Really curious how far this will go, and what will come to light. The political incentives are so bad around the current implementation, I hope this and similar cases will significantly reform the process: stricter use, better oversight.
Egypt overhauls constitution, empowers military →
The amended document enshrines personal and political rights in stronger language than past constitutions. But rights experts express fears that the political power carved out for the military could leave those rights irrelevant.
One key clause states that for the next two presidential terms, the armed forces will enjoy the exclusive right of naming the defense minister, an arrangement that gives the military autonomy above any civilian oversight and leaves the power of the president uncertain. The charter does not say how the post will be filled following that eight-year transitional period.
Diary: Sistema →
"...It was the system in miniature – the strange intermeshing of corruption and scrupulousness (you did have to go through the motions of the test), the role of officialdom as both obstructor and enabler, the co-option and the simulation."
The "rational" basis for this game is a very bizarre calculus. I'm astounded by how much work people will put into appearing to be on the up-and-up.
Some simple economics of drone delivery →
I'm still wondering how they get around the FAA's strict disapproval. And given the Tesla's horrible press, imagine if we get robots falling out of the sky. But Joshua ignores those for some good, quick economic conjecture.
It's a ladybug's life! Photographer captures the tiny world of insects in crystal-clear detail →
Gorgeous photos
Wreck the Malls →
Average hourly wages of retail workers have fallen by almost 30% (repeat: ALMOST THIRTY PERCENT) over the last forty years, when adjusted for inflation. Noone should wonder why so many people work second or third jobs AND STILL seek help from the government.
A 31-Year-Old Is Tearing Apart the Heritage Foundation →
Ye gods, what a horror story. Roided short-termism. A microcosm of the narrowmindedness and megalomania that's infected US conservatism.
Design Quality and Customer Delight as Sustainable Advantages →
Endogeneity, reverse causation, misunderstanding your sample...
I am regularly delighted by the social scientific thinking behind Gruber's writing. It may not conform to journal format (and he doesn't reference the Literature! ), but scientists thinking about communicating their ideas to a lay audience should study this dude's long-form pieces.