Global Warming

Richard Muller writes a persuasive editorial in Sunday's NY Times, claiming that his studies show a powerful correlation between the increase in carbon dioxide and the rise in temperatures over the last 250 years, a crucial link in showing global warming is caused by man's activity.  By his account, he had controlled for other factors, e.g. sun-spot activity.  Two comments about this: 1) he's simply describing his conclusions.  But he's published his work, so others can find flaws in his reasoning if there are any.  And that's the way science should work;  2)  as a good scientist he doesn't confuse correlation with cause.  But  if his correlation is strong, then, as he rightly points out, any competing theory must account for this correlation. 

Apologies

Awhile back in a public conversation, I asserted that Milla Jovovich had not been in any good movies (besides The Fifth Element).   My judgment was mistaken.  If you get a chance, watch  Dummy with Adrien Brody.  It's an offbeat movie and Milla displays her theatrical chops. 

RIP

Neil Reed, former IU basketball player, dies at age 36 from heart complications.  I confess that at the time of his controversial run-in with Bobby Knight, I was in Knight's camp.  Looking back, I realize that it was Neil who did the right thing. 

You Didn't Build That

Lost in the kerfuffle over Pres. Obama's remark is I think recognition that the U.S. owes its freedom and success to two sources: a) the providence of our creator and b) the long history of respect for human rights--to life, liberty and property--that we've inherited from our cultural ancestors. 

I take the first only to be controversial for the nontheist.  I take the second to be an assumption for liberals of all stripes, from Romney to Obama.  If so, the question we should be asking is how to best preserve these rights. 

Quote of the Day

QOTD: "One man with courage makes a majority."  Anonymous!  (attributed to Andrew Jackson incorrectly)

Excitement!

I just received my copy of the 2012-13 NCAA Division I Manual!  It comes in at 315 pages, quite a reduction from the 426 pages of the 2011-12 Manual. I'm so excited I could cry.

Dengue Fever

It's possible that there will be a vaccine for Dengue Fever, a mosquito-borne disease that has a mortality rate of 1-5%.     Prior to 1981, there were no cases of Dengue Fever in the western hemisphere.  That has changed; incidents include an outbreak in Brownsville TX in 2005. 

The vaccine will be "live" attenuated, which will increase resistance to taking it. And even if many end up taking it, we'll end up with the free rider problem!  But still, anything is better than nothing.  

I Sing the Body Electoral

Obama currently runs an anti-Romney ad in which Romney weakly sings "American the Beautiful." At the same time, it shows purported amounts of money Romney has in foreign banks, and speaks of jobs outsourced by companies supported by Bain.

I don't find the ad effective.  The message is what?  Romney has a weak voice and he's rich.  He can apologize for the former and easily defend the latter.

As to outsourcing, everyone should reread Adam Smith on comparative advantage!

The Oxymoronic

The logician in me shuddered today, driving in to work.  Mike and Mike were noting a correlation between a city hosting a Super Bowl and that city's quarterback suffering an injury.  Here's what Greenie said, roughly: "it doesn't mean anything, but it's real!"

My hair loss is correlated with continental drift (the more the continents drift, the more hair I lose).  I know it doesn't mean anything, but it's real!  Stop the continents!   

Quote of the Day

"Knowledge is good.". Emil Faber

From the Ridiculous to the Absurd

The IRS charges an estate $40,000,000 on an item that can't legally be sold!  (H/t Radley Balko)

The Death Penalty De Facto, not De Jure

The NCAA just came down hard on Penn State:  60 million in fines, 4 year postseason ban, reduction of scholarships per year from 25 to 10, and the vacating of all wins from 1998-2011.  Harsh to say the least.  The justification was weak in my opinion: lack of institutional control, lack of ethical conduct, and lack of integrity. But the rules concerning those three aspects all refer to the rules set up to govern play, not life.  For example, here's the bylaw on institutional control (Bylaw 2.1):  "it is the responsibility of each member institution to control its intercollegiate athletics program in compliance with the rules and regulations of the Association."(my emphasis)  Penn State wasn't out of compliance; staff and administrators broke several criminal laws. 

I just received an email from the NCAA referring to the sanctions.  The bottom line: "We could not look to NCAA history to determine how to handle circumstances so disturbing, shocking and disappointing. As the individuals charged with governing college sports, we have a responsibility to act. As President Emmert will say in his remarks at the press conference, these events should serve as a call to every single school and athletics department to take an honest look at its campus environment and eradicate the ‘sports are king’ mindset that can so dramatically cloud the judgment of educators."

NCAA

I'll be watching Pres. Emmert's press conference today, where he is expected to punish Penn State.  Some thoughts:  1) the NCAA is the governing body for a collection of universities, who have created a system of rules for athletic events and a system for the enforcement of these rules. There is no allegation that Penn State has violated any of these rules.  Emmert is exceeding his authority.  2) When will people learn never to build statues or name edifices after the living? Wait until the honorees are long dead and buried before building monuments. 

Golf Dreams

I had an amazing dream last night. I was at a discount golf store, discussing with another golfer various brands of golf equipment.  I dropped into the conversation as a matter of fact that I was in the top 30 on the PGA Tour; it was if I had said "I had eggs for breakfast."  Instead the only emotion was anxiety over the choice of irons.

I wonder what Ernie Els is thinking today.  Is it exultation at winning the Open, or relief that he isn't Adam Scott, or worry about which putter to use in the next event?

It's Over!

As you may have heard, the dispute between Viacom and DirecTV has ended. Who won and who lost is unclear. Fees will go up for DirecTV, but not as much as Viacom wanted. DirecTV also won the right to refuse Epix, Viacom's premier channel. Now I can either watch 16 and Pregnant on MTV or Delta Farce on Comedy Central. The Singularity has arrived.

Dennis Rodman's Dad

OK, you've had 29 kids by 16 women. What should be your first name? That's right: Philander!

Quote of the Day

The trouble with life (the novelist will feel) is its amorphousness, its ridiculous fluidity. Look at it: thinly plotted, largely themeless, sentimental and ineluctably trite. The dialogue is poor, or at least violently uneven. The twists are either predictable or sensationalist. And it's always the same beginning; and the same ending... Martin Amis, Experience

Day 9: Viacom vs. DirecTV

The longer the showdown goes, the stronger DirecTV becomes. Notice the various coping mechanisms.

Beer is Important, So Quality Matters

See. 

My Dinner with Andre

Forced myself finally to sit through the entire movie.  Thoughts: 1) this is a great stoner movie.  Picture the same conversation, not at a fine restaurant, but in a flat with 2 guys smoking weed.  It would make as much sense, although Andre wouldn't be dropping names of eastern European directors or Norwegian scientists.  He'd be quoting Phish or Radiohead.  2) definitely dated.  This movie could not be made today.  The subtle references to Marx and existentialism would fall flat.  3) Louis Malle is a great director; he can make a 90 minute table conversation interesting.  Otherwise I would've turned it off in the 5th minute.  4) Finally, I think this blog is inextricably interwined with Montauk. First I quip about it discussing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and then Andre has a pivotal event in Montauk.  Andre himself would find this significant.  Wally would scoff.

Where Are All the Kidneys?

Most people have 2 kidneys.  Most people can function well with one.  Some people desperately need kidneys, but are unable to find a donor.  Why?  Speaking from experience--I attempted to donate one-- it is expensive to donate a kidney.  One has to undergo a number of tests, and pay for all costs except for the actual hospital visit. Legally the recipient is legally forbidden to help out.  The consequence: few donated kidneys and a profitable black market.

Quote of the Day

Philosophy of Law students take note: “Coase is a god in China,” says Omri Ben-Shahar

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Great movie. It would've been better if Joel or Clementine had said, "we'll always have Montauk."

Day 5

The showdown between Viacom and DirecTV continues .  The longer it goes, the more I'm inclined to think DirecTV's position will improve.  Who's going to miss reruns of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia?"

Eat too, Brutus?

We're going to need a bigger boat.

Living Legends

Wait until they are no longer living before building statues.

Quote of the Day

"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief."    Mark 9:24

Sad Fact of the Day

The three Klimt paintings-Philosophie, Medizin, and Jurisprudenz- were all destroyed by a fire set by the Nazis in WWII. From the Klimt Museum: "The paintings were requested for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in 1904 in St. Louis, Missouri|, but the ministry declined, nervous of what the reaction might be. Klimt then resigned his Contract|commission, wishing to keep his work, but the ministry insisted they were already property of the state. Only when Klimt threatened the removal staff with a shotgun was he able to keep his painting. Klimt repaid his advance of 30,000 crowns with the support of August Lederer, one of his major patrons, who in return received Philosophy. In 1911 Medicine and Jurisprudence were bought by Klimt's friend and fellow artist, Koloman Moser. Medicine eventually came into the possession of a Jewish family, and in 1938 the painting was seized by Germany. In 1943, after a final exhibition, they were moved to Schloss Immendorf, a castle in Lower Austria, for protection. In May 1945 the paintings were destroyed as retreating German SS forces set fire to the castle to prevent it falling into enemy hands. All that remains now are preparatory sketches and a few photographs, most notably that of one focusing solely on Hygieia. Only one photograph remains of the complete painting of Medicine, taken just before it was destroyed."

Oh the Inhumanity

Day 3 of the Viacom/DirecTV battle.  I want my, I want my MTV...

Klimt

Today is the 150th birthday of my favorite artist. (Courtesy Klimt Museum)

Another Surprising Lack of Empathy

Go here.

Favorite Actor

At a recent icebreaker, we were asked to give our favorite movie star. Mentally, I started going through the list: Leigh, Bancroft, Taylor, Dehaviland, Streep, Turner...I couldn't decide. Finally I rephrased the question: who would I stop to watch if I were channel surfing? The answer: Jovavich. Thought: I'm either a bad judge of talent or I am still an adolescent.

Compliance

I'm currently attending a NCAA compliance seminar. The NCAA is currently attempting to deregulate. A couple of thoughts: 1)with excessive legislation compliance costs go up. With deregulation, the pressure will be on institutions to transfer savings in compliance to jazzing up expenses elsewhere. Conclusion: there won't be an overall savings. 2) there are always unintended consequences to rules change. It will be interesting to see what these will be. 3) the NCAA is aiming at "low-hanging fruit,"changes where most are in agreement. The process may bog down when they start trying to shake the upper branches to knock off the rest of the fruit.

Freeh Report on The Pennsylvania State University

The report will be found at this site tomorrow at 9 AM:  Freeh Report on The Pennsylvania State University Update: just started reading the report. What jumps out: "a striking lack of empathy for the victims..." applied to Spannier, Curley, Paterno...

Deliverance

There's a great interview of Burt Reynolds, Jon Voight, Ronny Cox, and Ned Beatty at Sunset Gun as they discuss the fortieth anniversary of Deliverance. Fun fact:  Ronny Cox could separate his shoulder, which accounts for this picture:
(h/t Amy Leonetti)

When Negotiations Go South

My significant other, (let's call her "Cindy" for short),  and I dumped Charter for DirecTV on Saturday.  Unknown to me, Viacom was asking for a 30% rate hike; DirecTV balked.  Today, all the Viacom channels (Nickelodeon, Spike, MTV, Comedy Central...) are gone from DirecTV.

Thoughts: 1) I'm not sure I'll miss Viacom.  Not that watching reruns of the roasts of Pam Anderson, Larry the Cable Guy, and Flavor Flav aren't intellectually invigorating, but who watches Spike or MTV?  2) This strikes me as a classic game of Chicken.  The winner of these games usually is the one who acts the craziest or most stubborn.  Since Viacom has played this game before and won, my money is on Viacom.

Gangs

My significant other constantly worries because we are in the middle of gang territory.  Two thoughts: 1) I wonder if there are any populated areas where there aren't gangs? and 2) this from Freakonomics might put her fears to rest.