Homines libenter quod volunt credunt
Posted in Education, incentives, Institutions, You Can't Have it Both Ways on Nov 7th, 2012
My dear alma mater is a shining 21st century example of the Smallpox Blanket. I’d argue that the dissemination of the smallpox is not directly intended, as history suggests was the intention of our dear Old Lord Jeffrey, but rather the 21st century blankets are the unintended consequences of the appeals to symbolism that rule […]
Posted in Central Planning, Corporatism, Economic Illiteracy, Environment, ethical foundations, incentives, Institutions, Politics, Resources, You Can't Have it Both Ways on Oct 24th, 2012
The USA Today reports on its findings regarding the “sustainability” of LEED buildings. A triumph indeed. The saddest part: More than 200 states, cities and federal agencies now require LEED certification for new public buildings, even though they have done little independent and meaningful research into LEED’s effectiveness. LEED can add millions to construction costs […]
Posted in incentives, Taxation, Voluntary Society, Welfare State, You Can't Have it Both Ways on Oct 23rd, 2012
Here is yet one more illustration for why one might argue such: Because universities are non-profit institutions, wealthy boosters, alums, or corporations can write off 80% of the cost from income taxes when they purchase club seats and luxury suites. That was from the Economics of Intercollegiate Sports. Remember the wise Bastiat: “Government is the […]
Posted in incentives, Politics on Oct 1st, 2012
How is the implementation of Dodd-Frank coming along? The July 2010 Davis Polk update–the two-year anniversary of the legislation–offers some additional detail: “The two years since Dodd-Frank’s passage have seen 848 pages of statutory text expand to 8,843 pages of regulations. Already at almost a 1:10 page ratio, this staggering number represents only 30% of […]
Posted in Corporatism, incentives, Public Choice on Jun 30th, 2012
About 25 years ago Julian Simon asks the same question. It is useful to think of whether this is better or worse today (I paraphrase): Think about all of the solicitors knocking on your door, calling your phone, sending you mail, sending you e-mail or otherwise stopping you. What percentage of those solicitations is to […]
Posted in Education, incentives, Institutions on Apr 28th, 2012
The average time to degree at Western Governors University is 2.5 years. By the way, when students wish to complete a degree early at my dear college, the college charges them for virtually the entire year’s worth of tuition to do so. Talk about collegiality! Of course, it IS very costly to attract and retain […]
Posted in incentives, Institutions on Mar 3rd, 2012
For about three years I have had my undergraduate TAs do a lot of my grading. I can write more one day on what I ask of them and why I like them. Over that time period, I have taken samples of about 5% of the things that they grade, and quietly grade them myself […]
Posted in incentives, Institutions on Jan 14th, 2012
I just learned that the large blue books that I use to give essay examinations in cost $1.00 each! They’re 12 pages (6 sheets) of lined 8.5″ by 11″ paper. If you asked me what I thought they cost I probably would have said 10 cents each. I use somewhere between 300 and 500 of […]
Posted in incentives, Paternalism, Regulation on Dec 6th, 2011
One of my favorite places in western NY happens to be right by my home – Mendon Ponds Park. I especially love to cross-country ski, snowshoe, and ice-skate there in the winter. In any case, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find places to sled in Monroe County anymore. This is rather startling since the […]
Posted in incentives on Aug 13th, 2011
Today is the 3rd Anniversary of my start date here at the U of R (i.e. I am entering my 4th year here). The men’s room here on our floor has 4 sinks and two soap dispenser. The sinks are arrayed in a horizontally line from 1 to 4. The first dispenser sits above and […]