Here’s a list of articles that I have been reading and videos that I have been viewing lately:
Holy Men
After reading this review of the new blockbuster film “Noah”, I think I’ll pass…
Mr. Putin’s Revealing Speech
“At the Kremlin, he makes the case for an increasingly aggressive Russia, Peggy Noonan writes.”
The President’s Foreign Policy Paradox
“In The Wall Street Journal, Walter Russell Mead writes that Obama’s global wish list can’t be achieved while decreasing commitments overseas.”
Advice for a Happy Life by Charles Murray
“Consider marrying young. Be wary of grand passions. Watch ‘Groundhog Day’ (again). Charles Murray offers some tips on how to live to the fullest, adapted from his new book, ‘The Curmudgeon’s Guide to Getting Ahead.’
Twenty Feet from Stardom
“Directed by Morgan Neville. With Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill. Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we’ve had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead, until now…” This is an awesome documentary – I highly recommend it!
College sports unions: ‘Careful what you wish for’
“Assuming the ruling on Wednesday that allows Northwestern University football players to unionize stands all challenges, it may not be so easy to do.”
Minimum wage hike’s unexpected drawback for the poor
“As income rises, government aid program payments are either reduced or cut off entirely, leaving those with wage hikes at a disadvantage.”
How Autism Can Help You Land a Job
“Some employers are viewing autism as an asset and not a deficiency in the workplace. Software company SAP, for instance, believes features of autism may make some individuals better at certain jobs.”
Religious Groups Split on ‘Noah’ Judgment
“Hollywood’s first big-budget Bible movie in almost 50 years draws mixed reactions for straying from the original text.”
Obamacare’s Year of Delayed Deadlines
Bloomberg Businessweek looks at the law’s recent track record…
Want a Raise? Quit Your Job
A particularly interesting takeaway from this article is that quit rates tend to be higher when the labor market recovers since already employed workers quit jobs in order to take advantage of better opportunities (I.e., a better match and often a bump in pay). Of course when this occurs it also creates opportunities for unemployed workers to find gainful employment. Unfortunately the labor market remains weak; thus quit rates remain somewhat suppressed and with limited labor market mobility this limits wage growth…
