Over at Inside Higher Ed they’ve got a piece titled “Massachusetts Should Tax Harvard” taking the position that most of the arguments against taxing extremely wealthy institutions of higher education are nonsense. You have to read all the way to the last paragraph to get to the one really interesting suggestion, though: Although I support… Continue reading Burying the Lede: Taxing Tuition
Month: May 2008
links for 2008-05-19
ruhlman.com: Flour, egg, milk Really simple popovers. (tags: food blogs) Dynamics of Cats : grade inflation “I had been worrying that my “curve” was tipping too far, too many As and Bs, but [threats are] not why – in fact student whingeing, if anything, would tip me towards harsher grading.” (tags: academia education society) Grits… Continue reading links for 2008-05-19
Horticulture Question
We’re very happy with Chateau Steelypips, and we especially enjoy our back yard: Of course, it’s not without its problems, as you can see in that picture (and another that I’ll put below the fold). The yard is pleasantly private and shady, thanks to a row of maples along the right side, and an enormous… Continue reading Horticulture Question
Cities in Their Old Age
Continuing the morning’s theme of “crushingly depressing stories from the New York Times,” there’s also a downer article about cities where there are more deaths than births: What demographers call a natural decrease has been occurring for years in tiny rural towns and in some retirement meccas in the South. But the phenomenon is relatively… Continue reading Cities in Their Old Age
Agricultural Research Cuts Threaten Food Supplies
Some cheery Sunday morning reading from the Times, showing the perils of short-term thinking when it comes to staying ahead of agricultural pests: The damage to rice crops, occurring at a time of scarcity and high prices, could have been prevented. Researchers at the International Rice Research Institute [in the Phillippines] say that they know… Continue reading Agricultural Research Cuts Threaten Food Supplies
links for 2008-05-18
California’s gay-marriage decision reflects the difference between judicial activism and, um judging. – By Dahlia Lithwick – Slate Magazine “Even though the majority did what it was supposed to do and offered up a rigorous close reading of state law and precedent, it will be defended and also criticized solely in terms of judicial elitism… Continue reading links for 2008-05-18
The Queen Surveys the Scene
“What the hell is this?” “We’re remodeling the garage into a family room.” “Oooh! That’s a good idea!” “Thanks. We’re so glad you approve.” “So, where are you going to put the bunny hutch?” “I beg your pardon?”
Sheet Rock Makes It a Room
Behold, an ordinary garage: Now, watch as it is transformed:
links for 2008-05-17
World Science Festival Blog Of course they have a blog– it’s 2008, for God’s sake… (tags: blogs science society culture education theater television movies art physics biology chemistry environment) Pharmaceuticals in the Environment, Information for Assessing Risk » Home “The database provides information on prescribed amounts, levels detected in aquatic environments, chemical structure, molecular weight,… Continue reading links for 2008-05-17
The Road to Woo is Paved with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
I’ve had recurring problems with hives for a couple of years now. I have, at times, jokingly attributed this to an allergic reaction to George W. Bush continuing to be President, but I really have no idea what, exactly, is causing the problem. My allergist says that it’s most likely an autoimmune thing, and thus… Continue reading The Road to Woo is Paved with Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria