Bank Errors

It's quite simple, really: If I made an error which shortchanged anyone, I'd be at fault.

Libertarianism

Wouldn't a true libertarian not be concerned with how far the US is "falling behind," dismissing the entire National Identity/competitive edge debate as a product of statist thinking?

Researching the United Nations, by Linda Tashbook

This should keep you busy for some time.


Linda Tashbook is the Foreign International Comparative Law Librarian at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Law's Barco Law Library, a Fulbright Senior Specialist, and an attorney in private practice. Prior to becoming the foreign and international librarian, she was the Barco Law Library's Electronic Services Librarian. Before law school, she worked as a public librarian. Her Juris Doctor and Master of Library Science degrees are from the University of Pittsburgh. Her Bachelor of Science degree is from Texas Woman's University.

Why Aren't You Speaking English

I've been meaning to post about this, and I will, I swear.

While I'm writing down my thoughts, mull it.


Update: Apparently, having No God threatens a church in Ohio. A not-so-undisputed list (see Comments) of failed states, courtesy of Foreign Policy.

More to come in my Evening Update of this post...

Franco Moretti

Franco Moretti says if you stand back you can Understand Literature, a stance summed up in this NY TIMES Article.

My comments are the following:

I have two objections to Moretti: 1) Perhaps if you seek to understand literature that's what you might do: pull out a chart and stand back from it all, seeking to get an aerial view. But seriously, who reads thinking that by finishing a few books we'll understand all of literature. (And don't readers read to understand reading, not literature?) And 2) what's all this bullshit about "sample size"? Literature isn't a fucking survey! If we believe that literature is comprised of words and deeds, then each book is filled with thousands of each, making reading even two books a pretty fruitful undertaking.

I don't purport to know why everyone reads, but it seems silly and naive to supplant the premise that by reading a few books one would ever "understand" anything with "Don't read books and you'll understand all of literature."

Agreed. His mapping techniques are interesting, and would be amazing to use in class (assuming everyone had read/was reading the text in question), but without reading over the language each author uses, claims to understanding seem -- like Plot on his charts -- thin.

The Military as Pluralistic Socialism

Bill O'Reilly knights himself as MC Rightnut. The Nation reimagines capitalist reality The military leads the fight against racism.