The .Plan

An argument for greater statistical literacy:

Evangelical leaders and organizations routinely use descriptive statistics in sloppy, unwarranted, misrepresenting, and sometimes absolutely preposterous ways, usually to get attention and sound alarms, at least some of which are false alarms. The widespread influence of much-cited evangelical pollsters, who do not actually come entirely clean on their methods, does not help matters either. It seems that one of two situations pertains. Either statistically reckless evangelicals are somewhat aware that they are playing fast and loose with numbers. Or they are not, they simply do not know better. Either is unacceptable.
–Christian Smith, “Evangelicals Behaving Badly with Statistics”, Books and Culture, Jan/Feb 2007

Others, however, decry the essence of Costco. Teri Franklin, a mother of two in Seattle, said that Costco fed American consumerism and waste. “Instead of a single board game, you’re offered seven shrink-wrapped together,” she said. “You’ll probably end up playing with a couple and the rest will sit in the closet. But you really only wanted one.” She said she was not tempted to buy anything beyond bottled water and diapers at Costco.
–Julie Bick, “24 Rolls of Toilet Paper, a Tub of Salsa and a Plasma TV”, New York Times, January 28, 2007

Of course, tap water is not so abundant in the developing world. And that is ultimately why I find the illogical enthusiasm for bottled water not simply peculiar, but distasteful. For those of us in the developed world, safe water is now so abundant that we can afford to shun the tap water under our noses, and drink bottled water instead: our choice of water has become a lifestyle option.
–Tom Standage, “Bad to the Last Drop”, New York Times, August 1, 2005

How much would people sacrifice to spend an extra hour a day with family or loved ones? A quarter would only give up 5 percent of their salary; 15 percent would sacrifice 10 percent of their income; 4 percent would give up 20 percent of pay; and 5 percent would tolerate a cut of more than 20 percent.

[Tim Kasser, a psychology professor at Knox College in Illinois] has conducted a variety of studies that found people who are “time affluent” are happier than those who are materially affluent. “Time-affluent people had more time to spend engaged in activities focused on personal growth, friends, and family and contributing to community” — all essential factors in happiness, he explains.
–Laura Rowley, “Making the Most of the Money You Have”, Yahoo! Finance, January 19, 2007

“Why is ‘Prison Break’ so popular in China?” asked Niu Zhaoqiang, a 20-something English translator in the port city of Qingdao. “Perhaps it’s because Chinese television screens are flooded with stupid and crudely made domestic and South Korean shows.”
–Evan Osnos, “‘Prison Break’ Catches on in China”, Chicago Tribune, January 25, 2007

3:00AM. Bedside of somnolent patient. Intern and senior resident in side conversation about the patient’s poor kidney function, whether her kidneys could tolerate a load of contrast dye for a computed tomography scan, and the costs and benefits of obtaining said data. Somnolent patient looks up.

“What’s ‘punk-ass dye‘?”

When on call, you have to take the chipper moments as they come.

Steinberg is among a growing number of diabetics — including celebrity endorsers, magazine publishers and an investment advisor — who are finding business opportunities in marketing to others with the chronic disease.

“From a business perspective, diabetes is the perfect disease,” said David Kliff, a diabetic and investment analyst who specializes in diabetes-related ventures. Diabetics “consume tons of disposable products, and there is no cure. It is a license to print money.”
–Daniel Yi, “Diabetics: One Sweet Market”, Los Angeles Times, January 21, 2007

The new Olympic Sculpture Park just opened to the public.

Click through for the rest of the photos.

Maybe on my next day off…

The soft chirp of eagles, a surprise in such a big bird, was answered by the rippling gronk of a raven. The Skagit sluiced green and fresh around the gravel bar studded with eagles shredding spawned-out salmon.
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Even blindfolded it would be superb to stand here, amid the sounds of the eagles, the river and the ravens conversing. Add the slow slice of wing beats and flashing heads and tails of so many eagles — a dozen just in one view through the binoculars — and it’s hard to imagine a place of greater enjoyment a mere two hours’ drive from downtown Seattle.
–Lynda Mapes, “Eagles are landing in record numbers”, Seattle Times, January 16, 2007

This is definitely where I will be in five months:

Every town chooses something to be proud of, and in Ojai, California, it’s the sunsets. Pride is an understatement; sunsets are such a ceremony that locals have a name — “The Pink Moment” — to describe when the tips of the Topa Topa mountains take on the shade of cotton candy. There’s even a preferred perch from which to watch: Meditation Mount, a new age center devoted to the power of meditation, on the eastern side of town.
–Nina Wildorf, “Blissing out in Ojai”, CNN Budget Travel, January 12, 2007

Lord, hasten the day.

They can take my freedom, but they can’t stop the clock.