It has been 45 years since I lived in Japan.
Much has changed, but much remains the same.
Forty-five years ago, it was not clear that Japanese would accept nuclear power.
What was clear even then was the ability of Japanese society to pull together.
American newspapers write of panic in Japan. As I watch the coverage, I see no signs of panic. Everyone is going about their business with purpose, and the purpose is to help each other.
It reminds me of Reinhold Neibuhr's Serenity Prayer:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
On, Wisconsin?
My high school fight song was sung to the tune of "On, Wisconsin!"
That was probably appropriate, since many if not most of my teachers and many students were from Wisconsin. Probably because of the climate, since my High School was in Anchorage, Territory of Alaska.
It was sixty years ago in Anchorage that I discovered The Progressive, founded by Wisconsin Senator Robert M. LaFollette in 1909. When I encountered the magazine, I was impressed that it pulled no punches in attacking the controversial issues of the day. I was also impressed at the magazine's dedication to democracy and free speech. Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin was a frequent target.
I don't remember ever subscribing, but I would pick up the latest copy whenever I saw it at a news stand. The articles were always thoughtful, probing and perhaps a bit edgy.
It hasn't changed a lot.
To get a flavor of it, check it out here.
Maybe it's time I subscribed.
That was probably appropriate, since many if not most of my teachers and many students were from Wisconsin. Probably because of the climate, since my High School was in Anchorage, Territory of Alaska.
It was sixty years ago in Anchorage that I discovered The Progressive, founded by Wisconsin Senator Robert M. LaFollette in 1909. When I encountered the magazine, I was impressed that it pulled no punches in attacking the controversial issues of the day. I was also impressed at the magazine's dedication to democracy and free speech. Senator Joseph McCarthy of Wisconsin was a frequent target.
I don't remember ever subscribing, but I would pick up the latest copy whenever I saw it at a news stand. The articles were always thoughtful, probing and perhaps a bit edgy.
It hasn't changed a lot.
To get a flavor of it, check it out here.
Maybe it's time I subscribed.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Brains, Education and Jobs
My favorite economist, Paul Krugman, has just begun to address computerization and its effects on employment. Today's column addresses the "hollowing out" of the distribution of jobs. He includes an interesting graph comparing job distribution by skill level in the 80's the 90's and the first decade of the current century.
In a nutshell, mid skill level jobs are disappearing. In the past decade, so are jobs at the higher skill level. In another post, he shows how the ratio of pay for college graduates compared to high school graduates stabilized more than a decade ago.
If your children and grandchildren want an occupation with a reliable future, they need to find something that isn't easily replaced by computers and can't be readily outsourced offshore. Crafts such as plumbing, cabinet making and welding might be good candidates.
In a nutshell, mid skill level jobs are disappearing. In the past decade, so are jobs at the higher skill level. In another post, he shows how the ratio of pay for college graduates compared to high school graduates stabilized more than a decade ago.
If your children and grandchildren want an occupation with a reliable future, they need to find something that isn't easily replaced by computers and can't be readily outsourced offshore. Crafts such as plumbing, cabinet making and welding might be good candidates.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Computers and Lawyers
About three weeks ago I called attention to the effect of computerization on jobs in my post at:
http://mile181.blogspot.com/2011/02/robotics-and-economics.html
Today the New York Times reports on the ability of computer software to replace entire platoons of lawyers with software in complex litigation cases. The article here explains how new advances in software allow firms to screen vast volumes of computer files for relevant documents responding to discovery requests. The impact is substantial. In some cases provided as an example, five hundred attorneys can be replaced with a single attorney.
Experts familiar with the developments suggest that the effect will be that in the future there will be fewer legal jobs, not more. Similar effects are being felt among loan and mortgage officers and tax accountants.
Ironically, computers are also replacing computer engineers who once worked designing computer chips. In fact, unemployment in information technology leads the list of fields tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in unemployment.
The bottom line: the United States economy is being “hollowed out.” New jobs are coming at the bottom of the economic pyramid, jobs in the middle are being lost to automation and outsourcing, and now job growth at the top is slowing.
The only thing left to do seems to be to replace the financial manipulators at the top of the pyramid with software.
Let them look for a job.
http://mile181.blogspot.com/2011/02/robotics-and-economics.html
Today the New York Times reports on the ability of computer software to replace entire platoons of lawyers with software in complex litigation cases. The article here explains how new advances in software allow firms to screen vast volumes of computer files for relevant documents responding to discovery requests. The impact is substantial. In some cases provided as an example, five hundred attorneys can be replaced with a single attorney.
Experts familiar with the developments suggest that the effect will be that in the future there will be fewer legal jobs, not more. Similar effects are being felt among loan and mortgage officers and tax accountants.
Ironically, computers are also replacing computer engineers who once worked designing computer chips. In fact, unemployment in information technology leads the list of fields tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in unemployment.
The bottom line: the United States economy is being “hollowed out.” New jobs are coming at the bottom of the economic pyramid, jobs in the middle are being lost to automation and outsourcing, and now job growth at the top is slowing.
The only thing left to do seems to be to replace the financial manipulators at the top of the pyramid with software.
Let them look for a job.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Census and Elections
The Census Bureau has just released additional data for local jurisdictions in North Carolina. The data for municipalities is posted on the North Carolina League of Municipalities web site. Below are population figures for municipalities in Pamlico County, along with voter registration numbers for each municipality (from Pamlico County Board of Elections):
| 2010 census | Voter Reg | |
| Alliance | 776 | 469 |
| Arapahoe | 556 | 330 |
| Bayboro | 1,263 | 519 |
| Grantsboro | 688 | 459 |
| Mesic | 220 | 154 |
| Minesott Beach | 440 | 408 |
| Oriental | 900 | 870 |
| Stonewall | 281 | 187 |
| Vandemere | 254 | 200 |
Thursday, March 3, 2011
The Country Is Broke?
Are we really broke? Some of my recent posts on the economy make reference to "starve the beast" and other efforts that have been pursued over a sustained period. The obvious goal was to increase the power and wealth of the powerful and wealthy. It seems to be working, to the detriment of everyone else.
Today's New York Times has a different (and clearer) take on the same process here. It is worth reading.
Today's New York Times has a different (and clearer) take on the same process here. It is worth reading.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
What's the Hurry?
A local media outlet described the pending amendment to Oriental's Growth Management Ordinance as including "a provision to grant automatic rezoning approvals."
This is not completely accurate. In fact, the draft amendment to GMO Article XV would apply to any amendment to any provision of our zoning regulations, not only amendments to the growth management map. It would apply to changes in setbacks, for example, to height limitations, to density provisions or any other zoning rule. The proposal would provide automatic granting of any application for any amendment if the Board of Commissioners fails to take final action on the application within 95 days of their first meeting to consider the application.
What's the hurry?
The good news is that the Board of Commissioners has returned the draft to the Planning Board.
This is not completely accurate. In fact, the draft amendment to GMO Article XV would apply to any amendment to any provision of our zoning regulations, not only amendments to the growth management map. It would apply to changes in setbacks, for example, to height limitations, to density provisions or any other zoning rule. The proposal would provide automatic granting of any application for any amendment if the Board of Commissioners fails to take final action on the application within 95 days of their first meeting to consider the application.
What's the hurry?
The good news is that the Board of Commissioners has returned the draft to the Planning Board.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Zoning - On Getting It Right
Oriental's March 1 meeting of the Board of Commissioners decided to send the present draft amendment to the Town's Growth Management Ordinance back to the Planning Board for further work.
This is one of those times it seems best to make the effort and take as much time as necessary to do it right. The issue under consideration is how to proceed with amendments to the Town's zoning ordinance.
There seem to be no urgent projects on the horizon at present. The Board has apparently decided it is more important to get it right than to rush forward.
Good decision.
This is one of those times it seems best to make the effort and take as much time as necessary to do it right. The issue under consideration is how to proceed with amendments to the Town's zoning ordinance.
There seem to be no urgent projects on the horizon at present. The Board has apparently decided it is more important to get it right than to rush forward.
Good decision.
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