Will facts and figures lead the townies to love us?

UM unveils a slick new web page aimed at local residents who don't think the university pays enough taxes.

Old books for sale

The 37th Annual Ann Arbor Antiquarian Book Fair is today at the Michigan Union, from 11-5. There is a modest admission charge, which supports the university's Bentley Historical Library.

Among the vendors is Motte and Bailey, my favorite among the local used books stores.

Matt Welch reports from the front lines ...

I will confess that my day of being called for jury duty in Montgomery County, Maryland over a decade ago featured a better video and shorter security lines than poor Matt's day in Brooklyn.

Some positive arborial news

The 250-year old tree that UM spent 400K in donor money to move last fall appears to be doing well.

The Joy of Cultural Appropriation

Palm Springs in the FT

... for a Louis Vuitton traveling fashion show at Bob Hope's house. The FT is correct that it is a very cool house, at least as best one can see without an invitation. It is not correct to say, though, that it is "far" above the valley. It is only a short way up the hill really. I like the term "brand narrative" as well but am not sure how to work it into a paper.

The American Association of Wine Economists gets noticed by the Colbert Report

The Colbert Report

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Note the wise remark about the dangers of generalizing from samples of study volunteers.

Hat tip: Orley Ashenfelter (at a conference in honor of Bob LaLonde)

Economics moment of Zen #12

"There is no late paper prison."

Robert LaLonde

Michigan on the role of free speech in academic life

I am with Miles Kimball that our university has done a good job of taking the high road on this, after some faltering around the showing of American Sniper.

The point of university is not to provide a greenhouse for delicate intellectual orchids. It is instead to prepare students to participate effectively in the life of the mind in both their personal and professional lives. Such participation implies the ability to effectively confront, engage with, and learn from ideas that differ from one's own.