Aspiring philosopher-queen Sarah O. Conly is an assistant professor of philosophy at Bowdoin College. A description of her Against Autonomy: Justifying Coercive Paternalism, published by Cambridge University Press in 2012: “Against Autonomy is a defense of paternalistic laws; that is, laws that make you do things, or prevent you from doing things, for your own […]
You should be forced to buy this book Read More »
I was interviewed by David Hutzelman on a variety of topics: entrepreneurial ethics, why business ethics should focus on the positive more than the negative, our cultural progress in developing institutions of trust and becoming comfortable with non-traditional social relationships. Here’s Part I of the interview: Update: The full interview is now available. In the
Television interview by David Hutzelman in Houston Read More »
In Japan, women are paying dentists to give them crooked teeth. The trend is driven partly by a pop group and, according to this explanation, wanting to enhance sexual attractiveness in the context of economic uncertainty: “The ‘girl next door’ look of accessibility and plainness is especially popular in Japan right now partly, I think,
Curious: snaggletooth fashion Read More »
I interviewed Arielle John, an economist at Beloit College, Wisconsin, about the influence of culture on entrepreneurship. Professor John focuses her research on Trinidad, and she starts by noting striking differences in entrepreneurship rates among Trinidad’s ethnic groups. Her explanation invokes the distinction between Kirznerian and Schumpeterian entrepreneurship, ethnic social networks, and Trinidad’s post-colonial political
Arielle John on entrepreneurship in Trinidad Read More »
My colleagues Matt Flamm and Shawn Klein will lead a discussion of the 1993 film, Groundhog Day. If you had to relive one day of your life repeatedly, what would you do? The discussion will take place on Monday, February 4th, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the CEE office at Rockford College. Light refreshments
Philosophy and Film Series: Groundhog Day Read More »
On January 31, Professor Arielle John will speak on “How culture influences entrepreneurial decision-making.” Professor John is a native of Trinidad and a Ph.D. candidate in economics from George Mason University. She currently teaches in the Department of Economics at Beloit College, Wisconsin. Contact Virginia Murr at CEE@Rockford.edu for details about time and location.
Professor Arielle John to speak at Rockford College Read More »
I was interviewed for Cosmoetica by Dan Schneider, mostly on themes from my Nietzsche and the Nazis documentary and book, but also on the nature of values, art, religion, corporations, and the meaning of life. Other interviews in the series include those with Daniel Dennett, Larry Sanger, and Steven Pinker.
Interviewed by Dan Schneider for Cosmoetica Read More »
Well worth reading: “I want to start with some apologies. For the record, here and upfront, I apologise for having spent several years ripping up GM crops. I am also sorry that I helped to start the anti-GM movement back in the mid 1990s, and that I thereby assisted in demonising an important technological option
Environmentalist Mark Lynas’s lecture to Oxford Farming Conference, 2013 Read More »
A fascinating working paper by economists Filipe Campante and Edward Glaeser about two initially very similar cities with divergent paths over the last century. Here is their abstract: Buenos Aires and Chicago grew during the nineteenth century for remarkably similar reasons. Both cities were conduits for moving meat and grain from fertile hinterlands to eastern
Comparing Buenos Aires and Chicago over the 20th century Read More »
Revising “The Twelve Days of Christmas” for your inner math geek. Vi Hart’s clever Gaussian “Christmath” song doodle:
Fun “Christmath” song Read More »