How many pages long is the U.S. income tax code? Political Calculations has a jarring chart.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Try Both/And Instead of Either/Or
It's odd. You'll find people who are very forgiving with the transgressions of others while being brutally harsh judges of their own conduct. They are great companions and boost the morale of everyone but brood when by themselves. They show respect to others while holding themselves in relatively low regard. They will work diligently to assist a stranger but then ease off when their own interests are at stake.
At some point, they bought the zero-sum notion that valuing and promoting yourself means taking away from others.
That idea is one of the most lethal poisons in the world.
At some point, they bought the zero-sum notion that valuing and promoting yourself means taking away from others.
That idea is one of the most lethal poisons in the world.
Friday, February 15, 2013
The Use of Contrast
Michael P. Maslanka discusses its power:
Want an example of effective use of contrast? Watch the movie "The Rainmaker," in which a large insurance company denies the claim of a very ill person who later dies. At closing argument, the patient’s lawyer holds up two pieces of paper: one says number of claims filed, the other number of claims denied. The first number is big, the second only about 20 percent smaller. No ELMO, no fancy graphics. Just the power of contrast.
Both Disturbing and Sad: When Truth Resembles Science Fiction
BBC News on the Russian meteor strike:
The Russian Academy of Sciences estimates that the meteor weighed about 10 tonnes and entered the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of at least 54,000 km/h (33,000mph).
The Russian Academy of Sciences estimates that the meteor weighed about 10 tonnes and entered the Earth's atmosphere at a speed of at least 54,000 km/h (33,000mph).
Silent Cal
George F. Will discusses the new book on one of our most under-rated presidents. [He mentions the famous chicken anecdote.] An excerpt:
When Harding died in August 1923, Coolidge had not seen him since March, but the new president, assisted by a splendidly named former congressman, C. Bascom Slemp, continued Harding’s program of cutting taxes, tariffs and expenditures. “I am for economy. After that, I am for more economy,” said the 30th president, whose administration’s pencil policy was to issue one at a time to each bureaucrat, who if he or she did not entirely use it up had to return the stub. Coolidge and Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon advocated “scientific taxation,” an early iteration of the supply-side economics theory that often lowering rates will stimulate the economy so that the government’s revenue loss will be much less than the taxpayers’ gain. Soon Coolidge was alarmed that economic growth was producing excessive revenue that might make government larger.
When Harding died in August 1923, Coolidge had not seen him since March, but the new president, assisted by a splendidly named former congressman, C. Bascom Slemp, continued Harding’s program of cutting taxes, tariffs and expenditures. “I am for economy. After that, I am for more economy,” said the 30th president, whose administration’s pencil policy was to issue one at a time to each bureaucrat, who if he or she did not entirely use it up had to return the stub. Coolidge and Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon advocated “scientific taxation,” an early iteration of the supply-side economics theory that often lowering rates will stimulate the economy so that the government’s revenue loss will be much less than the taxpayers’ gain. Soon Coolidge was alarmed that economic growth was producing excessive revenue that might make government larger.
If An Asteroid Hit The Earth
Instapundit notes the scenario and a comment. That triggers a somewhat weird question: If scientists were predicting - and I know that's a charged phrase - that a huge, will-end-life-as-we-know-it, asteroid would hit Earth in approximately three days, would you:
- Not take the prediction seriously and go to work?
- Not take it seriously but put in for some vacation time?
- Grab the family and head for the hills?
- Spend time in spiritual reflection?
- Start a party that would put Nero to shame?
- Load up on Doritos and beer and then watch TV?
Presentation Skills Blues
I watched a presentation the other day. My grade for it would be a C-minus if generous and perhaps even a D.
The substance was fine and the presenter knew his stuff but the presentation was disjointed. Multiple PowerPoint sins were committed. The pointer was mishandled. The theme was unclear.
By the end, most of the audience probably thought they knew, but were not sure they really knew, what had been presented. You had to work to find out what was being proposed.
Now here's the jarring part: The presenter makes these briefings several times a year. They are part of his business. True, I'm far from unbiased on the subject of presentations. I left the room wondering if his and similar firms are even open to receiving coaching on their presentation skills.
One thing is certain: They have the capacity to do a fine job. It may be, however, that an okay job is all they desire. A fine job may be regarded as unnecessary.
And that should work, I suppose, so long as the competition has the same attitude.
The substance was fine and the presenter knew his stuff but the presentation was disjointed. Multiple PowerPoint sins were committed. The pointer was mishandled. The theme was unclear.
By the end, most of the audience probably thought they knew, but were not sure they really knew, what had been presented. You had to work to find out what was being proposed.
Now here's the jarring part: The presenter makes these briefings several times a year. They are part of his business. True, I'm far from unbiased on the subject of presentations. I left the room wondering if his and similar firms are even open to receiving coaching on their presentation skills.
One thing is certain: They have the capacity to do a fine job. It may be, however, that an okay job is all they desire. A fine job may be regarded as unnecessary.
And that should work, I suppose, so long as the competition has the same attitude.
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