Finally finished the book Freakonomics (obtained from paperbackswap), largely read in small chunks while I'm waiting for Kimo to finish eating.
Pretty interesting. The main takeaway is that "experts" are not always right.
At the end are a few Freakonomics articles taken from the New York Times. I wonder if these (and others) are accessible over the internet? Sure 'nuff. However the last one appeared in 2008.
They also have a blog, which I guess kind of continues the New York Times columns.
And a movie too, which gets mediocre reviews at amazon.com
Maybe I'll get Super Freakonomics too. But I guess I should finish Malcolm Gladwell's Blink first.
[6/27/14] And now I saw at Costco, they have a new book out, Think Like A Freak. But I think I should get Super Freakonomics first.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Friday, May 20, 2011
one more day (until the end of the world)
Inside the sprawling, threadbare Oakland headquarters of Family Radio Worldwide the staff has prepared for the end of the world this weekend — and it appears they mean it.
“There’s so little time left,” a smiling elderly woman said, hugging a colleague.
On Monday, the last day outsiders were welcome inside the gated compound, recording studios sat empty. Current programming for the independent Christian broadcast ministry was produced weeks ago. No more shows are needed.
This Saturday, May 21, is the apocalypse, according to the ministry’s charismatic leader, “brother” Harold Camping.
“I’m so glad that God’s in charge,” Mr. Camping, 89, said, looking gleeful.
***
[5/21/11] News flash: world still here.
***
[10/21/11, posted 12/31/11] If at first you don't succeed...
A California ministry has again predicted the end of the world is at hand.
The Oakland-based Family Radio International that stirred a global frenzy when it predicted the Rapture would take 200 million Christians to heaven on May 21, now says the cataclysmic event will destroy the globe on Friday.
Camping, who suffered a mild stroke three weeks after his prediction failed to materialize in May, still spreads the word through his Family Radio International website. God's judgment and salvation were completed on May 21, Camping says in a message explaining the mix-up in his biblical math.
"Thus we can be sure that the whole world, with the exception of those who are presently saved (the elect), are under the judgment of God, and will be annihilated together with the whole physical world on Oct. 21," he says on the website.
Followers were crestfallen in May when the Rapture did not occur, particularly those who had quit their jobs or donated some of their retirement savings or college funds for the more than 5,000 billboards and 20 RVs plastered with the Judgment Day message.
Camping, a retired civil engineer, also prophesied the Apocalypse would come in 1994, but said later that didn't happen because of a mathematical error.
*** [11/1/11, posted 12/31/11]
Three proposed Rapture dates have come and gone, and the world has not ended.
Controversial Christian broadcaster Harold Camping has acknowledged his faulty projections, and issued an apology to his followers. The Christian Post reports that the longtime radio evangelist has retired.
“There’s so little time left,” a smiling elderly woman said, hugging a colleague.
On Monday, the last day outsiders were welcome inside the gated compound, recording studios sat empty. Current programming for the independent Christian broadcast ministry was produced weeks ago. No more shows are needed.
This Saturday, May 21, is the apocalypse, according to the ministry’s charismatic leader, “brother” Harold Camping.
“I’m so glad that God’s in charge,” Mr. Camping, 89, said, looking gleeful.
***
[5/21/11] News flash: world still here.
***
[10/21/11, posted 12/31/11] If at first you don't succeed...
A California ministry has again predicted the end of the world is at hand.
The Oakland-based Family Radio International that stirred a global frenzy when it predicted the Rapture would take 200 million Christians to heaven on May 21, now says the cataclysmic event will destroy the globe on Friday.
Camping, who suffered a mild stroke three weeks after his prediction failed to materialize in May, still spreads the word through his Family Radio International website. God's judgment and salvation were completed on May 21, Camping says in a message explaining the mix-up in his biblical math.
"Thus we can be sure that the whole world, with the exception of those who are presently saved (the elect), are under the judgment of God, and will be annihilated together with the whole physical world on Oct. 21," he says on the website.
Followers were crestfallen in May when the Rapture did not occur, particularly those who had quit their jobs or donated some of their retirement savings or college funds for the more than 5,000 billboards and 20 RVs plastered with the Judgment Day message.
Camping, a retired civil engineer, also prophesied the Apocalypse would come in 1994, but said later that didn't happen because of a mathematical error.
*** [11/1/11, posted 12/31/11]
Three proposed Rapture dates have come and gone, and the world has not ended.
Controversial Christian broadcaster Harold Camping has acknowledged his faulty projections, and issued an apology to his followers. The Christian Post reports that the longtime radio evangelist has retired.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Your Man
I was wondering what song Scotty McCreery sings that goes "Baby lock the door and turn the lights down low". It was his audition song. Just heard again when Scotty went back to his hometown and the original singer (I assume) showed up.
The song is called Your Man by Josh Turner.
***
Now watching Lauren Alaina's audition when she sang with Steven Tyler the song Sweet Surrender. The song is actually titled I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing and was the theme song for the movie Armageddon (funny I don't remember that because Armageddon is one of my favorite movies).
The song is called Your Man by Josh Turner.
***
Now watching Lauren Alaina's audition when she sang with Steven Tyler the song Sweet Surrender. The song is actually titled I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing and was the theme song for the movie Armageddon (funny I don't remember that because Armageddon is one of my favorite movies).
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Mahiku Farmer's Market
That's the one I go to on Sunday morning. It's been at Kapalama Elementary (across Kam Shopping Center), but sometimes (like today) is at Gulick.
They have a website, but it's not very informative. But I see there's a bunch of other open/farmer's markets on the island throughout the week.
They have a website, but it's not very informative. But I see there's a bunch of other open/farmer's markets on the island throughout the week.
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Obama strikes back at Trump
WASHINGTON >> President Barack Obama exacted his revenge Saturday after weeks of attacks from his would-be Republican challenger Donald Trump, joking that the billionaire businessman could bring change to the White House, transforming it from a stately mansion into a tacky casino with a whirlpool in the garden.
With Trump in attendance, Obama used the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner to mock the reality TV star's presidential ambitions. The president said Trump has shown the acumen of a future president, from firing Gary Busey on a recent episode of "Celebrity Apprentice" to focusing so much time on conspiracy theories about Obama's birthplace.
After a week when Obama released his long-form Hawaii birth certificate, he said Trump could now focus on the serious issues, from whether the moon landing actually happened to "where are Biggie and Tupac?"
"No one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than 'the Donald,'" Obama said, referring to Trump's claims the same day that he was responsible for solving the issue.
For Trump's decision to fire actor Busey instead of rock singer Meat Loaf from his TV show earlier this month, Obama quipped: "These are the types of decisions that would keep me up at night. Well handled, sir."
And then, as a coup de grace, Obama showed a screen with his vision of how Trump could bring change to the White House. "Trump" was prominently displayed in glittery letters and girls could be seen with cocktails on a Jacuzzi-augmented front lawn.
Trump chuckled at some of the earlier jokes, but was clearly less amused as comedian Seth Meyers picked up where Obama left off.
"Donald Trump often talks about running as a Republican, which is surprising," said the Saturday Night Live actor, entrusted with providing some of the comedy for the evening. "I just assumed he was running as a joke."
Trump stared icily at Meyers as he continued to criticize the real estate tycoon.
Obama and Trump found themselves in the same room after an intense week of attacks from Trump, who has piggybacked on the birther conspiracies and even Obama's refusal to release his university grades to raise the profile of his possible presidential bid.
And the birth certificate was clearly the key punchline for the evening, which typically offers the president a chance to show off his humorous side and a town consumed by politics and partisanship to enjoy a light-hearted affair.
Obama's presentation started after the wrestler Hulk Hogan's patriotic anthem, "Real American," played. Images of Americana from Mount Rushmore to Uncle Sam were shown on the screen, alongside his birth certificate. And then he offered to show his live birth video, which turned out to be a clip from the Disney film, "The Lion King."
With Trump in attendance, Obama used the White House Correspondents' Association annual dinner to mock the reality TV star's presidential ambitions. The president said Trump has shown the acumen of a future president, from firing Gary Busey on a recent episode of "Celebrity Apprentice" to focusing so much time on conspiracy theories about Obama's birthplace.
After a week when Obama released his long-form Hawaii birth certificate, he said Trump could now focus on the serious issues, from whether the moon landing actually happened to "where are Biggie and Tupac?"
"No one is prouder to put this birth certificate matter to rest than 'the Donald,'" Obama said, referring to Trump's claims the same day that he was responsible for solving the issue.
For Trump's decision to fire actor Busey instead of rock singer Meat Loaf from his TV show earlier this month, Obama quipped: "These are the types of decisions that would keep me up at night. Well handled, sir."
And then, as a coup de grace, Obama showed a screen with his vision of how Trump could bring change to the White House. "Trump" was prominently displayed in glittery letters and girls could be seen with cocktails on a Jacuzzi-augmented front lawn.
Trump chuckled at some of the earlier jokes, but was clearly less amused as comedian Seth Meyers picked up where Obama left off.
"Donald Trump often talks about running as a Republican, which is surprising," said the Saturday Night Live actor, entrusted with providing some of the comedy for the evening. "I just assumed he was running as a joke."
Trump stared icily at Meyers as he continued to criticize the real estate tycoon.
Obama and Trump found themselves in the same room after an intense week of attacks from Trump, who has piggybacked on the birther conspiracies and even Obama's refusal to release his university grades to raise the profile of his possible presidential bid.
And the birth certificate was clearly the key punchline for the evening, which typically offers the president a chance to show off his humorous side and a town consumed by politics and partisanship to enjoy a light-hearted affair.
Obama's presentation started after the wrestler Hulk Hogan's patriotic anthem, "Real American," played. Images of Americana from Mount Rushmore to Uncle Sam were shown on the screen, alongside his birth certificate. And then he offered to show his live birth video, which turned out to be a clip from the Disney film, "The Lion King."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)