Hey US-type Americans, I have a question: Who were you fighting in 1776? The British? The English? Who? It’s Not Your Fault You’re Confused I’ve spend a LOT of this year reading newly-published books and articles, and listening to podcasts and talks around the topic of the American Revolution/War of Independence. As an immigrant to… Continue reading Who Did Americans Fight In The War of Independence?
Category: Rant
You Don’t Want An Aristocracy
I’ve been thinking about meritocracy, lately. It’s extremely hard to separate out the inbuilt advantages of the financially and genetically lucky, in any society, and give everyone a level playing field. But we should at least admit that some people start half-way to the finish line, if we think a meritocracy is worth striving for.… Continue reading You Don’t Want An Aristocracy
Amazon and the agency model
I got an email today telling me that several publishers are going to be sending me money to make up for screwing over me (their end customer), to try to stop Amazon’s Kindle editions from eating into their hardback prices. They did this by refusing to allow Amazon to sell the ebooks unless they did… Continue reading Amazon and the agency model
In Praise of Lynne – An Open Letter To US Airways
Dear US Airways, We need to talk about your customer service. I lost something on one of your flights two weeks ago. Trying to report it, never mind find out if it was found has been a torturous process that has left me in tears no less than three times. Your phone system repeatedly routed… Continue reading In Praise of Lynne – An Open Letter To US Airways
Health Care Reform for US – Why We Must Have It
I’m taking on one of the many, many myths about what will happen in the US if we have health care reform. Just one, but I think it’s one of the two or three most powerful and it says:
“If we change the system we’ll end up having to pay more.”