I’ve decided to include, from time-to-time, a broader-array of content to Plan B Economics. However, I’ll be sticking to stuff that is thought provoking in some shape or form (that includes music, humor, art, etc.).
The manifesto of Plan B Economics has always been to present an alternate universe of opinion and ideas around finance and economics. I’ll remain true to my original intent…but will expand this mandate to other subjects.
Let’s see how this works out.
Unemployed Stormtrooper II
Unemployed Stormtrooper For Chicago Mayor
Ronald Reagan, as Portrayed by Phil Hartman
The report based on the book Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses found that after two years of college, 45% of students learned little to nothing. After four years, 36% of students learned almost nothing.
“There’s a lot of evidence to suggest that motivated kids are going to make money whether or not they go to college,” says James Altucher, managing partner at Formula Capital. “So teach your kids how to be motivated. Teach your kids how to sell a product, build a network of connections. That’s going to be far more valuable.”
Rethinking College as Student-Loan Burdens Rise
Also read the real-life example of a somewhat absent-minded medical student: The $555,000 Student-Loan Burden
To keep food relatively cheap we’ve had to think about farming the same way Henry Ford thought about car manufacturing. What we’ve ended up with is a supply chain that is squeezed to the edge of safety and morality in the effort to make a buck. Would we change if we knew how the system worked?
“If you knew where your food was coming from, and you knew what those animals are going though…. and if you knew what the workers were going though, and if you knew about the farmers who had been destroyed to make that factory profitable then you wouldn’t buy the food.” Bobby Kennedy Junior.
Chromaroma Visualisations from Mudlark on Vimeo.
Using your Oyster Card and Bike Key, Chromaroma lets you play the city as you travel. It tells you stories, gives you points, and visualizes your movements on an interactive map of London.
I find these interesting…old newspaper front pages give an idea of the mood at the time.
Here are a few particularly soul-sucking ‘recommendations’ (loosely translated). I can’t think of anything more stifling than to have my wardrobe micromanaged by corporate nit-wits:
“While blazers are equipped with pockets, they were not designed to contain a large number of personal effects or accessories. Leave these empty, so they do not deform.”
“Only when it is very hot, and after confirmation of your supervisor, can you wear the shirt without a jacket.”
“The jacket must completely cover your posterior.”
“Sunglasses cannot be worn on top of the head.”
“Piercings, besides earrings, and tattoos are prohibited. Tattoos, piercings or anklets are outdated and do not look professional.”
“If you wear a watch, it suggests reliability and that punctuality is of great concern to you.”
“After having worn a pair of shoes, allow your shoes at least one day, so let the leather dry out and rest.”
“The tip of your tie should under no circumstances enter your pants.”
“Do not wash, nor ever iron your shirts yourself.”
Here’s the full deal (in case you read French)
Features such gems as:
- No cuff links
- No using tie knots that don’t match your face shape and/or body shape
- No eating garlic and onions
Sounds like a joy. Where do I send my resume?
CHOICEFUL
OPEN THE KIMONO
TOUCH POINTS
360
THE NEW NORMAL
ALL THE WAY TO BRIGHT
SOCIAL
SUSTAINABILITY
MONETIZE
AT THE END OF THE DAY
Source: Ad Age
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I’ve seen it and been through it. Employees quit jobs because their spirit has been destroyed. They feel like they’ve given 110% of their soul to a role only to to be left unfulfilled and unrewarded. What’s more, once their energy is zapped, every menial, redundant, ridiculous task feels like the thousandth paper cut.
Here are five ways to ensure your employees remain fresh and engaged:
A prize-winning racehorse isn’t run at full speed 100% of the time, and isn’t pulling carts during its spare time. If managers want their employees to win races, they need to be focused on the actions needed to help them win.
The video is absolutely stunning: a remote-controlled plane flies over and around the Brooklyn Bridge, buzzes the Statue of Liberty, and explores New York from a point of view even “real” airplanes rarely see.
With the recent WikiLeaks release rocking the free world (somewhat), we’re quickly learning that journalism is now a medium-agnostic endeavor. While the death of newspapers has led some to predict the death of journalism, Web 2.0, micro blogs, interactive reporting and an overall integrated approach to news, analysis and thought proves that journalism is actually experiencing a renaissance.
The Internet has democratized what was previously a media oligarchy. The traditional media often dismisses alternative sources as ‘crack pot’ or ‘unreliable’. I agree that the range of quality reporting has widened, however, with the rise of user interactivity non-traditional sources are subject to real time checks and balances. Moreover, without the binds of corporate bureaucracy, advertising contracts and a burdensome infrastructure, new media has enabled journalism to explore the dark, untouched crevices of the world.
“When they say the web has destroyed journalism, we forget how much journalism it has enabled. There are more resources in my backpack than the newsroom I walked into. It’s a backpack as big as a newsroom.”
–David Carr
Apparently, Canadian government advisors and Palin think alike…Canadian professor and advisor to the PM’s office calls for the assassination of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
I agree that Assange pushes the boundaries of journalistic freedom, possibly entering illegal territory. But exposing government truthisms deserves death??? What the hell is happening to this society?
