I wonder how do javascript engines optimize hash table lookups. Especially since it is faster to access a member of an object than to access a variable of an outer function. It seems to me that the former requires a hash table lookup with a string key while the later suffices with a pointer into the closure of an outer function and the offset of the variable.

At first I thought the color scale meant the gravity pull at the ground level. But then it may also mean the distance of a point on the gravitational geoid shape from the center. The two explanations are not equivalent. So which is it?

There are countries with just a single rate of VAT for all goods and services. I live in one and must say it has definitely decreased tax fraud and consequently organized crime.

Besides, it seems more just to me. Who is to tell which good or service ought to be preferred by lower VAT rate?

Well, I'd really like to see arguments for the lowered rate for services.