I find that I have been reading too many American blogs. Some others I found recently which seem interesting:
http://psom.blogspot.com/
http://www.cognition.ens.fr/%7Ealphapsy/blog/
http://timharford.com/
http://www.the-rathouse.com/
http://the-mouse-trap.blogspot.com/
and
http://richarddawkins.net/
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Another gender difference?
From http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/10/061009031253.htm
Drug May Help Women Stop Smoking
Adding the opiate blocker naltrexone to the combination of behavioral therapy and nicotine patches boosted smoking cessation rates for women by almost 50 percent when assessed after eight weeks of treatment, but made no difference for men, report researchers from the University of Chicago in the October 2006 issue of the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.
Naltrexone helped reduce the craving for cigarettes and lessened the discomforts of withdrawal for women in the study. It also reduced the weight gain often experienced by men and women in the first month after quitting.
"Women have historically had less success than men in giving up cigarettes," said study author Andrea King, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Chicago. "In this small study, naltrexone seems to have closed that gap."
See also:
http://health.yahoo.com/news/167458
which says that colamay be bad for women and
http://www.discover.com/issues/oct-06/rd/genetic-sex-differences/
about gender differences in the mice which suggests that different medicines may have to be developed foe men and women.
Drug May Help Women Stop Smoking
Adding the opiate blocker naltrexone to the combination of behavioral therapy and nicotine patches boosted smoking cessation rates for women by almost 50 percent when assessed after eight weeks of treatment, but made no difference for men, report researchers from the University of Chicago in the October 2006 issue of the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research.
Naltrexone helped reduce the craving for cigarettes and lessened the discomforts of withdrawal for women in the study. It also reduced the weight gain often experienced by men and women in the first month after quitting.
"Women have historically had less success than men in giving up cigarettes," said study author Andrea King, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Chicago. "In this small study, naltrexone seems to have closed that gap."
See also:
http://health.yahoo.com/news/167458
which says that colamay be bad for women and
http://www.discover.com/issues/oct-06/rd/genetic-sex-differences/
about gender differences in the mice which suggests that different medicines may have to be developed foe men and women.
Peter Norman
From http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/10/09/1160246071527.html?from=top5
"We knew that what we were going to do was far greater than any athletic feat. He said, 'I'll stand with you'." Carlos said he expected to see fear in Norman's eyes. He didn't. "I saw love. Peter never flinched (on the dais). He never turned his eyes, he never turned his head. He never said so much as 'ouch'. You guys have lost a great soldier." Carlos said that Norman deserved to be as well-known as Steve Irwin. "Go and tell your kids the story of Peter Norman," he said.
"We knew that what we were going to do was far greater than any athletic feat. He said, 'I'll stand with you'." Carlos said he expected to see fear in Norman's eyes. He didn't. "I saw love. Peter never flinched (on the dais). He never turned his eyes, he never turned his head. He never said so much as 'ouch'. You guys have lost a great soldier." Carlos said that Norman deserved to be as well-known as Steve Irwin. "Go and tell your kids the story of Peter Norman," he said.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Brad De Long returns to Landes
In '98, Brad De Long reviewd David S. Landes' "The Wealth and Poverty of Nations" followed by commments of various experts: http://www.j-bradford-delong.net/Econ_Articles/Reviews/landes.html#anchor2077092
He returns to the topic in his blog:
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2006/10/why_no_industri.html#comments
with comments by a new set of people. .
There are more interesting reviews with comments in
http://www.j-bradford-delong.net/Econ_Articles/Reviews/variousbookreviews.html
Pomeranz's book "The Great Divergence" which figures in both discussions is reviewed in:
http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/reviews/
He returns to the topic in his blog:
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2006/10/why_no_industri.html#comments
with comments by a new set of people. .
There are more interesting reviews with comments in
http://www.j-bradford-delong.net/Econ_Articles/Reviews/variousbookreviews.html
Pomeranz's book "The Great Divergence" which figures in both discussions is reviewed in:
http://www.cscs.umich.edu/~crshalizi/reviews/
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Fred Hallows work continues
From http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061004/hl_afp/afplifestylenepalaustraliahealth_061004141851
"A massive picture of Hollows dominates the corridor leading to the high-tech lens lab named after him that adjoins the clinic, and Ruit's affection for the New Zealand-born Australian remains firm.
"He was not only a mentor, he was a good friend. He was very straightforward and he loved people from developing countries," Ruit said.
Poverty-stricken Nepal is riven with profound caste, political, gender and ethnic divisions. But Ruit has never let it get in the way of his work.
"With all the political upheaval he has never turned a hair. For him the priority has always been the next person in line to be given back their sight," said Gabi Hollows, who continues to be involved in the Fred Hollows Foundation.
In June, Ruit was given the Ramon Magsaysay award, popularly known as the Asian Nobel prize."
More about Fred Hollows Foundation at:
http://www.hollows.org/content/FrontPage.aspx?s=3
"A massive picture of Hollows dominates the corridor leading to the high-tech lens lab named after him that adjoins the clinic, and Ruit's affection for the New Zealand-born Australian remains firm.
"He was not only a mentor, he was a good friend. He was very straightforward and he loved people from developing countries," Ruit said.
Poverty-stricken Nepal is riven with profound caste, political, gender and ethnic divisions. But Ruit has never let it get in the way of his work.
"With all the political upheaval he has never turned a hair. For him the priority has always been the next person in line to be given back their sight," said Gabi Hollows, who continues to be involved in the Fred Hollows Foundation.
In June, Ruit was given the Ramon Magsaysay award, popularly known as the Asian Nobel prize."
More about Fred Hollows Foundation at:
http://www.hollows.org/content/FrontPage.aspx?s=3
Clean sweep of Nobels in science
From http://www.physorg.com/news79203936.html
"But as long as the money wheel turns and the unique culture of excellence remains intact, there seems little evidence for suggesting America's superiority will end any time soon.
Many of the present wave of US Nobel laureates have Jewish names, for they are German Jews, or their descendants, who fled Nazi persecution. The safe bet is that the next waves will have Korean, Chinese or Russian names -- people who also came to America, and found no reason to go home."
"But as long as the money wheel turns and the unique culture of excellence remains intact, there seems little evidence for suggesting America's superiority will end any time soon.
Many of the present wave of US Nobel laureates have Jewish names, for they are German Jews, or their descendants, who fled Nazi persecution. The safe bet is that the next waves will have Korean, Chinese or Russian names -- people who also came to America, and found no reason to go home."
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Globalization, Development discussions
are taking place in several sites. There seems to be some disenchantment with 'shining' stories and rethinking about development without subscribing to particular ideologies. Some of these are:
http://www.opendemocracy.net/arts-Literature/ulysses5_3938.jsp
http://www.geocities.com/wgfs2004/Iowa_is_not_far_from_Telengana.pdf
These two papers give background on subsidies in different countries and discuss
the effects of globalization on farmers in different countries. Discussions at:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/foreign/peterfoster/sept06/capitalism.htm
http://curiousstall.blogspot.com/
http://www.theotherindia.org/rural/indias-farmers-bear-brunt-of-globalisation.html
http://www.passtheroti.com/?p=218#comment-1146
http://alternativeperspective.blogspot.com/
In addition Madhkar Shukla is discussing the changing attitudes about business and markets in:
http://inspired-pragmatism.blogspot.com/
Some quotes from the second paper above:
"Many of the crops grown by Indian farmers come to a market place where the prices for these crops are
undermined by the agro-businesses and the subsidies they enjoy in their home countries. Take the case of
King Cotton. Between 1999 and 2002, the US agro-business share of the world cotton market grew to 40%
from 25%. This was entirely because of the $12.9 billion subsidy paid by the US tax-payer to the cotton
industry. In the same period, India’s imports of cotton grew by almost 29%, while India’s production of
cotton has fallen. The US cotton crop, meanwhile, has grown to its largest amount since 1927. An
enormous impact is on West and Central Africa, where farmers would stand to gain at least $250 million
if the US stopped its subsidy. The loss to Indian farmers from US subsidies is calculated to be about $1.3
billion (in 2001). US cotton farmers would not remain competitive without the subsidy, and according to
the World Bank, less than a tenth of the farmers would remain in business."
From the first paper:
" 'Because you are, by a long way, the biggest seller of cotton on the planet - forty per cent of all exports. Your system is destroying the market!'
Mark Lange smiles without evincing the slightest impatience. He has heard this argument a thousand times and answered it a thousand times. But repeating and repeating again, smiling and smiling again are the two main jobs of the lobbyist. He quotes research. Serious research. Big professors. The best universities. 'You have good universities in France? This research comes to a clear conclusion: the world price doesn't depend on us. Let's be precise: we have a negligible influence, barely quantifiable.'
Later, in the charming motel we are staying in, French Quarters, a staging point much appreciated by clandestine lovers, I shall consult other figures. The subsidies artificially sustain unprofitable production. Without them, American farmers would stop planting cotton. With supply diminishing, prices would pick up: a rise of between five and seventeen per cent according to the experts. "
And so on. Similar stories about corn and sugar. This does not seem to be the 'invisible hand' where markets seemlessly adjust.
Erik Orsenna cocludes:
"In the field of agriculture, as elsewhere, multinational firms try to lay down the law. But here, more than elsewhere, families fight back. On this struggle depends what remains of humanity on our planet.
......
This leading role of time is something the lovers of the market wish to deny. Throughout the whole of history, national economies have been protected in their early years by customs barriers. This was the role of so-called 'infant industry' protectionism. They were left to face competition only when they had reached adulthood. That is to say, once they had acquired strength. This respite is forbidden to them today. Globalization, which obliterates space, wants also to kill time. Perhaps the increase in the price of energy, by making us pay properly for transport once again, will restore reality to space and resuscitate time."
http://www.opendemocracy.net/arts-Literature/ulysses5_3938.jsp
http://www.geocities.com/wgfs2004/Iowa_is_not_far_from_Telengana.pdf
These two papers give background on subsidies in different countries and discuss
the effects of globalization on farmers in different countries. Discussions at:
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/foreign/peterfoster/sept06/capitalism.htm
http://curiousstall.blogspot.com/
http://www.theotherindia.org/rural/indias-farmers-bear-brunt-of-globalisation.html
http://www.passtheroti.com/?p=218#comment-1146
http://alternativeperspective.blogspot.com/
In addition Madhkar Shukla is discussing the changing attitudes about business and markets in:
http://inspired-pragmatism.blogspot.com/
Some quotes from the second paper above:
"Many of the crops grown by Indian farmers come to a market place where the prices for these crops are
undermined by the agro-businesses and the subsidies they enjoy in their home countries. Take the case of
King Cotton. Between 1999 and 2002, the US agro-business share of the world cotton market grew to 40%
from 25%. This was entirely because of the $12.9 billion subsidy paid by the US tax-payer to the cotton
industry. In the same period, India’s imports of cotton grew by almost 29%, while India’s production of
cotton has fallen. The US cotton crop, meanwhile, has grown to its largest amount since 1927. An
enormous impact is on West and Central Africa, where farmers would stand to gain at least $250 million
if the US stopped its subsidy. The loss to Indian farmers from US subsidies is calculated to be about $1.3
billion (in 2001). US cotton farmers would not remain competitive without the subsidy, and according to
the World Bank, less than a tenth of the farmers would remain in business."
From the first paper:
" 'Because you are, by a long way, the biggest seller of cotton on the planet - forty per cent of all exports. Your system is destroying the market!'
Mark Lange smiles without evincing the slightest impatience. He has heard this argument a thousand times and answered it a thousand times. But repeating and repeating again, smiling and smiling again are the two main jobs of the lobbyist. He quotes research. Serious research. Big professors. The best universities. 'You have good universities in France? This research comes to a clear conclusion: the world price doesn't depend on us. Let's be precise: we have a negligible influence, barely quantifiable.'
Later, in the charming motel we are staying in, French Quarters, a staging point much appreciated by clandestine lovers, I shall consult other figures. The subsidies artificially sustain unprofitable production. Without them, American farmers would stop planting cotton. With supply diminishing, prices would pick up: a rise of between five and seventeen per cent according to the experts. "
And so on. Similar stories about corn and sugar. This does not seem to be the 'invisible hand' where markets seemlessly adjust.
Erik Orsenna cocludes:
"In the field of agriculture, as elsewhere, multinational firms try to lay down the law. But here, more than elsewhere, families fight back. On this struggle depends what remains of humanity on our planet.
......
This leading role of time is something the lovers of the market wish to deny. Throughout the whole of history, national economies have been protected in their early years by customs barriers. This was the role of so-called 'infant industry' protectionism. They were left to face competition only when they had reached adulthood. That is to say, once they had acquired strength. This respite is forbidden to them today. Globalization, which obliterates space, wants also to kill time. Perhaps the increase in the price of energy, by making us pay properly for transport once again, will restore reality to space and resuscitate time."
Secret of the Chinese
From http://www.opendemocracy.net/arts-Literature/ulysses5_3938.jsp
What, then, is the secret of these Chinese, the weapon that makes them so strong?
'I've thought about this a long time and I'll give you my answer. The Chinese have invented the ideal worker. In other words, the worker who costs even less than the absence of a worker.'
This Ulysses series article " Journey to the Lands of Cotton: A Brief Manual of Globalisation"
by Erik Orsenna is a an excellent read for people interested in globalization and farmers' problems.
What, then, is the secret of these Chinese, the weapon that makes them so strong?
'I've thought about this a long time and I'll give you my answer. The Chinese have invented the ideal worker. In other words, the worker who costs even less than the absence of a worker.'
This Ulysses series article " Journey to the Lands of Cotton: A Brief Manual of Globalisation"
by Erik Orsenna is a an excellent read for people interested in globalization and farmers' problems.
More from Brad DeLong and others
From
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2006/09/state_of_denial.html
“As depicted by Mr. Woodward, this is an administration in which virtually no one will speak truth to power, an administration in which the traditional policy-making process involving methodical analysis and debate is routinely subverted.”
Have we heard similar stories before about Indira Gandhi and others?
What were journalists doing?
From
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2006/09/why_oh_why_cant_26.html
“First, the most prominent people in the journalism world did more than peddle stuff about Bush's neo-Churchillian grandeur that they knew to be tripe, while they dined out in private on insider gossip about Bush's incompetence, malevolence, mendacity, and disconnection from reality. They also denounced and dismissed those who did say back then what Bob Woodward is saying now--people like Paul Krugman--as shrill.
Second, reporters continue to believe they are under some obligation to put Bush's thumb on the scales. Why... why... thirty minutes ago a correspondent sent me a link: over at Slate right now, John Dickerson—
…..
As a policy matter, the book undermines Bush's attempts to strengthen the national will for the long and drawn-out fight ahead...”
And so the US has a new bill:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/28/opinion/28thu1.html?
Any parallels?
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/30/opinion/30harris.html?
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2006/09/state_of_denial.html
“As depicted by Mr. Woodward, this is an administration in which virtually no one will speak truth to power, an administration in which the traditional policy-making process involving methodical analysis and debate is routinely subverted.”
Have we heard similar stories before about Indira Gandhi and others?
What were journalists doing?
From
http://delong.typepad.com/sdj/2006/09/why_oh_why_cant_26.html
“First, the most prominent people in the journalism world did more than peddle stuff about Bush's neo-Churchillian grandeur that they knew to be tripe, while they dined out in private on insider gossip about Bush's incompetence, malevolence, mendacity, and disconnection from reality. They also denounced and dismissed those who did say back then what Bob Woodward is saying now--people like Paul Krugman--as shrill.
Second, reporters continue to believe they are under some obligation to put Bush's thumb on the scales. Why... why... thirty minutes ago a correspondent sent me a link: over at Slate right now, John Dickerson—
…..
As a policy matter, the book undermines Bush's attempts to strengthen the national will for the long and drawn-out fight ahead...”
And so the US has a new bill:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/28/opinion/28thu1.html?
Any parallels?
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/30/opinion/30harris.html?
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Climate refugees
From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5344002.stm:
" Harsh conditions await those who are forced to move to the slums
"Climate refugees is a term we are going to hear much more of in the future," observes Saleem-ul Huq, a fellow at the London-based International Institute of Environment and Development (IIED).
He says many Bangladeshi families escaping floods and droughts have already slipped over the Indian border to swell the shanty towns of Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta.
"The problem is hidden at the moment but it will inevitably come to the fore as climate change forces more and more people out of their homes.
"There will be a high economic cost - and countries that have to bear that cost are likely to be demanding compensation from rich nations for a problem they have not themselves caused," Mr Huq predicts. "
" Harsh conditions await those who are forced to move to the slums
"Climate refugees is a term we are going to hear much more of in the future," observes Saleem-ul Huq, a fellow at the London-based International Institute of Environment and Development (IIED).
He says many Bangladeshi families escaping floods and droughts have already slipped over the Indian border to swell the shanty towns of Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta.
"The problem is hidden at the moment but it will inevitably come to the fore as climate change forces more and more people out of their homes.
"There will be a high economic cost - and countries that have to bear that cost are likely to be demanding compensation from rich nations for a problem they have not themselves caused," Mr Huq predicts. "
Microbes to solve drinking water problems?
From http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/microbes-can-solve-worlds-drinking-water-contamination-crisis/
"Australian scientists have discovered a comparatively cheaper and environment-friendly solution – microbes! Yes, microbes found in old waste sites in Australia. They can not only tolerate lethal soil and water cocktails created by waste petroleum and chlorine, but can also break them down to a non-toxic matter for humans, the scientist informed.
Megha Mallavarapu, from a government-backed environmental research centre based in South Australia state, told Reuters,
"We have isolated bacteria which can live on those waste compounds… Anywhere there has been a fuel dump, a munitions store, an old chemical factory or heavy manufacturing plant, there is potential for toxic substances to leak into groundwater underneath." "
http://www.ecofriend.org has several articles of this type ( the blog is run by Irani Sen). Search under 'Irani on bacteria' gave several artcles on the uses of bacteria including possibilties of cleaning nuclear waste:
http://www.ecofriend.org/search.php?q=Irani+on+bacteria&submit.x=1&submit.y=9&submit=Search
Irani has also various artcles on sources of bio-fuel;
http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/11-most-amazing-sources-of-bio-fuel-part-i/
"Australian scientists have discovered a comparatively cheaper and environment-friendly solution – microbes! Yes, microbes found in old waste sites in Australia. They can not only tolerate lethal soil and water cocktails created by waste petroleum and chlorine, but can also break them down to a non-toxic matter for humans, the scientist informed.
Megha Mallavarapu, from a government-backed environmental research centre based in South Australia state, told Reuters,
"We have isolated bacteria which can live on those waste compounds… Anywhere there has been a fuel dump, a munitions store, an old chemical factory or heavy manufacturing plant, there is potential for toxic substances to leak into groundwater underneath." "
http://www.ecofriend.org has several articles of this type ( the blog is run by Irani Sen). Search under 'Irani on bacteria' gave several artcles on the uses of bacteria including possibilties of cleaning nuclear waste:
http://www.ecofriend.org/search.php?q=Irani+on+bacteria&submit.x=1&submit.y=9&submit=Search
Irani has also various artcles on sources of bio-fuel;
http://www.ecofriend.org/entry/11-most-amazing-sources-of-bio-fuel-part-i/
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Discussion on capitalism
Marginal Revolution's latest post discusses capitalism:
http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2006/09/xxxxxxxxxxxx.html#comments
The best comment (in my opinion) so far is my one m :
"capitalism is an abstraction, albeit useful, that helps
modeling some aspects of human relationships. in pure
form it has never existed for extended periods of time
because of inherent problems (like externalities) that
plague it. studying its moral grounds is nonsense.
kinda like studying moral grounds of classical
thermodynamics."
http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2006/09/xxxxxxxxxxxx.html#comments
The best comment (in my opinion) so far is my one m :
"capitalism is an abstraction, albeit useful, that helps
modeling some aspects of human relationships. in pure
form it has never existed for extended periods of time
because of inherent problems (like externalities) that
plague it. studying its moral grounds is nonsense.
kinda like studying moral grounds of classical
thermodynamics."
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Immortal bacteria
From http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn10154-ageing-may-be-a-lifestyle-choice-for-bacteria.html
"Bacteria were long thought to enjoy a sort of immortality, because they simply divide symmetrically into identical "daughter" cells, neither of which is more likely to contain older components. This sets them apart from multi-cellular organisms, which contain non-reproductive cells that are doomed to age.
Then last year, microbiologists in France found that Escherichia coli bacteria divide asymmetrically, with one daughter cell receiving older components than the other. Over many generations, the “older” cells grow more slowly and eventually die (see Bacteria death reduces human hopes of immortality).
Long live immortality
Now, researchers led by Milind Watve at Abasaheb Garware College in Pune, India, have run a mathematical model that simulates the success of cells that develop either symmetrically or asymmetrically. This predicts that whether bacteria age or become immortal may depend on how well fed they are.
Under good growth conditions with lots of nutrients, asymmetric division is favoured because the “old” cells die off but the “young” ones grow faster. When nutrients are scarce, however, symmetric cell division gives better overall survival and growth across both daughters.
“Natural selection can favour symmetric division under certain conditions, so immortality is not dead,” says Watve. "
"Bacteria were long thought to enjoy a sort of immortality, because they simply divide symmetrically into identical "daughter" cells, neither of which is more likely to contain older components. This sets them apart from multi-cellular organisms, which contain non-reproductive cells that are doomed to age.
Then last year, microbiologists in France found that Escherichia coli bacteria divide asymmetrically, with one daughter cell receiving older components than the other. Over many generations, the “older” cells grow more slowly and eventually die (see Bacteria death reduces human hopes of immortality).
Long live immortality
Now, researchers led by Milind Watve at Abasaheb Garware College in Pune, India, have run a mathematical model that simulates the success of cells that develop either symmetrically or asymmetrically. This predicts that whether bacteria age or become immortal may depend on how well fed they are.
Under good growth conditions with lots of nutrients, asymmetric division is favoured because the “old” cells die off but the “young” ones grow faster. When nutrients are scarce, however, symmetric cell division gives better overall survival and growth across both daughters.
“Natural selection can favour symmetric division under certain conditions, so immortality is not dead,” says Watve. "
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Eight Americas
From http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/060912_ap_life_expectancy.html
" The study also highlights that the complicated tapestry of local and cultural customs may be more important than income in driving health disparities, said Richard Suzman of the National Institute on Aging, which co-funded the research.
“It's not just low income,'' Suzman said. “It's what people eat, it's how they behave, or simply what's available in supermarkets.''
Murray analyzed mortality data between 1982 and 2001 by county, race, gender and income. He found some distinct groupings that he named the “eight Americas:''
—Asian-Americans, average per capita income of $21,566, have a life expectancy of 84.9 years.
—Northland low-income rural whites, $17,758, 79 years.
—Middle America (mostly white), $24,640, 77.9 years.
—Low income whites in Appalachia, Mississippi Valley, $16,390, 75 years.
—Western American Indians, $10,029, 72.7 years.
—Black Middle America, $15,412, 72.9 years.
—Southern low-income rural blacks, $10,463, 71.2 years.
—High-risk urban blacks, $14,800, 71.1 years.
Longevity disparities were most pronounced in young and middle-aged adults. A 15-year-old urban black man was 3.8 times as likely to die before the age of 60 as an Asian-American, for example.
That's key, Murray said, because this age group is left out of many government health programs that focus largely on children and the elderly."
" The study also highlights that the complicated tapestry of local and cultural customs may be more important than income in driving health disparities, said Richard Suzman of the National Institute on Aging, which co-funded the research.
“It's not just low income,'' Suzman said. “It's what people eat, it's how they behave, or simply what's available in supermarkets.''
Murray analyzed mortality data between 1982 and 2001 by county, race, gender and income. He found some distinct groupings that he named the “eight Americas:''
—Asian-Americans, average per capita income of $21,566, have a life expectancy of 84.9 years.
—Northland low-income rural whites, $17,758, 79 years.
—Middle America (mostly white), $24,640, 77.9 years.
—Low income whites in Appalachia, Mississippi Valley, $16,390, 75 years.
—Western American Indians, $10,029, 72.7 years.
—Black Middle America, $15,412, 72.9 years.
—Southern low-income rural blacks, $10,463, 71.2 years.
—High-risk urban blacks, $14,800, 71.1 years.
Longevity disparities were most pronounced in young and middle-aged adults. A 15-year-old urban black man was 3.8 times as likely to die before the age of 60 as an Asian-American, for example.
That's key, Murray said, because this age group is left out of many government health programs that focus largely on children and the elderly."
Dawkins takes on religion
Richard Dawkins has a new site"Foundation for Reason and Science":
http://richarddawkins.net/ and a new book "The God Delusion".
See http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7939629 for a review of the book.
A comment from the review:
"If nothing else, his book should help bring the atheists out of the closet."
The site has links to articles by others; there are a couple of articles on the recent speech by the Pope:
http://richarddawkins.net/mainPage.php?bodyPage=article_body.php&id=171
http://richarddawkins.net/mainPage.php?bodyPage=article_body.php&id=172
http://richarddawkins.net/ and a new book "The God Delusion".
See http://www.economist.com/books/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7939629 for a review of the book.
A comment from the review:
"If nothing else, his book should help bring the atheists out of the closet."
The site has links to articles by others; there are a couple of articles on the recent speech by the Pope:
http://richarddawkins.net/mainPage.php?bodyPage=article_body.php&id=171
http://richarddawkins.net/mainPage.php?bodyPage=article_body.php&id=172
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Scavengers in India
Frontline (http://www.flonnet.com/ vol.23, number 18) and the otherindia group
http://www.theotherindia.org/caste/a-day-job-at-a-dry-latrine.html
are bringing the plight of scavengers to the attention of the public.
http://www.ambedkarscholarships.org/ has information about scholarships to students from scavenging families.
Please have a look at these.
I remembered Gandhi's 'infatuation' about cleaning toilerts and googled 'Gandhi on cleaning toilets' and found several articles which seem to substantiate Annie Zaidi's core assertions. Some links and excerpts below.
From http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/Library/LibraryItem.cfm?LibraryID=755
"Gandhi had deliberately not permitted toilets in private homes, so that everyone had to use the row of public toilets at one end of the ashram. Gandhi’s reasoning was that cleaning public toilets was the contentious issue on which the caste oppression was based. So, the best way of getting rid of the prejudices, equalizing society and teaching people a lesson in humility was to make them do the work they so despised.
Millions in India are labeled "untouchables" because of the work they are forced to do by the caste system. Only the low castes must do the lowly jobs like street cleaning, garbage pick-up and cleaning public toilets. Because the jobs are menial and considered "unclean" the pay is negligible, forcing the "low caste" to live in abject poverty and ignorance, the vicious cycle that condemns them forever.
Untouchability, and the seeming inability of Hindus and Muslims to get along, are the two major conflicts that divide the Indian community. Both these issues were given appropriate emphasis in the training schedule at the ashram.
Everyone, without exception, was required to participate in the cleaning of the toilets. Each person, like the "untouchables", had to carry buckets of nightsoil and urine to the fields, empty them in trenches, cover the trenches, wash the buckets clean and replace them for use. Sometimes this work had to be done twice a day, which meant having a second bath and this time washing your own clothes.
The first time I was assigned this duty at the age of 12 I found it revolting. But, when everyone, including grandfather, was doing it who could you complain to? I performed the chore obediently and found that with time the work became less revolting. It helped me, and the others, understand the value of work and become truly humble.
Shriman Narayan once confessed his extreme revulsion at having to do this work. He was born into a rich Brahmin family and had just returned from England with a doctorate from the London School of Economics. His family members, like millions of others, were ardent followers of Gandhi. He came to Sevagram Ashram to pay homage to Gandhi and seek guidance for future work. However, like everyone else, from the day he stepped into the ashram Shriman was assigned the duty to clean the toilets. Gandhi did not spare anyone. Shriman was not used to this type of work, or any work for that matter, since he came from a home where they had servants for each member of the family. However, not even he could refuse to do this work. The first day he did it with utmost reluctance.
Then he sought an excuse. "I hold a doctorate from the London School of Economics," he argued. "I am capable of doing great things. Why do you waste my time and talents on cleaning toilets?"
Gandhi replied: "I know of your capacity to do great things but I have yet to discover your capacity to do little things. So, if you wish to seek my guidance and blessings you will have to observe all the rules of the ashram." "
From http://www.goodnewsindia.com/index.php/Magazine/story/sulabh/
"A clean-up caste:
There have been some persuasive arguments to pin the origin of the scavenger class on Muslim conquerors of India: it started for the convenience of their ladies in purdah. There is some truth that they used captured warriors as porters of night-soil. There are clear references however, in ancient Naradiya Samhita and Vajasaneyi Samhita to designated slaves —Chandals & Paulkasas, for example— for cleaning up toilets. Those two castes are referred to in Buddhist times also. The Mughals may however have introduced the bucket-privy and created a new caste label called Mehtars. Finally, the catch-all, derisory name, Bhangi for these abused people emerged."
...
"And softly, he adds: "Gandhiji used to be furious about our treatment of scavengers. "In my next birth I want to born a Bhangi," he raged. I am working to make sure he need not be born again for this." There's a good chance Gandhi is less angry today."
From http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GL06Ad01.html
"Middle class Indians in cities, flushed with metro and mall-generated excitement, are wont to dismiss the caste system as a relic that no longer holds sway, at least in urban areas. Yet, the steady stream of jamadars who spend their days cleaning out the toilets of houses both modest and grand, a job that other domestic staff resolutely refuse to consider, is indicative of just how deeply rooted caste consciousness is. Gandhi himself identified toilet cleaning as key to revolutionizing society. He stressed repeatedly that in a society's approach to private and public sanitation lay its commitment to true freedom and dignity. But if Gandhi was correct in his beliefs, then it is authoritarian China, not democratic India that has in fact achieved self-respect for its citizens.
Yu Bao Ping started work as a public toilet cleaner and attendant in Beijing's Jiao Dao Kou neighborhood last September. Originally a rice farmer from Anhui province, the 38-year-old is ecstatic at having landed such a good job. He says that compared to the backbreaking labor of farming, cleaning toilets is a cinch. It gives him a stable income, and more importantly, a chance to broaden his horizons in the big city.
"I have made so many friends through the toilet," he says. In several older sections of Beijing, homes still lack private bathrooms and an entire lane uses the communal facilities. Yu works in one such community latrine. "Everyone in this neighbourhood comes through these doors," he says, "and I have met so many different kinds of people, including foreigners.
UPDATE:
1) http://paddlesweep.blogspot.com/ has this to say about Sulabh (second link above):
Sulabh International is a social service organization which works to promote human rights, environmental sanitation, health and hygiene, non-conventional sources of energy, waste management and social reforms through education, training and awareness campaigns. The organization has developed the Sulabh Shauchalaya-technology, which is technologically appropriate, socio-culturally acceptable and economically affordable.
2) Annie Zaidi mentioned that Gandhi’s opinions on the above issue were controversial and that he had differences with Ambedkar. From
http://india.indymedia.org/en/2003/02/3339.shtml
"Ambedkar told Gandhi in October 1932 "that I have no interest in the temples being thrown open, common dinners and the like, because we suffer thereby.... I only want that social and economic hardships should end". Ambedkar said, "It is a mistake to suppose that it (untouchability) is only a religious system.... It is also an economic system, which is worse than slavery.... History shows that where ethics and economics come in conflict, victory is always with economics”.
Mahatma Gandhi wanted the `untouchables' to continue as helots but better helots with improved knowledge of their work and greater devotion to their "sacred duty" -- more contented, cleaner, and free from weaknesses like drinking and meat-eating, for which he often upbraided them. He said, "I would, therefore, suggest to reformers that they should not persuade Bhangis and Chamars to leave their occupation but they should, on the contrary, give them proper knowledge about their work”. "Under Gandhism", said Ambedkar, "the untouchables are to be eternal scavengers”. "
This seems to be due to Gandhi’s adherence to some sort of profession related caste system for a long time. Gandhi’s opinions on several issues seem to have evolved and changed over time. After his often bitter discussions with Ambedkar, Gandhi seems to have finally changed his opinions on caste. Here are a couple of Gandhi quotes taken from “Castes of Mind” by Nicholas Dirks, Priceton Uni. Press , 2001 (page 234).
” When, years later, Gandhi defended himself against attacks by Ambedkar over his views of caste, he wrote that “Caste has nothing to with religion. It is a custom whose origin I do not know and do not need to know for the satisfaction of my spiritual hunger. But I do know that it is harmful both to spiritual and national growth.” At roughly the same time, he stated that “Caste has to go”"
These statements of Gandhi do not seem to be well known. The references that Dirks gave are: Gandhi, Collected works, vol. 63, p.153, vol. 62, p.121
http://www.theotherindia.org/caste/a-day-job-at-a-dry-latrine.html
are bringing the plight of scavengers to the attention of the public.
http://www.ambedkarscholarships.org/ has information about scholarships to students from scavenging families.
Please have a look at these.
I remembered Gandhi's 'infatuation' about cleaning toilerts and googled 'Gandhi on cleaning toilets' and found several articles which seem to substantiate Annie Zaidi's core assertions. Some links and excerpts below.
From http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/Library/LibraryItem.cfm?LibraryID=755
"Gandhi had deliberately not permitted toilets in private homes, so that everyone had to use the row of public toilets at one end of the ashram. Gandhi’s reasoning was that cleaning public toilets was the contentious issue on which the caste oppression was based. So, the best way of getting rid of the prejudices, equalizing society and teaching people a lesson in humility was to make them do the work they so despised.
Millions in India are labeled "untouchables" because of the work they are forced to do by the caste system. Only the low castes must do the lowly jobs like street cleaning, garbage pick-up and cleaning public toilets. Because the jobs are menial and considered "unclean" the pay is negligible, forcing the "low caste" to live in abject poverty and ignorance, the vicious cycle that condemns them forever.
Untouchability, and the seeming inability of Hindus and Muslims to get along, are the two major conflicts that divide the Indian community. Both these issues were given appropriate emphasis in the training schedule at the ashram.
Everyone, without exception, was required to participate in the cleaning of the toilets. Each person, like the "untouchables", had to carry buckets of nightsoil and urine to the fields, empty them in trenches, cover the trenches, wash the buckets clean and replace them for use. Sometimes this work had to be done twice a day, which meant having a second bath and this time washing your own clothes.
The first time I was assigned this duty at the age of 12 I found it revolting. But, when everyone, including grandfather, was doing it who could you complain to? I performed the chore obediently and found that with time the work became less revolting. It helped me, and the others, understand the value of work and become truly humble.
Shriman Narayan once confessed his extreme revulsion at having to do this work. He was born into a rich Brahmin family and had just returned from England with a doctorate from the London School of Economics. His family members, like millions of others, were ardent followers of Gandhi. He came to Sevagram Ashram to pay homage to Gandhi and seek guidance for future work. However, like everyone else, from the day he stepped into the ashram Shriman was assigned the duty to clean the toilets. Gandhi did not spare anyone. Shriman was not used to this type of work, or any work for that matter, since he came from a home where they had servants for each member of the family. However, not even he could refuse to do this work. The first day he did it with utmost reluctance.
Then he sought an excuse. "I hold a doctorate from the London School of Economics," he argued. "I am capable of doing great things. Why do you waste my time and talents on cleaning toilets?"
Gandhi replied: "I know of your capacity to do great things but I have yet to discover your capacity to do little things. So, if you wish to seek my guidance and blessings you will have to observe all the rules of the ashram." "
From http://www.goodnewsindia.com/index.php/Magazine/story/sulabh/
"A clean-up caste:
There have been some persuasive arguments to pin the origin of the scavenger class on Muslim conquerors of India: it started for the convenience of their ladies in purdah. There is some truth that they used captured warriors as porters of night-soil. There are clear references however, in ancient Naradiya Samhita and Vajasaneyi Samhita to designated slaves —Chandals & Paulkasas, for example— for cleaning up toilets. Those two castes are referred to in Buddhist times also. The Mughals may however have introduced the bucket-privy and created a new caste label called Mehtars. Finally, the catch-all, derisory name, Bhangi for these abused people emerged."
...
"And softly, he adds: "Gandhiji used to be furious about our treatment of scavengers. "In my next birth I want to born a Bhangi," he raged. I am working to make sure he need not be born again for this." There's a good chance Gandhi is less angry today."
From http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/GL06Ad01.html
"Middle class Indians in cities, flushed with metro and mall-generated excitement, are wont to dismiss the caste system as a relic that no longer holds sway, at least in urban areas. Yet, the steady stream of jamadars who spend their days cleaning out the toilets of houses both modest and grand, a job that other domestic staff resolutely refuse to consider, is indicative of just how deeply rooted caste consciousness is. Gandhi himself identified toilet cleaning as key to revolutionizing society. He stressed repeatedly that in a society's approach to private and public sanitation lay its commitment to true freedom and dignity. But if Gandhi was correct in his beliefs, then it is authoritarian China, not democratic India that has in fact achieved self-respect for its citizens.
Yu Bao Ping started work as a public toilet cleaner and attendant in Beijing's Jiao Dao Kou neighborhood last September. Originally a rice farmer from Anhui province, the 38-year-old is ecstatic at having landed such a good job. He says that compared to the backbreaking labor of farming, cleaning toilets is a cinch. It gives him a stable income, and more importantly, a chance to broaden his horizons in the big city.
"I have made so many friends through the toilet," he says. In several older sections of Beijing, homes still lack private bathrooms and an entire lane uses the communal facilities. Yu works in one such community latrine. "Everyone in this neighbourhood comes through these doors," he says, "and I have met so many different kinds of people, including foreigners.
UPDATE:
1) http://paddlesweep.blogspot.com/ has this to say about Sulabh (second link above):
Sulabh International is a social service organization which works to promote human rights, environmental sanitation, health and hygiene, non-conventional sources of energy, waste management and social reforms through education, training and awareness campaigns. The organization has developed the Sulabh Shauchalaya-technology, which is technologically appropriate, socio-culturally acceptable and economically affordable.
2) Annie Zaidi mentioned that Gandhi’s opinions on the above issue were controversial and that he had differences with Ambedkar. From
http://india.indymedia.org/en/2003/02/3339.shtml
"Ambedkar told Gandhi in October 1932 "that I have no interest in the temples being thrown open, common dinners and the like, because we suffer thereby.... I only want that social and economic hardships should end". Ambedkar said, "It is a mistake to suppose that it (untouchability) is only a religious system.... It is also an economic system, which is worse than slavery.... History shows that where ethics and economics come in conflict, victory is always with economics”.
Mahatma Gandhi wanted the `untouchables' to continue as helots but better helots with improved knowledge of their work and greater devotion to their "sacred duty" -- more contented, cleaner, and free from weaknesses like drinking and meat-eating, for which he often upbraided them. He said, "I would, therefore, suggest to reformers that they should not persuade Bhangis and Chamars to leave their occupation but they should, on the contrary, give them proper knowledge about their work”. "Under Gandhism", said Ambedkar, "the untouchables are to be eternal scavengers”. "
This seems to be due to Gandhi’s adherence to some sort of profession related caste system for a long time. Gandhi’s opinions on several issues seem to have evolved and changed over time. After his often bitter discussions with Ambedkar, Gandhi seems to have finally changed his opinions on caste. Here are a couple of Gandhi quotes taken from “Castes of Mind” by Nicholas Dirks, Priceton Uni. Press , 2001 (page 234).
” When, years later, Gandhi defended himself against attacks by Ambedkar over his views of caste, he wrote that “Caste has nothing to with religion. It is a custom whose origin I do not know and do not need to know for the satisfaction of my spiritual hunger. But I do know that it is harmful both to spiritual and national growth.” At roughly the same time, he stated that “Caste has to go”"
These statements of Gandhi do not seem to be well known. The references that Dirks gave are: Gandhi, Collected works, vol. 63, p.153, vol. 62, p.121
Free Wiki Textbooks Project
Pl. check http://scienceblogs.com/purepedantry/2006/09/university_of_georgia_starts_p.php
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
A mathematician funds math. education
James Simons pledges anoth 25 million dollars to Math for America. See
http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/09/putting_his_money_where_his_ma.php
Excerpts:
"Math for America addresses a simple, but profound problem: Nearly 40 percent of all public high school math teachers do not have a degree in math or a related field. Even the best curriculum in the world, the reasoning goes, isn't going to inspire students if unqualified individuals are teaching them. (In a recent round of testing, the U.S. placed 24th out of 29 nations in math proficiency.) If knowledgeable teachers exude passion for the subject, they stand a greater chance of pushing students toward careers in math in science that are the technical backbone of the country's economy."
"Simons' idea for persuading more graduates to become educators is a no-brainer: Pay them more."
"Together, Simons and his colleagues devised a plan to pay for each of the program's participants (known as "fellows") to receive a master's degree in education and also provide them with stipends of $90,000 each, on top of their salaries, spread over their first five years in the program."
MfA Executive Director Irwin Kra, Simon's long-time friend and colleague in the mathematics department at SUNY-Stony Brook says:
"This is a problem that doesn't just affect education, but also the economy, our security, and, because I am an old Jeffersonian, I believe it affects our democracy,"..."People should know basic concepts in math and science in order to make informed decisions about the issues."
http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/09/putting_his_money_where_his_ma.php
Excerpts:
"Math for America addresses a simple, but profound problem: Nearly 40 percent of all public high school math teachers do not have a degree in math or a related field. Even the best curriculum in the world, the reasoning goes, isn't going to inspire students if unqualified individuals are teaching them. (In a recent round of testing, the U.S. placed 24th out of 29 nations in math proficiency.) If knowledgeable teachers exude passion for the subject, they stand a greater chance of pushing students toward careers in math in science that are the technical backbone of the country's economy."
"Simons' idea for persuading more graduates to become educators is a no-brainer: Pay them more."
"Together, Simons and his colleagues devised a plan to pay for each of the program's participants (known as "fellows") to receive a master's degree in education and also provide them with stipends of $90,000 each, on top of their salaries, spread over their first five years in the program."
MfA Executive Director Irwin Kra, Simon's long-time friend and colleague in the mathematics department at SUNY-Stony Brook says:
"This is a problem that doesn't just affect education, but also the economy, our security, and, because I am an old Jeffersonian, I believe it affects our democracy,"..."People should know basic concepts in math and science in order to make informed decisions about the issues."
A mathematician goes public
S.T.Yau goes public http://www.doctoryau.com/ and asks The New yorker to apologize. More details in
http://asymptotia.com/2006/09/18/yau-fights-back/
and the post 'Some Links' of http://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/wordpress/
I hope that a similar discussion will take place on Tarski problems on free groups; if those results are correct I can probably use some of them.
http://asymptotia.com/2006/09/18/yau-fights-back/
and the post 'Some Links' of http://www.math.columbia.edu/~woit/wordpress/
I hope that a similar discussion will take place on Tarski problems on free groups; if those results are correct I can probably use some of them.
Farmers' problems
http://paddlesweep.blogspot.com/ has continuous updates on farmers' problems in India. There is a quick overview in New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/19/world/asia/19india.html?
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