Opinions/Commentary

By bgierke
December 29, 2008

Balzac wrote: “Behind every great fortune lies a forgotten crime.” Combine that thought with Buffet’s" only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked” and you a great take of the current financial landscape.

And while not quite completely systemic (thanks Mr. Buffet!) corruption and bad practice are, of course, rife. The headlines have never before been filled with such a torrent of tales of Ponzi schemes, corruption, bribery, self delusion, and disingenuity. Well maybe not never. Paul Krugman and others have compared this state of affairs with the collapse of the gilded age.

December 19, 2008 by bgierke

Yet again, the 'Economist' comes through. A bit in the December 4, 2008 edition basically sets forth how healthy, intelligent, and sexy I am.

I’ve long known that all the hot chicks can’t take their eyes off of me, but my wife and kids never believe it. I’m certain they won’t now disagree. The thought of their chagrin is delicious beyond words.

In a piece titled: “Balls and brains” we learn of recent research testing a thesis attempting to explain a newly discovered interrelationship between intelligence and health. (As you will see, the thesis also tests political correctness).

One view would hold that smart people, on average, make smart choices about such things as tobacco and exercise. In other words, their intelligence would translate into good health.

With the growing popularity of Apple's iPhone and other internet-capable phones, Google has rolled out a mobile version of its popular AdWords program for search.

Nearly 70 percent of internet-capable phone users utilize their "phone" for searches (i.e. movies, restaurants, gas stations, Starbucks) while on the go. Feeding AdWords (paid text or image ads) along with the search results (just like Google on your desktop/laptop) was a no-brainer.

On the other end, advertisers will have the ability to choose whether to feed their "sponsored" ad words to mobile devices. For some advertisers, mobile ads won't make sense and they can opt out of mobile searches in their AdSense account preferences.

Economy advances 'tipping point' for print newspapers

By bgierke

Several days ago I listened to the husband/wife team of Dorothy Cheney and Robert Seyfarth discuss their book Baboon Metaphysics on National Public Radio's 'Fresh Air.' (Terry Gross is the interviewer nonpareil!) It was a fascinating discussion of the incredibly complex fabric of baboon society.

The title was taken from words of Charles Darwin: “Origin of man now proved. Metaphysic must flourish. He who understands baboon would do more toward metaphysics than Locke.” Darwin therewith asserts a greater complexity to the mind than Locke’s (and later BF Skinner et al’s) tabla rasa.

From the book: “Darwin disagreed - both with the conclusion that animals’ thoughts and behavior are entirely based on instinct and with the view that human thought and behavior are governed entirely by reason.”

by Budge Gierke

I started taking all of my children rock-climbing at a very early age and have enjoyed the experiences more than I ever could have imagined. Usually. Upon a few occasions, terror and/or minor injury was/were unwelcome companions. Matter of fact, I probably did visit both upon each repeatedly. Has made me realize that child abuse is not as easy to define as I’d thought. And that, perhaps, it is sometimes inflicted without intent.

Early one morning many, many years ago, son Andrew and I made our way to the base of a cliff overlooking the river. As we hiked beneath its lush deciduous canopy that was yet spring green, Andrew gestured toward a broad soaring bird that we could only sporadically glimpse.

“Look at the hawk!” he exclaimed.

“Vulture,” I corrected without really looking.