The NYT gets one right

There’s a joke that if George Bush announced the world is flat, tomorrow’s NYT headline would be something like “Politicians’ Views Differ on Shape of World.” The point isn’t about political bias so much as the report-only-the-facts position many newspapers take, which can be a huge turn-off.

Newspapers are facing real trouble today – I think for good reasons – and that’s generally something I welcome. But if I’m going to criticize newspapers, it’s only fair that I point out when they do something right, like this tremendous 3-part series on NY’s foster care system. This is serious, painstaking investigative journalism, something the blogosphere doesn’t do.

What are you trying to say?

Emailed to Harvard engineering students:

Quoting [redacted] <[redacted]@seas.harvard.edu>:

> Hi,
> I was asked to forward this to you.
> Thanks
> [redacted]
> ************
> BEAUTY AND THE GEEK
>
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>
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> 2pm – 9pm
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Ratty-nomics

Leaving aside the Michael Moore references etc., is there any evidence that preventive care actually reduces long-term medical costs?  (Financial costs, I mean.  I don’t doubt such care improves general health.)  This seems like something that should be easy enough to test, and my not being able to find a serious answer makes me pessimistic about prospects for, like, actual fact-based healthcare reform.

Must read from Ben Stein on the U.S. economy

Here.  My only quibble is that he suggests institutional investors are stupid when really they’re anything but.

Today’s outrage

He had refused to drop the camera which could be used as a weapon.

Why are certain laws not enforced?

A very interesting series from Tim Wu in Slate.

I also hate physicians because

they take bribes.

This is a good sign?

Pope JPII is back.  Except he’s burning in the afterlife.

The NYT 1-2-3 Punch

I did do it.

Nobody knows the lynchings he’s seen.

Conservatives are such jokers.

House of Simeon

A fascinating photo-essay about building a house in Malawi. The post illustrates some of the economic challenges facing developing countries while conveying the richness of this ancient tradition.

The author is a friend of mine from college.