Voter qualification

The movement in the US to make it easier to become a voter is a step in the wrong direction.  The original constitutional voter requirements were very restrictive and meant a person had to have a vested interest in the welfare of the country by owning property.
I do not think property ownership should determine who votes, but I would like to see a test that would indicate some knowledge of how the government functions or is supposed to function.
For example, knowledge that appropriation bills are initiated in the House and not the Senate or the Executive Dept.
The idea that because you were born in the US and are of sufficient age, should not be enough to let you vote.  My dogs have better judgment than a lot of people who are allowed to vote.  And probably better judgment than a lot of people who are elected to office.

Detroit versus Port Sudan

Having recently seen a few films made in large, old, decayed American cities, for example Detroit or Philadelphia, I was depressed by how deteriorated some of these places appear in films.  Almost on a par with cities ravaged by wars.
Then I was scanning google earth and decided to home in on Port Sudan.
Port Sudan looks much more prosperous and agreeable than Detroit.
I know Detroit has good areas, but if I were looking for work as a logistics guy or even IT, which would be more desirable and less dangerous, Detroit or Port Sudan?

Stravinski's Firebird and the Rite of Spring

Decades ago when I bought records as much for price as for content, I bought a LP of Stravinski's Firebird on one side and Debussy's Nocturnes on the other.  I liked both sides but have listened to the Firebird hundreds of times in the last 40 years and the Debussy much less.

In mid 2009 we had the opportunity to see Stravinski's The Rake's Progress at La Scala.  It was a most elaborate, modern production but not having heard the music before, I was not overly enthusiastic about the opera music itself.

Now we have seen 3 ballets in the Béjart Serata at La Scala.  The 3 were the Firebird, Mahler's Errant Champignon, and Stravinski's Rite of Spring.  The Mahler piece had a male vocal accompanist and 2 dancers.  It was very pleasant but not exciting like the Rite of Spring.  The choreography of the Firebird was so closely matched to the music that it was astounding.  Since I knew the music for so long, I always wondered how it would look.  I think I expected a more elaborate costume for the Firebird but I was not disappointed.

The Rite of Spring was also very well tied to the music and in this case put more meaning into the music which I was not familiar with.

Precision versus accuracy

A few years ago someone explained the difference between precision and accuracy but I did not grasp it and am not sure I understand it now, except maybe with this example from recent experience with both digital and analog bathroom scales.
What is seems to me is precision is the refinement of the number being given.  For example, my new digital bathroom scale says I am 77.7 kg.  So it indicates a precision to the nearest tenth of a kilogram.  Whatsmore it will give this answer 3 times in a row from an off setting to the reading.  Now this could be just clever programming on the part of the scale manufacturer who makes the scale give the same reading as previously if the new reading is within say 1% of the previous measurement.  This would mean the scale would only need to remember one value when it is off.

Accuracy is an indication of how close the measurement is to reality.  If I actually weigh 50 kg and the scale says 77.7, it does not mean much that there is an indicated precision of about 0.1 kg when the real value is so different.  I would rather a scale give an accurate but less precise reading than a precisely inaccurate value.

This brings us to the confusing area of modern economic forecasting.  I recall a joke in the Economist many years ago:
Why do economists give their estimates of future events to the nearest tenth of a per cent?
Answer: To show they have a sense of humor.

Unfortunately, I suspect this is not the reason they give these kinds of responses.  I will let you list the numerous possibilities, most of which are not complimentary to the estimators, especially those employed by universities, governments, banks, and investment advisors.

It therefore pleased me recently to hear repeatedly that Ben Bernanke and other government financial officials were forecasting a weak recovery rather than giving precise numbers.  Having said that, there are frequently many reasons for government officials to lie about what they think and about what they know and that is not dependent upon the form of government.   While they try to appear upbeat about the future, this may in fact prevent actions being taken which would improve the situation.

So in general in the future I will try to be less precise and more accurate.  An easy approach to this is to give estimates in 3 classes: small, medium, or large. 
What will the US deficit be next year?  Large.
What are the chances the new US health insurance plan will be well executed?  Small.
What will future US petroleum imports be?  Large.
What are my chances of losing a little weight in the next year?  Medium.  I have to be a little optimistic or I won't even try.