Category Archives: Random
Random Thoughts on… Grammar (revisited)
Excerpt from “Oaf of Office,” a recent op-ed in the New York Times by Harvard professor Steven Pinker: Language pedants hew to an oral tradition of shibboleths that have no basis in logic or style, that have been defied by … Continue reading
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Random Thoughts on… Comedy
A Consultant’s Interpretation of Comedy A Layman’s Interpretation of a Consultant’s Matrix STARS: These jokes have the potential of getting big laughs from a widespread audience. Classic bathroom humor, fashion faux pas, Amy-Winehouse-style cocaine addiction, and making fun of Ryan … Continue reading
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Random Thoughts on… Moral Hazard
An argument for studying economics is that one will leave school with an extensive knowledge of concepts and theories that are applicable in the real world. An argument against studying economics, however, is that these theories are typically limited to … Continue reading
Random Thoughts on… Cutting Back
During the past few months, the S&P 500 has fallen nearly 30%. Hedge fund managers and i-bankers are losing their jobs. Gordon Gekko is trading in his Ferragamo loafers for food. Trendy derelictque fashion lines may soon reflect our dire reality. We’re squeezed for some cash. So, … Continue reading
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Random Thoughts on… Halloween
I’m guessing that if you go out tonight, you’ll see an assortment of scandalous Sarah Palins and sexy Joe the Plumbers. There will also be a glut of nurses, cabaret dancers, and schoolgirls, because we all know that Halloween is … Continue reading
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Random Thoughts on… Writing
I started writing at age six, with my short story “The Chilly Penguin”. My mother tacked it up on the refrigerator, with my drawing of a penguin, and dreams of a writing career took off. In elementary school, I wrote … Continue reading
Random Thoughts on… Optimism
About six years ago, I went to a Red Sox game with my father. He had gotten tickets from a co-worker who didn’t want them anymore, and had sold them to my dad for a small profit. To be honest, … Continue reading
Random Thoughts on… Reason (and the Financial Crisis)
Reason: (noun): a basis or cause, as for some belief, action, fact, event, etc. Logic. (From Dictionary.com) Reason tells us that 1+1=2. It tells us that if you leave milk out for too long, it will spoil. It tells us … Continue reading
Random Thoughts on… Irony
In Politics Exxon Mobil sponsoring CNN’s broadcast of the VP debate last night, especially given that both candidates embraced the populist approach of bashing “big oil”. (1) Sarah Palin’s performance in the debate being considered a success because she was … Continue reading
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Random Thoughts on… Aliens
On this blog, we have talked at length about the problems that have challenged our country and our economy. The next few weeks will be a trying time for Americans as we maneuver through the throes of a recession, uncertainty, … Continue reading
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