Flock

I am posting this from the Flock web browser. I think i might like this browser, atlest its something new.

Firefox extensions

I have to admit, even thought i don't really find del.icio.us or flickr very useful. I really do like the integration they have with Firefox.

If you use ether of those services check out

del.icio.us - Firefox Extension

FlickrFox - Firefox Extension

and if you have not already started using Firefox, then you should, since it is the browser of choice of all the cool kids.

Fresno Art Hop

I currently live in the city for Fresno, for those of you who don't know where that is I recommend going to google maps.

Overall Fresno is a ok city, but there isn't anything truly special about it. It has the basic problem of urban sprawl, few local shops and local flavor, and a downtown that has seen better days.

But it does have one things that really needs to be copied by other cities, Art Hop.

Art Hop happens the first Thursday of the month. During that night every art gallery is open to the public and shows off local artists. So for one wonderful night we have people walking all over town looking at art. It also helps that many of these place have free cheese, crackers, and wine.

I really enjoy this event, and hope to find it in other cities I move to.

Tax Cuts

Another great article from Oregon Center for Public Policy. This one is on tax cuts, check it out.

$1.9-Billion-a-Week Problem

Market Myth

Great article over at Oregon Center for Public Policy

Market Myth

"For years, the favorite myth of America's political and business leadership has been that the private marketplace operates like a force of nature. Hurricane Katrina - an actual force of nature - lays bare that this myth is inadequate, arrogant, and dangerous.

According to this myth, the market is perfect. It is a natural and benevolent force that rewards those who make productive choices. Failure is the result of individual character flaws or government intervention, or both.

Here’s why that’s inadequate: the market is a human, not divine, creation. Market outcomes depend on the health of human institutions and relationships, especially the capacity of our government to maintain fairness and protect opportunity for all. "

It basically sums up my issues with the "free" market in America. Worth reading even if you don't agree.

Haloscan commenting and trackback have been added to this blog.

Is paying for good grades good?

Over at Marginal Revolution they are talking about a program to pay school children for good performance at school. http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/ 2005/11/paying_for_perf.html

I think it is a interesting idea, and fits well with economic theory, but I really don't think it will work.

Alfie Kohn has a book called Punished by Rewards which shows that "while manipulating people with incentives seems to work in the short run, it is a strategy that ultimately fails and even does lasting harm". I have seen various research papers that dispute what Kohn has found, but I think his work needs to be taken into consideration when developing proposals like this one.

My fear is that this plan would only create a short term increase in test scores that would not actually result in the students being better students. What will happen when the student goes to college and no longer gets the immediate reward for good grades? What happens when they get a job and need to learn new skills and ideas, yet don't directly receive any direct compensation for it?

I hope that my fears are unfounded and this program works wonders to improve test scores and the quality of our school and students, but right now I have my doubts. I will just have to keep watch and hope for the best.

Friends

Last night was one of the more odd experiences in my life. I had one last night in Oregon, and many different friends to see. I had planned to see them throughout the week, but that didn't happen. I stuck with my family for basically the whole time, which was the right thing to do.

But then I wanted to see my friends, so I called a few, and they were all free at the same time. The problem was that there were basically 3 different groups, which all had some issues with each other.

The first was Bethany, this beautiful, smart, funny, women I meet last year in AmeriCorps*NCCC. She is amazing and I love hanging out with her. So we meet up at a local bar and hung out. Then a group of friends called and they also came out the bar. So we all sat and talked, which went better then I thought it would. Eventually Bethany got bored and went home which was ok. It wasn't like we were going to spend the whole night together.

The next issue was I have one friend who has some strange history with the group I was hanging out with. So basically I had to have this friend pick me up and we went to another bar for a few hours. This guy is really smart and has great life experience in the are of what I would call organizational structure and psychology. I find his thoughts and comments to be really insightful. He isn't perfect, but no one is, we all have our own personal demons we deal with. I still find him to be a very cool person to chat with.

After that I went back to my friends house and we hung out chatting till 5:00am. It was great, I had truly forgotten how great it is to talk with smart interesting people. I basically have 5 different people who where all intelligent and interesting to talk with all night.

Now I head back to Fresno where all night pseudo-intellectual conversation don't happen all that often.