41:00.000-07:00

The ultimate truth of economics is that resources are scarcely allocated. Incentives are the tool used to overcome this problem.

Now that you know everything you need to know about economics, hear me out. As a graduating senior I have many things I need to accomplish before I get out of here. One could, and I would, say that my time is a scarce resource. Therefore I did what any rational economist would do: I incentivized myself. I have a list of goals that I need to accomplish on my wall; whenever I finish one I get to cross it off. And for every goal I complete, I reward myself with incentives.

Now isn't that a novel way of solving the problem of scarce time? You do what is most important because the incentive scheme is designed to favor important tasks (and consequently punish irrelevance). I recommend this scheme to anyone. You just have to be able to enforce the incentive scheme on yourself. But fortunately I have a well developed sense of guilt and obedience to self-imposed rules.

Why I love the French.

2008-02-12T02:32:00.000-07:00

President Nicolas Sarkozy has married his new Italian lover, Carla Bruni, just over a week ago in a quiet ceremony at the Élysée. They had a very public courtship, which at times infuriated, energized, and annoyed the French public. No matter that he divorced his second wife several months ago, no matter that the normally civil French tabloids have stalked their every move. I think this man is downright fascinating. As the President of the French Republic he is a very public figure, and anything he does will be noted. He has not tried to hide the relationship, but whenever he is questioned he dodges the subject saying that he deserves his privacy (in French, of course). I think that we could all learn something from this; public figures cannot hide anything. Best to acknowledge it with class. Which I think he has done. Maybe a bit unrealistic in thinking that the press would stay out of his personal life, but he kept it low-key. And now France will have a new, young, and very capable first lady.

My Musings on Markets

2008-02-06T11:54:00.000-07:00

I wrote this over the summer whilst on a bus from Washington, DC to New York. My thoughts on this stem from my internship at the National Taxpayers Union Foundation where I was forced to think about my liberal tendencies and my new interest in libertarianism. Specifically, this was sparked by a discussion of whether the market would provide non-smoking restaurants (which I strongly doubt, but my colleagues firmly believe). Here it is, from 8 July 2007:

Can the market operate through the government?

Yes. If we consider the market to be all decisions and actions of individuals. Realistically, the market is more than financial/economic interactions. If markets are consumer and free-will driven, then social and electoral interactions must be taken into account. People vote with their feet and wallets, in addition to their ballots. Governments at all levels notice and react to all three forces. Ballots choose the government, money shows consumer preference and can help determine tax policy, and movement can tell a government if [it] is doing an effective (or poor) job.
Before continuing, let me try to head off some potential disagreement. If I remember properly, my early economics classes taught me that the government's function is to regulate the market. On the surface this seems logical, but I think it is too simplistic. It ignores the fact that government employees are part of the market. And that elected officials are self-interested and seek reelection--thus the answer to the market. The government is not as insulated and isolated from the market as the models would suggest.

And then I must have become bus-sick, because that's all there is for now.

Uninspired by our Politics

2008-02-01T17:35:00.000-07:00

Dear readers:

I am bored. Bored with the state of US politics. Nothing exciting ever happens. Remember the last time you were inspired by anything the government did? I don't either. I have stopped caring, and that is a major problem. I would be content sitting here enjoying the freedom to do whatever I want, but unfortunately I can't even do that. Granted, I seem to be in a more free market, libertarian phase of my life and would like to have the option of doing man things that I would not normally do.

Let us look at the presidential election: It has already been going on for over a year. Thank goodness it is in its last 10 months! All the exciting candidates are gone or won't win: Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel (thank goodness), Joe Biden, and Chris Dodd. The one we'll get is some politically invested and indebted person who won't change anything noteworthy. Where are my LBJs, JFKs, FDRs, and other three-letter people? Heck, I'll take a Nixon-esque scandal to spice things up. But no one in the media has the gumption for such digging.

I will preempt the criticism that I (and probably you) are beginning to form. No, I will not do anything about it. I leave that to the "responsible and inquisitive journalists" of the future, whose ilk I have no desire to join. I'd rather work abroad doing something tangible with a fledgling government trying to kick start economic development. That is vastly more interesting to me. And I feel that a difference can be made. I challenge you to stimulate my excitement in my own country's politics.

-DMS

Charlie Bartlett

2008-01-25T13:01:00.000-07:00

Dear readers,

I have decided to shift gears, because frankly, I have other interests. Indulge me.

As a student at USC, I am privileged enough to have some pretty awesome classes. One such class is a "Theatrical Film Symposium" run by Leonard Maltin. This class "consist[s] of watching a movie that hadn't been released in theaters yet, then watching The Maltin bring on a guest speaker involved with the production and hold court over a sycophantic, uninsightful Q&A." I couldn't have said it better myself. That sarcastic statement aside, the movies are pretty dang good. The one we watched last night is Charlie Bartlett.

The movie is apparently fairly risque, but I found it humorous and clever. As I am not a very good movie-watcher, let's just say Drew Kasper would not like me, I don't know what to say about this film other than I enjoyed and that you should go see it. It follows our hero, Charlie, though his new career at public school! He has a strong urge to fit in, and after evolving from a nerdy rich kid to an amateur pharmacist/psychologist he wins the hearts and souls of his high school. Basically every 17 year old's dream. There are, of course, complications and twists, but they work well and add to the film. Anton Yelchin and Robert Downey Jr. deliver well. They seem to play well off of each other. Okay, I'm done with this. I don't want to say anything more, other than I really enjoyed the film. It was provocative, funny, and good. Go see it. It comes out February 22.

But the real point that I wanted to make is that I don't know if I can see Anton Yelchin as Pavel Chekov in Star Trek... Also, why does Paramount always release Star Trek movies around Christmastime? It never works.

Irrationality

2008-01-21T18:07:00.000-07:00

Dear readers:

As an economist, I am trained to assume that actors (people in economics-speak) are rational and make choices that maximize their utility (do the things that make them happiest in economist). We see people's preferences based on their consumption choices; one will exchange money for some good that is not of value equal or greater than the price. Ok, that makes sense. I buy that, because that is how I buy.

But this whole assumption falls apart when we look at non-monetary transactions (at least for me). I make decisions that are not in my best interest. I see others do the same thing. Consistently. Now, this tells me that people cannot accurately predict their future utility, or accurately put a price on a non-monetary transaction. Yes. Logical, and exactly what economic theory would suggest. But that doesn't cut it for me. If this theory of rationality fall apart when we take away prices, how useful is it? So many interactions are non-monetary: do I go to this party or do my homework? Do I walk to school or sleep in more and drive? Ex cetera. You get the point.

So what we must do (well, what I must do - I'm a libertarian, you do what you want) is to assign prices to everything. Which is hard, neigh on impossible (at least in some cases). Living my life while trying to maximize my utility is my goal. And I do a pretty good job. But I want to do better. And this is my hiccough. How do I conquer irrationality? If I find out, I'll be sure to pass it along. But don't hold your breath. To borrow from Albert Einstein: "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity... and I'm not sure about the universe." Obviously he was talking about irrational decisions made against the self-interest of the individual. Obviously...

-DMS

Why do I deserve a blog?

2008-01-20T17:28:00.000-07:00

Dear readers!

Welcome to the inaugural post to my blog. You may have questions, you may not. I certainly do. That is one reason I decided to embark upon this journey. Another is that I am a regular reader of several blogs, notably Dani Rodrik's and Scott Adams'. Several of my friend have travelblogs. This medium is an effective one for getting one's thoughts out - even if there is no motive or pretense for that message. This is my gateway to the world. My link to humanity.

Enough with the grandeur. I am an economist by training (not a very thorough training, in my opinion, but one that has served me well), and because of that I view the world through an economic lens. Moral of the story: it interests me and I like applying the lessons in my life. This will be my forum for talking about these interests. And (as I am the author and have ultimate authority), it will undoubtedly be used for other purposes. Interesting to me, of course. Interesting to you, I hope so.

Why do I deserve a blog, you may still be asking. I am a relatively intelligent, curious individual. I think about strange things. And I am funny (to myself). I figure that allows me to have a blog. If you disagree, I'd like to hear it (especially since the traffic to this sight will mostly be me). The CNN effect of individuals reporting their own news has led to lots of this kind of thing. Not that I read stuff like that - I like my news from established sources.

That all being said, here I am. Embarking on this experiment for purely my own benefit and enjoyment. I am curious to see how much traffic I will see. I'm not expecting much. I certainly am not famous or influential. Just a 21 year old with some thoughts in his head. And now we begin.

-DMS