The Stock Market – Part 1
The Stock Market – Part 1 I no longer invest in individual stocks. This has partially to do with my distaste for the market as a place where people move …
Work in Progress
HEROES – Get ‘Em by the Bagful
HEROES – Get ‘Em by the Bagful The brazen manipulation of perception in America is rarely more in evidence than in our cult of manufactured hero worship. We the people …
Objective News Reporting
Objective News Reporting As long as we’re on the subject of subjective opinions and professional critics, let’s take a moment to look at objectivity as it applies to news reporting. There’s no …
Operant Definitions
Operant Definitions Fancy term. Simple concept. The operant definition is a cornerstone of the scientific method. Its purpose is to prevent spin. It means this: If you do an experiment, …
Spin
Spin Pretty much everything you hear out of official Washington, or your state capital or from your Congressman, has on it what’s known as spin. Here’s some evidence: Government officials at …
The Internet
The Internet Another easy one. If you don’t yet own a computer with access to the Internet, now would be a very good time to get yourself on-line. This is …
Existential Agony
Existential Agony Did you ever wonder who it was out there who was feeling all those things that we as humans supposedly all feel, except that you don’t feel that …
Athletes Endorsing Products
Athletes Endorsing Products I’ve been doing a lot of mouthing off, so let me ask you all a question: Do you really believe athletes endorse products because they think they’re …
Intuition
Intuition Many people tell you to trust your intuition. Is this a good idea? Listen to this: Suppose you have a sack of potatoes that weighs 100 pounds (not including …
Playing the Lottery
Playing the Lottery If you enjoy a little gambling, and think it’s fun to buy a couple bucks worth of lottery tickets every week and win five dollars back once …