Thursday, February 9, 2012

Greece seems to have a negative Keynesian Multiplier...This will not end well for them...See chart here

Source: Spegiel via Chartporn
Greece has borrowed a considerable sum of money (relative to their National Income (GDP)) but their output (GDP) has suffered a significant decline.  If you borrow money and your GDP remains stable or increases marginally, then you can/could claim that the borrowing helped.

But if you (Greece) borrow and your GDP continues a steep decline, then you are in trouble...

Monday, February 6, 2012

Map of Meth Labs in the US. Before looking, which State do you think has the MOST meth labs (by a BIG margin)?

Dept of Justice via Megan McCardle
That would be Missouri by quite a margin...

Go HERE to see a series of maps just like these dating back to 2004. See how the numbers dramatically decreased but are starting to creep back up. 

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Anthropologists usually study great societies from the past. Isn't this ironic?

This morning there is an article in the NYTIMES about the recruitment of International students to the University of Washington (the State of Washingtion), mainly from Asian countries and specifically China. International students pay up to 3 times as much in tuition than resident students. 
Critics suggest the University is stepping up the admissions of international students at the expense of in-state students solely for budgetary reasons.

Most of these international students are majoring in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) subjects and will take that expertise home with them.

I wondered what major was popular at the U. of Washington:

""Undoubtedly all of you have heard about the significant cuts facing higher education in Washington State. The squeeze is particularly tight for our deparment, since anthropology remains the fastest growing major in our college, with nearly 6oo undergraduate majors."" (Source HERE)
Nothing wrong with Anthropology! (Really, I think it is awesome).  However, in a context of a global economy undergoing massive transition deep into this century, do we need....Ok, I am going to stop there.

On the page I found the above quote, I also found this record achievement they were touting on the homepage:
Source: University of Washington Anthropology Dept
Well, I suppose the last one has some relevance in this case...Just sayin'...
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