Last Minute Voting Guide

"Remember, remember, the 5th of November, the blog post of treason and links." I've put a lot less energy into blogging lately, but I did give some thought about tomorrow's election and if I had anything new to say. It's turns out I don't. So here's a quick summary what I have said over the last 4 years:

1) It's okay NOT to vote. In fact, with the general lack of useful knowledge on the issues, it may be best not to.
2) It's okay TO vote, but be honest with yourself, statistically your vote doesn't matter. It's because it makes you feel good to get out and do something to support your team.
3) The BEST reason to vote is to push the political discussion in your preferred direction. It's not about the winning vote, it's about the marginal vote towards a bigger idea.
4) Your political perspectives are always SHIFTING. Who knows, in 4 years I may be voting for someone who actually wins.

I won $20 from dad in the last election betting on Obama. It looks like I'll win another $20 on him in this election from my brother. God bless America.

Emptying the Bottle: Early April '12 Links

Here is the best of what I've shared on Twitter recently:

• Don't text and live via The Onion [video].
• Great Wall, cracking knuckles, and other common misconceptions [video].
• Too big to fail badly, a living will for big banks.
• Justin, my blogfather, has quit blogging.
• From Penelope Trunk: Divorce is immature and selfish. Don't do it.
• You are impossibly small (and impossibly large) [graphic].
• Nerd March Madness: Democrats vs. Dictators.
• The story of Morse code and why technology matters [audio].
• It's not about Tiger moms, it's about moms.
• You're in relationship trouble when you see no trouble [chart].
• Alchemy Comedy interview on Your Carolina [video].
• The problem with feminism from the daughter of a leader.

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Late January '12 Links

Here is the best of what I've shared on Twitter recently:

• How to properly reheat a pizza [video].
• The important non-policy requirements for the president.
• Thoughts from someone with a lot of thoughts.
• Pascal's Wager: Why you should believe in God.
• I just created @TraciBrookie to update it with cute things she says.
• A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing [audio].
• Waterworld-urine-drinking is here!
• Maybe we don't become more conservative as we age (earlier).
• Rube Goldberg machine with a purpose, kind of [video].
• Maybe the best story I've heard about 9/11 (via Justin).

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Early January '12 Links

Here is the best of what I've shared on Twitter recently:

• Will our grandchildren be totally weirded out that shots used to hurt [audio]?
• What Washington crossing the Delaware really looked like.
• My career has a purpose! School raises IQ!
• Do you park to get there or park yo leave?
• The greatest creation of global capitalism or I, cheeseburger.
• The human transformer [video].
• How the weather affects us.
• 20GB in 30 years via Justin Scott.
• Role of charisma in politics [video] via Justin Wehr.
• There really are devices that can increase penis size.
• Sad thought, cognitive decline starts at 45 (earlier).
• Soap opera's freedom, gay candidate, justified Japanese internment and more!

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Late December '11 Links

Here is the best of what I've shared on Twitter recently:

• Tyler Cowen on Freakonomics on why American food is "so bad".
• 99designs.com, an awesome way to get design work done.
• There are no mistakes in the bandstand (and in improv) [video].
• Creativity related to rule breaking [audio].
• Roman Empire more equal than modern day United States.
• Not surprisingly, don't give cash for Christmas. Exception?
• Why are chili peppers spicy? To protect against fungus [audio].
• Long, but good old (1928) essay on the implications on animal sizes.
• College football victories = worse grades [video].
• How Martin Luther went viral using the printing press.
• How to fool people into thinking you like their gift.
• Scrooge was related to Adam Smith.
• Ron Paul literally puts his money where his mouth is [video].
• How retailers trick you into buying more [video].

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Early December '11 Links

Here is the best of what I've shared on Twitter recently:

• People with sweet tooths may be sweeter and night owls are smarter.
• The world's underground economy is $10 trillion.
• "Renewable energy" doesn't exist (earlier).
• In college, follow your dreams, but be sure the dream can pay the bill.
• Education is more important than economic growth in creating democracy.
• In the future (present?), neuroscience will blur the guilty and not guilty.
• Six ideas Tyler Cowen wants to see die.
• In the world of Facebook, a friend of your friend knows a friend of their friend.
• Triumph the Insult Comic at Occupy Wall Street [video] via Justin.
• Don't tell my students, chewing gum helps you learn (earlier).
• Why we always root for the underdog.
• Liberalism increases the chance people will feel good AND Conservatism makes people less likely to feel bad (earlier).

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Late-November '11 Links

Here is the best of what I've shared on Twitter recently:

• NPR's Frank Deford on the state of college sports [audio] (earlier).
• Video games give you more creativity, faster reaction time, and less nightmares.
• Best critique of the Occupy movement: it's more violent than the Tea Partiers.
• If the Eurozone crumbles it could not only mean financial destruction, but also war.
• From The Onion: Man Sails Around World To Decrease Awareness Of Important Issues.
• Revenge doesn't make you feel better, it makes you feel worse.
• Unexpected legal implications of zygotes as people.
• Why improv groups should always shake hands and high five after shows.
• What is quirky (good) about the United States?
• Is the McRib only sold when pork prices are low?
• Difference between British and American humor from Ricky Gervais.
• Great background of the Keynes Vs. Hayek debate (earlier).

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Mid-November '11 Links

Google recently canceled their sharing format, so I've switched to posting them on Twitter. So as usual, here is a list of the worthwhile links I've found recently:

• There's a billion-bug highway above you that you can't see [video] (earlier).
• Story of how modern day science can protect us emotionally [audio].
• Tear jerking marriage interview to inspire us all [audio].
• Why sandwiches taste better when someone else makes them.
• Blackberry outages cut Abu Dhabi traffic accidents by 40%.
• I am the 59%. Find out your number (earlier).
• Freakonomics on football momentum and icing the kicker [videos].
• Famous boos throughout history.
• Follow The Fake PewResearch Center on Twitter.
• A "Life Isn't Fair" Hallmark greeting card [photo].
• Siri meets Furby [video].

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Mid-October '11 Links

Here is a list of the worthwhile links I've Bookmarked recently:

• Justin makes a creepy face mash-up with his sister.
• "Drive Recklessly" commercial [video].
•  The Onion depressing/funny on Civil Rights legislation [video].
• Atheism, libertarianism, and the difference between skepticism and cynicism [video].
• Clemson is in the top 10 for fan size [graphic].
• Maybe the saddest news I've heard about the Great Recession.
• From me: Difference Between an Expert and a Novice.
• Amish mob violence or a ride-by-shaving.
• Online game for people with OCD?
• Online dating that simultaneously intrigues me economically and sickens me relationally.
• You can scroll through Google Reader with the space bar!

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Early-September '11 Links

Here is a list of the worthwhile links I've Bookmarked recently:

• Cuter animals get better protection as endangered species.
• Debt and a job you hate is the modern indentured servitude [graphic].
• The future of typing on a touch screen [video].
• Stealing images online is like stealing music online.
• North Korea is a nationwide cult [video].
• Men's first physical impression of women is too optimistic.
• In photos it should be girls chin down and guys chin up.
• What if you couldn't get an organ unless you're on the donor list?
• War has always been worse than we expect [audio].
• An argument for sitting (like a test) and learning.
• Recent pattern of American political parties.

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Late-August '11 Links

Here is a list of the worthwhile links I've Bookmarked recently:

• Exchangeable credits for skipping class to prevent skipping class.
• The misunderstood history of negative campaign ads [video].
• Turning good workers into criminals and criminals into bad workers.
• Ability to change your mind = Ability to Reason [graphic].
• Less than 3 percent of spending in the U.S. goes to China.
• How a secret roll of the dice can account for lying in large samples.
• Wishing someone luck (if they believe in it) can improve performance.
• Explainxkcd.com, explaining nerd humor to the rest us (via Justin).
• When it comes to group work, be sure to put someone in charge.
• Are youth the most discriminated people in America today [video]?
• Spoiling the ending makes for a better story [audio].
• The richer you are the busier you are (earlier).

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Early-August '11 Links

Here is a list of the worthwhile sites I've Bookmarked recently:

• The world's most dangerous zoo [photos].
• Movie plots that technology killed (ex: Trip Adviser vs. Psycho).
• What North Korea's "economy" looks like [audio].
• The story of the first skyscraper [audio].
• The greatest Superman comic strip ever made (earlier).
• "Bad people" get raped too.
• Why some businesses are family businesses [audio].
• Carrots and sticks as incentives can do more harm than good [video].
• No need to drink Gatorade, just gargle it.
• Patents prevent innovation (solution at minute 18 in this lecture) [audio].

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Late-June '11 Links

Here is a list of the worthwhile sites I've Bookmarked recently:

• It's time to stop worrying about invasive species [audio].
• Helping the homeless makes sense even if they aren't "more needy" (earlier).
• There is no such thing as a blue state or a red state.
• The use of SWAT teams by police, especially in non-violent offences.
• Why recorded, non-live, sports is so boring to watch (earlier).
• "Sleep on it" is good advice.
• Yet another reason to wash your hands after using the bathroom.
• The social economics of preschool [audio].
• The Freakonomics boys on Father's Day [audio].

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Mid-June '11 Links

Here is a list of the worthwhile sites I've Bookmarked recently:

• Digital factories behind real prison bars (earlier).
• The Post Office is going bankrupt and here's a great solution.
• Judges are more likely to grant parole after lunch.
• Many reasons why I can't wait for driverless cars (earlier).
• Try and spot the fake smile [videos].
• Economics of Fashion Property rights [video] (hat tip to Justin Scott).
• Why you shouldn't talk about movies on the first date (and maybe ever).
• Justin Wehr on why trying to impress others isn't so bad (part II).
• Really good put downs shouldn't feel really good [chart].
• A funny reimagining of what happened to George Lucas.
• The best advice is advice not seen as advice [video] (earlier).
• Why the South still celebrates the Civil War.

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Late-May '11 Links

Here is a list of the worthwhile sites I've Bookmarked recently:

• Republican professors are more comfortable with grade inequality (earlier).
• Being in charge makes us less empathetic (earlier).
• Honesty is bravery [graphic].
• The costs and benefits of logic [graphic].
• The point of owning of pet (by my request).
• Sorting email into folders doesn't help.
• Eating breakfast can help you lose weight (earlier).
• Exercise, multi-tasking, sleep, stress' affect on the brain.
• Boys who lack empathy don't react to a fearful face (earlier).
• Cable network news tickers decrease comprehension.
• Let the dead pay for Medicare.

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Mid-May '11 Links

Here is a list of the worthwhile sites I've Bookmarked recently:

• Why Bollywood (bottom up change) is better for fighting radical Islam [video].
• Justin Scott's thoughts on bin Laden with which I totally agree (earlier).
• Why MySpace eventually lost most of its traffic to Facebook.
• How politicians get around answering uncomfortable questions.
• NY Hasidic newspaper cuts Hillary Clinton from the situation room photo.
• Winning the lottery hurts (especially if you're the type who plays the lottery).
• Interview with the simple billion (here's his house) Warren Buffett's son [audio].
• Is depression just over self reflection and if so what are the benefits?
• Voting is correlated with satisfaction, not unsatisfaction (earlier).
• Early start times for schools can increase car accidents for students (eariler).
• What you see is what you hear, even when you know it's wrong [video].
• Wisdom of the crowd only works if the crowd don't interact.

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Early-May '11 Links

Here is a list of the worthwhile sites I've Bookmarked recently:

• The government asked for information illegally, but make it illegal to report them.
• A marital Should-You-Bring-It-Up-O-Meter [graphic].
• Why we left the gold standard in the first place [audio] (earlier).
• The top reasons for Facebook un-friending?
• U.S. home prices, sung as an opera [audio].
• Why students who sit at the front of the class do better.
• Why poor people buy TV's and why others' choices seem irrational.
• President Theodore Roosevelt on limiting "degenerates to reproduce their kind".
• The way you shape your face affects how you respond and makes you more creative.
• President Obama and Seth Meyers burn Donald Trump [videos].

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Late-April '11 Links

Here is a list of the worthwhile sites I've Bookmarked recently:

• Doing improv for more than just the laughs.
• Drug prohibition increases the homicide rate (earlier).
• Playing music only helps you learn if it's music you like (earlier).
• The BEST thing I've read on future budget and election issues.
• Half of all U.S. health care is already paid for by the government (earlier).
• Cooking today compared to the hassle from past generations (earlier).
• The one time America paid off it's debt (earlier) [audio].
• Even knowing our irrationalities (earlier), it's hard to nudge us successfully (earlier).
• Harsher prison conditions lead to more post-release crime (earlier).
• Tornados were mostly an American phenomenon [map].
• Our empathy affects our expectations for empathy, changing our interaction (earlier).
• You need 8 hours of sleep and worse, you aren't aware of it's terrible effects (earlier).

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Mid-April '11 Links

Here is a list of the worthwhile sites I've Bookmarked recently:

• How trademark law is being abused to the detriment of consumers.
• One way to understand other cultures is to eat at McDonalds [video].
• The first female congressman was the only to vote against WWI and WWII.
• When your favorite TV show gets canceled, it feels like a break-up (earlier).
• Past, present, and future of Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac [audio].
• Romanticism is not predictive relationship length (earlier).
• NPR's Planet Money on federal funding of NPR.
• Respect from the audience comes from a respect for the audience [graph].
• The best songs are ones you can "gently tap your thigh, and go crazy".
• Interesting discussion of the science and politics of addiction [audio].
• Upside to war is that female, black, young, and gay Americans are helped.
• A thought on why American politicians lie (hint: they're all the same).
• Coupons are used to price discriminate (long version) [audio].
• Workplace fatalities were decreasing before progressivism [chart].

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.

Emptying the Bottle: Early-April '11 Links

Here is a list of the worthwhile sites I've Bookmarked recently:

• If economists had a political party I might not join it (earlier).
• Want to improve your mood? Don't vent, be happy.
• How the washing machine helps us learn [video] (earlier).
• There is an I in Team [graphic].
• Awesome logos with secret messages (via Jeff).
• Exercise will make you eat more.
• Even suicide terrorists are price sensitive.
• Fake tweets by robot fool hundreds of followers (earlier).
• Why German history kept is out of Libya.
• The future of phones doesn't have phones (video).
• European national bankruptcy is fairly common.
• Humanity would organize themselves into haves and have nots.

As always, feel free to email me anything interesting you come across.