ROBERT SAMUELSON LOOKS AT CULTURE AND POVERTY. The notion that some cultures are more likely to produce prosperity is troublingly non-multi-culti, but it is nonetheless correct. Prosperity doesn’t happen on its own. It requires certain basic features that not all societies have, or even want.
This is based on Gregory Clark’s new book, A Farewell to Alms, which I’ve mentioned here before.
FROM JAMES LILEKS, a retro Halloween.
MAN BITES DOG: CNN reports on improving security in Iraq. Video at the link.
IMPORTANT HEALTH NEWS: “While the doldrums that follow lunch are still not completely understood, recent research strongly supports a brief nap to treat them.” Naps are good.
DISQUIET ON THE DANUBE: Hungarians take to the streets.
MY COLLEAGUE BEN BARTON: The Justin Timberlake of the law professoriate? Personally, I think he’s more talented. And I know he has better taste in women . . . .
A WEBSITE THAT LETS YOU create your own cookbook. I like the idea for All Corn, All the Time. But according to James Lileks, that’s now politically incorrect. “It’s the new tobacco. Squanto’s Revenge!”
LONGEVITY UPDATE: In the Washington Post, Joel Garreau writes: “Aubrey de Grey may be wrong but, evidence suggests, he’s not nuts. This is a no small assertion. De Grey argues that some people alive today will live in a robust and youthful fashion for 1,000 years.”
Thoughts on aging research as an election issue, here. And more background can be found here.
BEAUCHAMP ERRORS UNCORRECTED at the Los Angeles Times.
REASONS TO HATE cellphone carriers.
EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN: Russians ordered to attend Putin rallies.
BOILING MAD.
OPTING FOR TOLERANCE in Iraq.
CHARLES JOHNSON demands a retraction from the Huffington Post over false death-threat claims.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
CHALLENGING TIME to get its facts straight.
UPDATE: More: “Poor Mark Kukis, Time writer in Baghdad.”
REBECCA AGUILAR UPDATE: Writing in today’s Dallas Morning News, Aguilar supporter Mark Davis argues that suspension is enough punishment, and that dismissal is unwarranted. Read the whole thing.
LEARNING TO love the prosperous.
SCENT OF A FUHRER.
IN THE MAIL: S.M. Stirling’s Ice, Iron, and Gold.
THE ANBAR AWAKENING spreads to Taji.
UPDATE: Contagious cooperation.
FLYING THE CROWDED SKIES: “In the United States, airlines are making money despite delays and horrible service.” All I want is a JumpJet membership.
ERIC SCHEIE on last night’s debate. “I was a little surprised at Hillary’s lackluster performance.”
MEN AND MARRIAGE: It’s a new Ask Dr. Helen column!
VLADIMIR PUTIN: Dictator Doolittle.
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