The Regents' Cube

Apparently the official name for what I think of as the rotating lawsuit generator is actually the Regents' Cube. How can this heavy moving object not have a fence around it when it is less than 100 meters from the law school?

The last word on productivity

This blog rather sums it up.

Via: marginal revolutionaries

Dropping twenties in NYC

A fascinating Esquire piece on the power of the $20 bill.

It would be interesting to do a more systematic comparative study of different cites across the US:- NYC, DC, Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, LA.

This piece is worth remembering next time one reads some sanctimonious study of petty corruption in the third world.

Via Gulliver

Enough Obama

I'm sure you've been thinking the same thing I have. Where is Obama? You never see him on TV and no one ever seems to talk about him on the internet. So, if you are suffering from Obama deprivation, you can add more Obama to your life with these Obama checks. Four options are offered, each with a different picture and different inspirational saying, like "Yes, We Can!".

Actually, I'll just remain perplexed that people look to politicians of any flavor for guidance or inspiration. For me it is one of those mysteries of life, like the continued existence of White Castle restaurants.

Hat tip: Lisa Smith

Author bios

I found it very difficult the first time I had to write a little puff paragraph about myself. In my case it was for a conference program or web page and not a book, but the principle is the same as when you are writing it for a book, a magazine or an op-ed.

Dan Drezner wonders what it would be like if author bios were honest. I suspect that all of these are actually disguised references to real people but I only picked up two or three. Cass Bunstein, in particular, is not very well disguised, but then it is pretty flattering as well!

Stanford 34, Washington 14; Michigan 36, Indiana 33

Washington was done in at Stanford by lack of focus, three Jake Locker turnovers and Stanford's running back.

Michigan needed a (really) bad call in the last few minutes to save the day against Indiana.

I think both teams made it into the top 25 a bit prematurely. MSU is going to be even more pissed off than usual next week when Michigan comes to town given their close losses to Wisconsin and Notre Dame. On the other hand, I think ND is beatable for UW, given that they barely made it by Purdue yesterday and lost to Michigan.

And, to go back to last week when all things were glorious and good, here are some letters from USC fans in the LA times. My favorite:

Pete Carroll was simply protecting his princes by taking full responsibility for the Washington loss. To know what he was really thinking, simply recall former USC coach John McKay's reaction as coach of the newly formed, inept Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After another error-filled loss, he was asked, "What do you think of your team's execution?" "I'm all for it," McKay quipped.

David Wilczynski

Manhattan Beach

Boring parts of otherwise interesting jobs

The boring parts of my job are grading exams and writing letters of recommendation.

The boring part of the president's job is, evidently, taking photos. Obama demonstrates.

Via: instapundit