Not so platinum behavior will get you kicked out of office occasionally...

I don't know much about Indian politics. It's a massive country with an even larger population that makes the diversity in America look like the diversity you find in Arlington, Virginia. So this article on their elections was pretty interesting. There are just so many parties and so many regions of the country. I'm always surprised that India hasn't split into thirty little countries like the post-soviet union states. Still, it appears there are some constants across the world. Apparently, people don't like it when you use eminent domain to take their land, regardless of where you live. Priceless quote below:

This time, the Communists seem to have got a drubbing in their longtime stronghold state of West Bengal — paradoxically, over the way its investor-friendly leaders tried to forcibly acquire farmland for industry.

Are the 80's making a comeback? should they?

Platinum creativity from the 80's

I don't even know what to write for this one.  Simply stunned.  My little pony is back. 

New Glaurs is so Platinum

New Glarus has got to be the sweetest most amazing beer I have ever had in my life.  But you cannot get it outside of Wisconsin.  

At first I thought this was a bad decision on the part of the brewery; with a tasty brew like theirs one would think they could make a fortune if they expanded.  Then it dawned on me.  Maybe they are making a good decision.  After all, every brewery that has ever good national has seen a decrease in the quality of their product. You may be able to point to instances where a brewery has keep their beer tasting good while going national, but the undeniable truth is that the majority of beers that have gone national have taken a hit in the realm of flavor. For example, Sierra Nevada, Leinenkugel's, ... then their's the obvious example, Pabst Blue Ribbon: god knows they're not getting any ribbons now-a-days.  

 

The fact is, New Glarus Brewing Co. is making a logical decision to keep their product a novelty and maintain the quality of their good.  It's rather long term value oriented and as much as I do think they could make quite a quick buck if they went national I understand where they're coming from and I support it. New Glarus, you're platinum to me.  

Platinum Links

1. Undercover at Walmart - the punchline at the end is great.

2. Well, that just sucks. This is a great event. Hopefully a new sponsor can be found. Doubtful, though.

3. Big surprise.

4. Cool new feature from the NYTimes for home subscribers. Still doesn't get to the heart of the issues facing print journalism, but shows that at least somebody is trying to think creatively.

Platinum Links: Job Edition

1. So who am I supposed to marry?

2. Was this article by David Brooks actually accurate? I'm no longer so sure.

3. Does public schooling/property taxes contribute to white flight? It's a more nuanced argument than one might initially think.

4. I was offered and took a job from these guys while working for this guy specifically. Good times.

Don't Believe the hype

Some perspective from the guys over at gapminder.org(one of my favorite websites).

Platinum Links: Jobs edition

1. Correlation apparently does not equal causation.

2.This is, without a doubt, the greatest burger I've ever had. Glad that the President and I can still agree on the important stuff.

3. I like this way of achieving equality under the law.

4. I got a job offer to work for some very platinum people. There's no link because I like my web footprint being light, but give me a text or call to find out more details. Drinks tonight at this place to celebrate.

Nonplatinum Regulation Leads to "Broken Windows"...

Extreme Home Makeover: Depression Edition



This video is just part I, there are 6 total videos showing the destruction of these model homes.

Simply speechless...

"that's the funniest onion video I've ever seen"  - Eric Heidenreich 

http://www.theonion.com/content/video/should_we_be_doing_more_to_reduce


Should We Be Doing More To Reduce The Graphic Violence In Our Dreams?

Platinum Links

1. One of the better summaries I've ever seen of the affects and process that is teacher tenure. Aside from many of the stories recounted reminding me of my old co-teacher, who by the way is still teaching children as he has for the past 29 years, my main takeaway was: these are the worst of the worst. There's a large number of teachers who fall into the area of just being mediocre, but not doing anything flagrant like assaulting a student. It's more like the gym teacher in the story who can't control his class. To me, it demonstrates the absolute need for better measurement of student academic growth in education. Here's the follow up article in today's paper. Politicians really do behave according to fairly straightforward incentives. I don't usually say this, but good job reporters.

2.One of the smartest people I've ever met and had the chance to learn from just got a promotion.

3. This isn't a link. I may have to agree with Lincoln about the level of funniness of that video. I'm crying in my office right now.

4. I am definitely finding a way to go to this. I know, I'm a nerd.