Monthly Archives: December 2012

Twenty Thoughts on the Fiscal Cliff

Some random thoughts on the “fiscal cliff”: 1. Something is wrong when the top 1% owns 42% of the wealth. No group is that smart, works that hard or has taken that much risk to enjoy 42% of American wealth. … Continue reading

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Is Our Existence Based on a Computer Simulation? Scientists Say They Can Test the Theory

If you saw The Matrix you understand that in the movie people live in a computer simulation. Is it possible this science fiction theme replicates reality? Scientists have now devised a sophisticated method to test the theory. It’s beyond my … Continue reading

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How Much to be a Rich American

The Wall Street Journal: Baby You’re a Rich Man provides a summary of what it takes to be rich in America, as measured by money metrics. Household Annual Income Top 1%: $524,411 Top 5%: $208,810 Top 10%; $148,688 Top 20%: … Continue reading

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Your Odds of Needing to Use Your Handgun for Self-Protection

Your Odds of Needing to Use Your Handgun for Self-Protection “Many police officers reach the end of their careers without ever drawing—much less firing—a gun in the line of duty. The odds against your ever needing to use your gun … Continue reading

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Most Important Chart of 2012: Great Teachers Produce Desired Outcomes

The Wonkblog asked a number of noted experts in diverse fields to submit graphs that best explained 2012. As education is key to so many issues we face I recommend Raj Chetty’s nomination as the most important submission. I was … Continue reading

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Student Debt Crisis in One Graphic

Source: The Week

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OECD Study: In the Developed World, Women Work More than Men

Who works more, men or women? The answer, according to a new study by OECD, depends on what one counts. I. If You Just Count Minutes per Day in Paid Work, Men Come out Ahead II. However, If You Count … Continue reading

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By 2008, A’s in College Were Nearly Three Times More Common than They Were in 1960

A new study confirms what many people have observed without the benefit of a formal study: A’s in college are becoming ordinary. The authors found, “Our data (Figure 1) show that in 1960, as in the 1940s and 1950s, C … Continue reading

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Age When Children Stop Believing in Santa Claus

Age when children stop believing in Santa Claus: Data Source: AP Roper GfK Poll. December 2011.

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The Greater the Number of Guns, the Greater the Number of Homicides

On Meet the Press this morning I listened to Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the National Rifle Association, basically claim that guns are not related to murder. First, he’s logically wrong. It takes a person AND a gun to commit a homicide … Continue reading

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