Monthly Archives: November 2009

This is What Happens When You Drop the Ball

Posted on Sat, 07 Nov, 2009 by pmjones

While DHS was busy putting tea parties and anyone who dares fly the official military Gadsen flag on the domestic terrorist watch list, a real terrorist was spouting off online, glorifying suicide bombings and our mission in Iraq. I mean, … Continue reading →

Posted in Civil Rights, Defense, Government, Politics, World War IV | 1 Comment

How Animals Decide Things

Posted on Sat, 07 Nov, 2009 by pmjones

When scientists put roaches into a dish containing identical shelters, they thought the roaches would fill one shelter and then use others for spillover. But the gregarious bugs defied expectations. When more than half the bugs could fit into one … Continue reading →

Posted in Emergence | Leave a comment

Structured Procrastination

Posted on Thu, 05 Nov, 2009 by pmjones

All procrastinators put off things they have to do. Structured procrastination is the art of making this bad trait work for you. The key idea is that procrastinating does not mean doing absolutely nothing. Procrastinators seldom do absolutely nothing; they … Continue reading →

Posted in Management | Leave a comment

When only the glib win, we all lose

Posted on Thu, 05 Nov, 2009 by pmjones

Memorize this: “I have some concerns, but I need a little time before I can really articulate them.” If you're a manager, or anyone who leads meetings and discussions, please PLEASE have respect for that phrase. It's unlikely (but possible, … Continue reading →

Posted in Management, Programming | Leave a comment

The Secret to Raising Smart Kids

Posted on Wed, 04 Nov, 2009 by pmjones

Our society worships talent, and many people assume that possessing superior intelligence or ability—along with confidence in that ability—is a recipe for success. In fact, however, more than 30 years of scientific investigation suggests that an overemphasis on intellect or … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Resilience | Leave a comment

Intelligent Design: An Islamic Designer?

Posted on Tue, 03 Nov, 2009 by pmjones

Creationism is growing in the Muslim world, from Turkey to Pakistan to Indonesia, international academics said last month as they gathered here to discuss the topic. But, they said, young-Earth creationists, who believe God created the universe, Earth and life … Continue reading →

Posted in Religion, Science | 2 Comments

Libertarians and Obama

Posted on Tue, 03 Nov, 2009 by pmjones

Obama has thus far turned out to be very liberal (statist would be a better adjective–bailouts of large corporations, political interference with bankruptcy law on behalf of special interests, going back on pledges to rein in earmarks, and so forth, … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | Leave a comment

ObamaCare: “a national version of the failing Massachusetts system”

Posted on Mon, 02 Nov, 2009 by pmjones

2) “Coverage” is not the same as actual medical care. Supporters of the Massachusetts plan frequently claim that it is a success because 98% of the state’s residents are now “covered.” But this is misleading, because it conflates theoretical “coverage” … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Government, Health Care | Leave a comment

The Spoiled Children of Capitalism

Posted on Mon, 02 Nov, 2009 by pmjones

People ask, “Why is there poverty in the world?” It’s a silly question. Poverty is the default human condition. It is the factory preset of this mortal coil. As individuals and as a species, we are born naked and penniless, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics | 2 Comments

A Cyber-Attack on an American City

Posted on Sun, 01 Nov, 2009 by pmjones

This is old (from April this year) but deserves reminding-about. Anyone know of any updates on the event? Just after midnight on Thursday, April 9, unidentified attackers climbed down four manholes serving the Northern California city of Morgan Hill and … Continue reading →

Posted in Defense, Resilience, Security, World War IV | 2 Comments