Monthly Archives: January 2008

AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF INVESTING IN A PITCHER’S EARNINGS.

Posted on January 31, 2008 by Philip

AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF INVESTING IN A PITCHER’S EARNINGS. I posted here about the opportunity to invest in a percentage of pitcher Randy Newsom’s major league earnings. Now three journalists at Slate have made the investment. This article has a … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Sports | 1 Comment

WHY BANK EMPLOYEES SHOULD TAKE THEIR VACATIONS.

Posted on January 31, 2008 by Philip

WHY BANK EMPLOYEES SHOULD TAKE THEIR VACATIONS. Many years ago, an economist laughed when he told me that the Boston Federal Reserve Bank acted as if it were a real bank with money inside. They had the same security guards … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics | 2 Comments

THE ROGUE TRADER’S JOB DESCRIPTION.

Posted on January 31, 2008 by Philip

THE ROGUE TRADER’S JOB DESCRIPTION. About ten days ago, it was announced that a “rogue trader” at Societe General had taken stock trading positions that had cost that bank almost seven billion dollars. The bank made it known that while … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics | 2 Comments

DEAD DONKEYS.

Posted on January 30, 2008 by Philip

DEAD DONKEYS. Adam Gopnik reported here that “during the war between Siena & Florence in the middle of the 13th century, the Florentines attempted to start a plague in Siena by catapulting dead donkeys over the city walls….”

Posted in History | Leave a comment

FLAMING PIGS.

Posted on January 30, 2008 by Philip

FLAMING PIGS. Nick now has a blog reporting on his experiences studying at University College in London this semester. He reports here that he has learned that “in the First Punic War the Romans lit pigs on fire and sent … Continue reading →

Posted in History | 2 Comments

WORDS LONG AGO RAN FREE….

Posted on January 29, 2008 by Philip

WORDS LONG AGO RAN FREE…. Here is the story of how words and humans first came together.

Posted in History | Leave a comment

WIDE SARGASSO SEA.

Posted on January 28, 2008 by Philip

WIDE SARGASSO SEA. Annalisa, I recommend WIDE SARGASSO SEA, which was one of the books that your mother and I read aloud to each other. As with all of the books by Jean Rhys, be careful not to read about … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | 3 Comments

JEAN RHYS.

Posted on January 28, 2008 by Philip

JEAN RHYS. I was pleased to see that Art Garfunkel placed three books by Jean Rhys on his list of 135 favorite books. She is in distinguished company. (Tolstoy is the only writer with more than two if you count … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | 1 Comment

ON NOT READING KING LEAR.

Posted on January 27, 2008 by Philip

ON NOT READING KING LEAR. Christopher Morley wrote a book years ago in which the hero had never read KING LEAR. His theory was that he would be dying, and would say to himself, “Wait, you can’t die yet, you … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Shakespeare, Theater | Leave a comment

WHY GARFUNKEL IS RIGHT TO READ THE CLASSICS.

Posted on January 27, 2008 by Philip

WHY GARFUNKEL IS RIGHT TO READ THE CLASSICS. When I retired, I thought, “Now, I have the time to read all the books I want.” I soon realized that I can’t even keep up with the new books I want … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature | 3 Comments