A tax move or trying to buy a legacy... I wonder. This reminds me of the story of the founding of the Nobel Prize.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Prize#History

I don't agree with the ad hominem attacks or his logic, however he does have a point. The costs of education have greatly outstripped inflation, even at state institutions. When this happens, I guarantee that some people are bilking the system.

The bad part is that it is really going to damage the US in the long run. In our post industrial economy, intellectual ability will be the best export, and that future is being marginalized as the investment is growing out of the average person's reach.

I am of two minds on this...

Even though the US diet isn't that great many of the diseases that were fairly common during the depression era are no longer that common. My dad knew of many kids that had rickets, and I have never known, or even heard of, a modern case.

I think, however, that many of the people that are taking vitamins, or even think that they are taking them (e.g. the placebo vs vitamin study) may become a little more health conscience and make it a point to eat their veggies.

What do you feel provides the most inspiration in others, in particular kids, to learn and do hands on tasks?

You are the quintessential tinkerer with a non-standard education. What was the key inspiration that started you on this path?

This is a pleasant surprise.

Hopefully the near 12 million pound savings can be expanded upon and cause others to follow suit.

No. I will check it out. Thanks!

No. It is called "what features are really important to me."

In the mean time they have made it substantially more difficult to configure the rejection of cookies.

Jesus... I'm actually thinking IE is better at this point.

Quite frankly, why would anyone? There are places where automation and real time data feeds make sense, like an ICU for example. I have to honestly ask myself, what would this bring me? Happiness? Peace of Mind? Not really. I'm already connected enough. I don't want my appliances, car, whatever... jacked in. I see no real benefit, but a lot of risk.

When I upgraded my phone the decision not to get a smart phone was easy. What is the payoff? I give easier access to corporations and/or government easier ways to keeps tabs on me. What would the benefit be? More access to email? Woohoo! That is exactly what I'm striving for. I've long accepted the fact that I'm really not that important and perpetual access is not something that I really need or want. I have a gps in my car. It gets me in the ballpark without being a transmitter. I'm not scanning UPCs to see what a better deal I can find at the spot. If it's that important, I will do the research and make a decision. Plus, I also like brick and mortar stores. I knowingly pay extra in the hopes that I can help keep them around. In particular, I fear the demise of bookstores. I've found some real gems going into a local book store and perusing.

That is not to say that the internet doesn't have its place either. This last weekend I was able to replace the stepper motors in the instrument cluster of my truck thanks to youtube and finding the parts on the internet.

The took a page from their book and made a bridge over troubled waters.

Awesome!

Not just her and her ilk, but the unintended consequences of govt programs...

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=how-cia-fake-vaccination-campaign-endangers-us-all&WT.mc_id=SA_CAT_HLTH_20130507

I think we will see a much larger spike in developing countries.

The histories of vaccination programs are both wonderful and sad. I'm amazed that they were able to eradicate small pox, but the stories of how close they have come to eradicating polio only to have it fail is a testament to the challenges that we face and how important a role of sane health and foreign policy and education play in all of our lives.

This is something that I truly worry about it. We are constantly bombarded with new outrages and many people are like "meh, it sucks. but what you gunna do?"

Is there an antidote?

There are statistics that cover the expected frequency of events caused by radiation in the first couple of pages.

http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E19095-01/sf3800.srvr/816-5053-10/816-5053-10.pdf

I would recommend reading "On Killing" by Lt. Colonel Grossmen. I think there is a disconnect between the violence we see and the reality of actual violence.

In the beginning of the book he makes on interesting point. I would ask how many of you have ever really killed an animal for food? We did some on the farm, but mostly I witnessed the result of coyote attacks on our sheep. Later, between my eight and ninth grade year, I worked putting in a large scale freezer unit for a rural meat packing plant. The reality and the gravity of being around actual slaughter brings about a sense of revulsion and guilt. It is not something done lightly. I threw up the first time I shot a bird when I was a kid and that put me off hunting for a long while.

I haven't finished the book yet, and there are parts that I am unsure about, but regardless, it's worth the effort to read.