blips on the radar

Bill Murray on the set of, “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:51:13 -0500

Bill Murray on the set of, “The Fantastic Mr. Fox”

"The Dilbert Principle observes that in the modern economy, the least capable people are promoted to..."

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:08:58 -0500

“The Dilbert Principle observes that in the modern economy, the least capable people are promoted to management because companies need their smartest people to do the useful work. It’s hard to design software, but relatively easy to run staff meetings. This creates a situation where you have more geniuses reporting to morons than at any time in history. In that sort of environment you’d expect the geniuses to be looking for a way out, even if Plan B has a low chance of success.”

- Scott Adams

"The awkward truth about capitalism is the machine does not function unless someone is borrowing..."

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:14:10 -0500

“

The awkward truth about capitalism is the machine does not function unless someone is borrowing money and spending it. The genius of the capitalist system is that it recycles surplus wealth—savings and profits from past economic activity—by lending the wealth for new production and consumption. When nobody in the private economy can borrow and nobody will lend—neither households nor business and finance—government has to step up to the task. In a crisis like this, if the federal government declines to get things moving again by borrowing and spending, as heavily as necessary, then the economy will stumble along far below its potential (that is, higher unemployment, weaker production, more failures). If Obama decides to curtail the deficits now, he is disarming unilaterally.

In history, even FDR wanted to have it both ways, but New Dealers learned from painful error they could not serve both masters. In 1936, they decided the recovery was complete so they reduced federal spending and raised interest rates. The depression was resumed with new viciousness. Obama and advisers now seem to think they are out of the ditch and can safely tilt toward fiscal responsibility.

The truth is, nobody knows what comes next. Just as plausibly, the trouble is not over but may even get worse. Instead of cresting, unemployment could rise further for another year or more, spreading the suffering and loss more widely. If the “recovery” proves to be an illusion, then another stock market break might follow. Uncertainty is still in the saddle.

”

- William Greider (via azspot)

Q&A with Wes Anderson & the stars of "Fantastic Mr. Fox"

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:44:30 -0500

Q&A with Wes Anderson & the stars of "Fantastic Mr. Fox"

azspot: bartcop.com

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:42:55 -0500

azspot:

bartcop.com

(via paulscheer) It’s no surprise that the nuttiest...

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:29:57 -0500

(via paulscheer)

It’s no surprise that the nuttiest guy in this is a Steelers fan.

But still, c’mon Ohio.

soupsoup: chrisdwoo: MTV Through the ages.

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:56:33 -0500

soupsoup:

chrisdwoo:

MTV Through the ages.

"Why does this demographics shift matter? Here is an example of why: When it became clear that the..."

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:53:34 -0500

“Why does this demographics shift matter? Here is an example of why: When it became clear that the healthcare reform package might include a 5% tax on multimillionaires, conservative boomers went mad and 18 to 30-year olds yawned. They don’t have sympathy invested into the plight of millionaires. Unlike their parents, they never bought into the “trickle down” myth. That was where taxpayers were supposed to give more money to millionaires in hopes that some of that money would trickle down to the pockets of the average American. The “O” Generation regards Republican-driven teabag, anti-tax, anti-government; anti-most everything as an oddity that provides cheap laugh material for Jon Stewart’s comedy central programming. The disconnect between aging rabble-rousers and young voters wanting change is extraordinary. We laughed at Johnny Carson and Topo Gigio skits on Ed Sullivan. They laugh at politically-themed skits on S.N.L. and Bill Maher. We were a generation that believed it was okay for Henry Kravis to make $54,000 an hour while 47 million people live below the poverty line on less than $12,000 a year. The “O” voters are repulsed by such a reality.”

- Mike Papantonio (via azspot)

For the record, I don’t think Bill Maher is that funny. But Jon Stewart certainly is.

soupsoup: rafer:(via scottfriday)

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:50:15 -0500

soupsoup:

rafer:(via scottfriday)

"Communist China is our largest creditor. Capitalism’s weird."

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:09:39 -0500

“Communist China is our largest creditor. Capitalism’s weird.”

- Jon Stewart

azspot: Trade as One - Just One

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:54:54 -0500

azspot:

Trade as One - Just One

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect."

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:45:45 -0500

“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.”

- Mark Twain (via soupsoup)

'Hello, Ohio!' (Psst! Boss, we're in Michigan)

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:14:17 -0500

'Hello, Ohio!' (Psst! Boss, we're in Michigan):

Bruce Springsteen bellowed “Hello, Ohio!” to his fans at the Auburn Hills Palace. That’s in Michigan.

—-

I like to think he just couldn’t get us off his brain.

soupsoup: rafer:moderndorkology: Good Magazine - Rock (and U.S....

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:25:33 -0500

soupsoup:

rafer:moderndorkology:

Good Magazine - Rock (and U.S. Oil Production) Is Dead

Why Christianity Is Failing In America

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:24:11 -0500

Why Christianity Is Failing In America:

azspot

If you and I truly stepped out in faith to live the Gospel we say we believe, it may well be that we would have to drop out of the corporate treadmill, suffer a freefall in the company hierarchy, watch our income plummet, and suffer the American indignity of no longer being able to keep up with the Joneses. It may mean we cannot get our children into the fancy private school, the top division sports team, and subsequently fail to send them to Harvard to mint their perfect future. It may mean that we reject consumerism and globalism, returning to a local economy that celebrates community and works to see that no one suffers at the expense of the richer among us, no matter how difficult it will be and what it will cost us. It may mean that we have to let go of long-time friends who suddenly hate our “class descent” and no longer want to be around us. It may mean that we live among the rejected people of the world (as we have become rejected ourselves). It may mean that we rediscover what the Lord meant by “give us this day our daily bread.” It may mean thousands of profound changes to the way we think and live that put us out of the mainstream and make life more challenging, though in the end we realize the challenge is where Christ Himself dwells.

thisistheglamorous: Repair or Replace It? The best chart I’ve...

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:05:48 -0500

thisistheglamorous:

Repair or Replace It?

The best chart I’ve seen in awhile.

This might have just made a very important decision for me on my...

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:16:00 -0500

This might have just made a very important decision for me on my next phone purchase.

"God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them."

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:54:00 -0500

“God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.”

- St. Augustine of Hippo

The Daily Show - Sean Hannity Uses Glenn Beck’s Protest...

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:19:08 -0500

The Daily Show - Sean Hannity Uses Glenn Beck’s Protest Footage

“Date Night” Trailer I wonder if this studio’s...

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:50:34 -0500

“Date Night” Trailer

I wonder if this studio’s screening data told them that fans of Steve Carrell & Tina Fey would respond well to a having a Nickleback song playing during a trailer of their new movie. Because I would tend to think the opposite.