tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216047572024-02-19T19:35:25.988+03:00Taken at the Flood<i>There is a tide in the affairs of men,<br/>
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune</i>Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.comBlogger147125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-6965676363156575192007-04-12T07:44:00.000+03:002007-04-12T07:47:46.598+03:00Kilgore Trout is no more<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/books/12vonnegut.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin">Sad news.</a><br /><br />Requiem in Pace.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-20189617654853163562007-03-12T17:23:00.000+02:002007-03-12T17:27:21.926+02:00Hiatus<span style="font-style: italic;">Taken at the Flood</span>'s editorial board has elected to place the blog on hiatus for an unspecified period of time. This was a difficult decision, but one which we hope will result in a stronger, more focused blog in future.<br /><br />Please email me if you require further detail.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-11373868026949251422007-02-20T12:34:00.000+02:002008-12-11T01:58:43.689+02:00EnduranceJay in townMy old buddy EnduranceJay is in Istanbul, chilling out after a hectic schedule working in the Far East. Yesterday, we went for a traditional <span style="font-style: italic;">döner kebap</span> in the Sirkeci area, visited the cavernous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_Cistern">Basilica Cistern</a>, checked out a large shopping centre (one of EnduranceJay's passions) and had a quiet tea in Bebek.<br /><br />We returned to the magnificent Four Seasons, Istanbul, considered one of the best hotels in the world by the likes of Travel & Leisure or Conde Nast Traveler. This fine establishment provides hospitality in the grand old tradition, treating EnduranceJay in the manner in which he's come to expect.<br /><br />In the elevator, I was admiring the teak inlay, which led to the following exchange with the bellhop:<br /><br />Bellhop: "Do you know that this is building is a former prison?"<br />Me: "Of course."<br />Bellhop [proudly]: "Did you know that this is the finest prison in the world?"<br />Me: "I suppose it is."<br />Bellhop: "Do you know why this is the finest prison in the world?"<br />Me: [confused] "No..."<br />Bellhop: [triumphantly]: "Because you have your freedom. You are free to come and go as you please."<br /><br />EnduranceJay has embraced British colonialism of Hong Kong, therefore he has taken to drinking the occasional gin & tonic. We sat by the fire, sipping our G&Ts, and talking of new adventures.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEFVXQZkCr-ceWrQCQR6Bbus0kUD80suV0x6w2KrcY30hZze-V9m6_MycTTvymcxBNX0JEfhqRsiz8YPrGgs6oOh6_pzYEUIBdZtzgeVUV96cikhDDKMW7ooEDjWbSf3wPfgp/s1600-h/IMGP1147.JPG"><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzEFVXQZkCr-ceWrQCQR6Bbus0kUD80suV0x6w2KrcY30hZze-V9m6_MycTTvymcxBNX0JEfhqRsiz8YPrGgs6oOh6_pzYEUIBdZtzgeVUV96cikhDDKMW7ooEDjWbSf3wPfgp/s320/IMGP1147.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1171118988757473102007-02-10T15:58:00.000+02:002007-02-10T17:39:28.366+02:00Socially beneficial engagement giftsI found <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450259/">Blood Diamond</a>, despite its occasional descent into cloying melodrama, to be a reasonably entertaining flick. But one of its central messages was pretty interesting: the culture of sophisticated, bourgeois Westerners who insist on fancy diamond engagement rings carries a price of bloodshed and misery half a world away.<br /><br />The movie makes much of the fact that the World Diamond Congress has since adopted a certification process intended to reduce the traffic of "conflict diamonds". But any undergraduate could tell you that because diamonds are, for the most part, fungible, this certification scheme is likely to be largely ineffective.<br /><br />The problems here are complex, resulting from a feedback loop of unstable, kleptocratic regimes propped up by the West's insatiable demand for diamonds. The regimes and militias who benefit from the diamond trade create conditions which keep these regions unstable, poor and thus reliant upon the trade. Economists have long noted the counterintuitive point that countries with valuable natural resources often remain poor because the near-term incentive to steal overwhelms the incentive to maintain stable property rights necessary for a prosperous economy.<br /><br />Over the long term, in order to be successful, African nations will need responsible, pluralistic governments which secure property rights under the rule of law. I would submit that one way to encourage such a transformation would be for Westerners to lower our "addiction to diamonds" (to adapt a familiar cliché normally used in a different context).<br /><br />Which leads to the interesting question: why does our culture traditionally value diamonds as engagement gifts? I submit that a pricey engagement ring serves two important purposes:<br /><ul><li>First, it acts as a powerful signal of fidelity and commitment. Evolutionary psychology teaches us that a mammalian female needs to be very discerning in her choice of sexual partner, due to the time, effort and risk involved in pregnancy. The purchase of an expensive diamond is an efficient way for a male to credibly demonstrate his "fitness" in terms of commitment.</li><li>Second, a diamond is a subtle way for a male to communicate his superior status, both to his prospective bride and to his sexual rivals. Social status is a key marker of fitness for male primates.</li></ul>So the problem here is to find an alternative mechanism which conveys both commitment and status, while having no negative external social impact (or, better yet, creating a net external social benefit).<br /><br />I submit a sort of public, web-based registry which publishes the names of the purchaser and recipient of a "donation diamond". Imagine you are an attorney making $150,000 a year, and you want to propose to your sweetheart. Using the "two months salary" rule, you would contribute $25,000 to your favourite 501(c)3 charity, and keeping a receipt for your year-end tax return, you would e-mail a copy of this receipt to the Donation Diamond registry. Having confirmed that this is indeed a legitimate charity, the registry would publish on its searchable web database your name as purchaser, your fiancee's name as recipient, and a "karat" number (say, $5,000 per karat) based on the magnitude of your donation. You could even have an index which translates this karat value into a "number of children saved from malaria", etc. This way, gossips and busybodies (i.e. her girlfriends) could evaluate the level of your commitment to her with a few keystrokes. It would be a nice symmetry if people chose to contribute to African charities, but I propose that one should leave this choice at the donor's discretion.<br /><br />This solution has several benefits:<br /><ul><li>It would adequately convey the groom's commitment.</li><li>A larger donation would be a means to convey status.</li><li>The charitable donation, if properly executed, will hopefully help someone in need.<br /></li><li>Tax-advantaged giving would provide more bang for one's buck.</li><li>Last, but not least, it would give smug people a chance to show how socially responsible they are. In some social circles this carries a cachet of its own.<br /></li></ul>I would like to think my proposed solution would appeal to the cultural elites on both coasts, who tend be vocal in their professed dedication to social justice. The cynic in me fears that their love for baubles and trinkets may trump such dedication, which is why I think the last point above is important - social pressure would shame those who prefer blood diamonds to charity.<br /><br />Questions:<br />Have I framed the problem correctly? Did I miss any other functions currently served by the institution of engagement ring purchase? Does my proposed solution have any glaring flaws? Can you perhaps think of a better solution?Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1170590900981721662007-02-04T14:03:00.000+02:002007-02-10T15:57:52.860+02:00LeviathanThe Bears of Chicago are heavy underdogs tonight, resulting in Uncle Vegas showering us with the gift of a +210 line taking them straight-up. (If you don't know what that means, don't bother, it is probably in your long-term interest that you ignore this post.) But, thanks to the over-reaching US Congress, my internet, um, bookie has been shut down. I mean, this is government run amok! (OK, so many of you are pointing out that I say those words approximately 7 times a day, but this time I really mean it.)<br /><br />Why is the US Government so against my enjoying the simple pleasure of Super Bowl profit? Bastards.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Addendum: </span>Thanks to Lovie Smith's inexplicable reluctance to run the ball, coupled with Rex Grossman's general incompetence, I find myself in the odd position of actually benefiting (<span style="font-style: italic;">post hoc</span>) from a government policy designed to protect me from myself. Oh, how Fate mocks me.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1170155595876412802007-01-30T12:35:00.000+02:002007-01-30T15:48:21.516+02:00Review: Dennett<a href="http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/bios/dennett.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Daniel C. Dennett</span></a>'s book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Darwins-Dangerous-Idea-Evolution-Meanings/dp/068482471X"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Darwin's Dangerous Idea</u></a>, is a striking <span style="font-style: italic;">tour de force</span> which synthesizes a great deal of past and current research in order to support the following thesis: <span style="font-style: italic;">All of life's complexity can be attributed, directly or indirectly, to the blind, algorithmic process of evolution via random mutation and natural selection</span>. This idea, according to Dennett, is as dangerous as its critics suspect. It provides a hypothesis which, taken to its extreme, shows that the great miracles of life - including the human brain, the diversity of species, and nature's balance in the biosphere - can be shown to have evolved without any guiding intelligence of any kind.<br /><br />This is strong stuff.<br /><br />Dennett, a philosopher of science, writes as an analytical philosopher should - as an interpreter of the results of discoveries across various disciplines in a manner which provides novel insight. On the way, Dennett makes use of illuminating thought experiments, and explains the nuances of the "new Darwinian synthesis", pulling the reader away from many common fallacies:<br /><ul><li>He explodes the myth of the "great chain of being", noting that evolution only responds to selection pressure, and is not necessarily moving in a particular direction, good or bad.</li><li>He notes that a Darwinian "adaptationist" perspective does not imply Social Darwinism, eugenics or what he deems "greedy reductionism".</li><li>He explains the logical flaws of "group selection".</li><li>He emphasizes that evolution is a short-term algorithm; adaptations must have short-term benefits to survive. A corollary of this point is that original uses of adaptations may have no correspondence with their ultimate uses, as circumstances and organisms change over time.</li></ul>Dennett's most provocative point is the idea that evolution is a substrate-neutral algorithm whose operation is not limited to the genome. He attempts to show how the original building blocks of life - enzymes and proteins - were the result of Darwinian processes. He speculates (and this is <span style="font-style: italic;">not </span>science, as far as I can tell) that such mechanistic processes may have even resulted in the physical laws of our universe, which are finely tuned to allow complex matter and, thus, life. Further, he extends the process to the ideas, institutions and cultural artifacts which surround us (borrowing Richard Dawkins' word "meme").<br /><br />This last point is important, in that he asserts what makes us human, and what makes us distinct from other species, is that we are not merely our own cells and the cells of the various bacteria which live inside or on us. Due to our ability to communicate through language, we are also, in a very important and real sense, made up of the memes which infest our minds. In fact, due to memes such as compulsory education, writing, modern farming techniques and the scientific method, the average person today is, in practical terms, far more intelligent than Pythagoras or Aristotle. In fact, because the changes of culture and technology have allowed us to evolve at such a rapid rate, I differ far more from my great-grandfather than he differed from Plato. (Obviously, Dennett is not saying that culture or science evolve randomly. Rather, he notes that these artifacts are themselves products of a brain that itself evolved from Darwinian processes. Hence, my "direct or indirect" loophole above.)<br /><br />As I noted earlier, this is hot stuff. Politically-charged and philosophically controversial, the current dialogue regarding Darwin is impassioned precisely because so much of our world view is at stake. Dennett is an unapologetic materialist, atheist, Darwinian adaptationist who takes on opponents with the rigour of a good analytical philosopher. The challenge of this undertaking is enormous because of both the nuance and the sheer scope of these issues which have confounded so many specialists.<br /><br />This is a tough book to read. It is replete with thought experiments, technical details and jargon that inevitably results from precise philosophy. It helps to have taken a course or two in analytical (that is, non-Continental) philosophy at the undergraduate level. Because I have forgotten most of that stuff, I found myself constantly referring to <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/">Wikipedia</a> and to the <a href="http://plato.stanford.edu/">Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy</a>. The sheer density of Dennett's ideas and precision of his prose result in a book which is not the most accessible to the lay reader. However, for those who are willing to expend some effort in trying to penetrate the philosophy and science behind Darwin's hypothesis, this is an excellent starting point.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1169480600998092332007-01-22T16:26:00.000+02:002007-01-22T18:18:23.796+02:00Juicy Fruit SkiesBack in the dizzay, there was a Wrigley's Juicy Fruit gum commercial which depicted skiers doing tons of tricks, jumping and carving through brilliant white snow. As the jingle played its hook - "Juicy Fruit is gonna move ya!" - the skiers flipped and spun in the air beneath a brilliant, cloudless blue sky. Since those days, Ace, his brother Poopie Loopie and I have always referred to perfect skiing weather as "Juicy Fruit Skies".<br /><br />This weekend a few buddies and I drove up to <a href="http://www.guidetoturkey.com/ski_centers/kartalkaya.asp">Kartalkaya</a> ("Eagle's Nest") about 280 km east of Istanbul. Saturday I rose at 7:00 and hit the slopes shortly after the lifts opened. The visibility was poor, the mountain covered in a cloud which began to drop thick flakes in the late morning. This didn't matter to me, however, because there were no lift lines and, off-piste, we found plenty of untracked, pure powder. In the late afternoon when the wind made conditions intolerable we sat in a tiny lodge at the top of the slope, sipping mulled wine in order to fortify ourselves.<br /><br />The next morning I awoke, bleary-eyed after the traditional evening of beer drinking, pool playing, beer drinking, eating, beer drinking, clubbing and beer drinking. I was about to roll over for another hour of sleep, when I noticed a peculiar light peeking behind the curtain.<br /><br />I immediately bolted upright and drew aside the drapes.<br /><br />Juicy. Fruit. Skies.<br /><br />In less than ninety minutes we had packed up the car, checked out of the hotel, eaten a quick breakfast and found ourselves on top of the mountain. Under a gleaming blue sky, I surveyed an untouched expanse of powder. I dialed up my favourite ski tune on my iPod, waited for Eddie Van Halen's opening riffs, then, as "Diamond" David Lee Roth crooned "<a href="http://www.lyricsfreak.com/v/van+halen/panama_20142894.html">Panama, Panamaha!</a>", I careened down the slope through several feet of beautiful, fluffy white goodness.<br /><br />For some reason, the Turks prefer to stick to groomed runs, leaving the abundant off-piste slopes and bowls to greedy fellows like myself. It was an epic day. My buddy Brazilian Will went out despite suffering from a wrist that had either been badly sprained or broken the day before. On days like this, you just suck it up and play. (Once, back in high school, I fractured my thumb and kept quiet about it because I didn't want to miss a trip the following week to Mont Tremblant. Sometimes you need to sacrifice the body for the higher self.)<br /><br />Days like yesterday are what make skiing and snowboarding the sports that capture such passion among their adherents. My buddy Mike D once turned down a job in Dallas because he couldn't imagine living far from a decent mountain. I have plenty of other friends (Ace, Captain Lou, Matt the Cat, BK, among others) who explicitly consider proximity to good skiing as a factor in their decisions regarding where to live. I wholeheartedly agree.<br /><br />By the way, now that I've skied in Asia, Europe and North America, it's time to head down to a Chilean resort. Perhaps 2008? Anyone?Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1169472247295831422007-01-22T14:56:00.000+02:002007-01-22T16:05:34.323+02:00NFL Predictions RevisitedWe at "Taken At The Flood" believe in accountability. Therefore, with an exciting Bears-Colts Super Bowl coming up, let us revisit our <a href="http://istanbulsunset.blogspot.com/2006/09/2006-nfl-predictions.html">pre-season NFL predictions</a>:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">1. Eli Manning will not live up to the considerable media hype.</span><br /><br />Eli, in his third full season with the New York Giants, completed just 57.7% of his throws resulting in a passer rating of 77, 18th in the league. He threw 18 interceptions, tying Brett Favre (see below) for fourth place in this category of dubious achievement.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">2. The Philadelphia Eagles will finish their season 11-5, winning the difficult NFC East. The hated Dallas Cowboys will finish second in the division, despite Terrell Eldorado Owens' antics. The aforementioned Eli Manning's Giants will not make the playoffs, due to their tough schedule and aging running game. The Washington Redskins will implode.</span><br /><br />The Eagles in fact, miraculously, finished 10-6, winning the division. I also got the order of finish correct, and was right about the Redskins. The Giants, however, did manage to back into the playoffs despite a .500 record, due to the mediocrity of the NFC.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">3. I shall once again win my suicide pool.</span><br /><br />Sadly, the perfidious Jacksonville Jaguars screwed me by losing to the lowly Texans, and Double Barrel ran away with the title.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">4. Raiders owner Al Davis will not be a very happy man.</span><br /><br />The Raiders finished 2-14, worst in the league. What a catastrophe.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">5. Cowboys coach Dick Parcells will not be a very happy man. This bet with Faceman is whisky in the bank.</span><br /><br />According to Michael Lewis' article in the New York Times Magazine, Parcells literally choked on his own bile while attempting to sleep during the season. Handling Vanderjagt, Owens and Bledsoe almost killed the guy. And I won the bet with Faceman, of course. Let's not even mention Tony "butterfingers" Romo.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">6. The Madden Curse will continue, resulting in an injury to Shaun Alexander.</span><br /><br />Alexander broke his foot this season.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">7. Kicker Mike Vanderjagt will miss a critical potential winning or tying kick in the waning seconds of a game. This will not make Mr. Parcells happy.</span><br /><br />Vanderjagt, despite making $3.3 million this year, was cut by Parcells mid-season after missing two field goal attempts at home against the Colts.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">8. My buddy Cooter will deep-fry a turkey before watching football on Thanksgiving Day.</span><br /><br />I assume this happened. Cooter is insane.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">9. My buddy ZMama will not become a Niners fan, despite having moved to the Bay Area.</span><br /><br />ZMama had the pleasure of watching her Seahawks beat the Cowboys in probably the most amazing finish to a playoff game I have ever seen.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">10. The Patriots will take the Deion Branch holdout and loss of kicker Adam Viniateri in stride, culminating in another successful season.</span><br /><br />Despite much hand-wringing from the Boston sports media and key injuries, the Pats finished 12-4 and made it to the AFC Conference Final.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">11. Brett Favre will end his career with a horrible losing season, due primarily to front office incompetence. Good offenses are built around the line, guys. The lack of protection will be ugly.</span><br /><br />Favre actually managed to finish 8-8, primarily due to the lack of quality NFC competition. And his offensive line was surprisingly good at pass protection, allowing just 21 sacks (tied for 9th best).<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">12. Football remains a game of attrition, and injuries will have a big effect in December and January. This is not so much a prediction as an immutable truth.</span><br /><br />Injuries undid the seasons of many teams, including my beloved Eagles. Football is a tough sport played by very tough men.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">13. San Diego Coach Marty Schottenheimer, if he can make it to the playoffs, will make a boneheaded decision resulting in a loss and/or failure to cover the spread, making me lots of money in the process.</span><br /><br />In this year's playoffs, this Schottenheimer fellow, in no particular order:<br /><ul><li>Challenged a clear fumble, losing a timeout in the process.</li><li>Went for it early on 4th and 11 at the opposing 30-yard line, costing his team a relatively sure 3 points and achieving nothing in the process.</li><li>Did not manage to drill into his defensive players that on a fourth down pass, you <span style="font-style: italic;">bat the pass down, instead of trying to intercept!</span> This is high school level stuff. But somehow, Chargers safety Marlon McCree did not get this message, intercepting on fourth down in order to make the highlight reel and fumbling the ball back to the opposition. What a douchebag.<br /></li><li>Called 32 pass plays for rookie QB Phil Rivers and gave only 23 touches to the League MVP and all-around stud LaDainian Tomlinson (whose name, as <a href="http://www.wagercom.com/free-nfl-football-picks.html" target="blank">Jiggy Donuts</a> would say, means "The Dainian" in French). This is just inexcusable. All Marty had to do was run the ball, and he could have won that game.<br /></li></ul>The result, as you know, was that the Chargers blew an 8 point lead, losing at home to the underdog Patriots. Marty is now 5-13 in the playoffs. However, the saddest part of this sordid story is that I did not make money on this game because I neglected to take my own advice and bet heavily against Marty. As Warren Buffett likes to say, "predicting rain doesn't count, building arks does". In this respect, I failed miserably.<br /><br />Looking back, this NFL season and post-season showed once again why the sport is so popular in North America. It had moments of sublime excitement and drama. Now that it is all but over, I will turn my attention once again to hockey, and wait for the Ottawa Senators to break my heart as usual in May.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1166699905230110102006-12-21T13:15:00.000+02:002006-12-21T13:19:13.596+02:00Christmas Wish<a href="http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/preview/NFL_20061225_PHI@DAL">I only want one thing this Christmas</a>.<br /><br />This one goes out to my man Facemanb:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2w69UYHW424"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2w69UYHW424" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1166007848775015162006-12-13T12:53:00.000+02:002006-12-13T13:04:08.940+02:00N.C.A.A. PsyopA central prediction of economics is that competition spurs innovation. The New York Times Magazine has an amazing story about how the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/10/magazine/10Section2b.t-6.html">intense cauldron of college basketball has led to delightfully Machiavellian psychological tactics</a>.<br /><br />The nut graf:<br /><blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;">The solution to how to neutralize Pruitt came not from a game plan of X’s and O’s but from military-style psychological operations. In the week leading up to the game, members of Cal’s Rally Committee, who earlier obtained Pruitt’s Instant Messenger screen name, created an I.M. account for a fictional U.C.L.A. coed named Victoria. “Victoria” began flirting with Pruitt, sending him photos of herself (pictures of a very attractive woman that the Cal students had taken off the Internet) and telling him that she and her friends wanted to party with him and his teammates back in L.A. after the game against Cal.</span></blockquote>Oh man. Maybe we should have done this kind of thing to Osama.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1165754624047507912006-12-10T14:19:00.000+02:002006-12-10T15:30:38.613+02:00Good to see the fellow still has itMartin Scorsese is back.<br /><br />I shall not bore you with a comprehensive <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/departed/" target="blank">review</a> of "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407887/" target="blank">The Departed</a>", given the late timing and a suspicion that most of my readers have already seen it. But it's worth mentioning how gratified I am to see an old master back in form. This is the man who made some of the most significant films of my lifetime. Who among us can forget the first time he saw "Goodfellas"? I still remember going to the cinema in Paris to see "Taxi Driver", hearing the thumping sub-woofer booming as Travis Bickle slowly cruised New York amongst "the filth, the shit".<br /><br />What struck me about "The Departed" was not just the taught suspense, the earthy dialogue or the Freudian, literary themes. What is truly astonishing is the depth and breadth of performances by the cast. Sure, crazy Jack is back, delivering his signature demonic glare and smoldering, snarling ad libs. But Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Mark Wahlberg really deliver the goods. It is absolutely stunning to me that little Leo DiCaprio (from Growing Pains) and Marky Mark (of the Funky Bunch) have shaped up to be the best actors of my generation. Unbelievable. I should mention that the supporting cast includes Martin Sheen and Alec Baldwin, both graciously comfortable with relatively subsidiary roles.<br /><br />I have made no secret of <a href="http://istanbulsunset.blogspot.com/2006/03/why-brokeback-lost.html">my disdain for the Academy's voting structure</a>, but I hope Scorsese finally gets the nod.<br /><br />If you haven't already checked out this flick, I highly recommend you do so.*<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />*Recommendation excludes my mother or anybody else who is uncomfortable with extreme violence in movies.</span>Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1164716838329697192006-11-28T14:12:00.000+02:002006-11-28T14:36:33.730+02:00Hoşgeldiniz, Papa<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/11/28/turkey.pope/">The Pope arrived in Turkey today</a>, prompting worldwide headlines. Also, my mother called a few days ago to warn me not to go near any mosques (because a handful of protesters have also garnered headlines). I live in a part of the city which, although relatively new compared with the Byzantine portion, has been settled for at least 500 years. There is a small mosque which I pass every day on my way to work. Last night at a buddy's birthday we dined in the old city, in a former Ottoman mansion which sits adjacent to an old mosque. Basically, avoiding mosques is not a practical option.<br /><br />I will place my chips on civilized culture and the rule of law preventing any serious shenanigans.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1164521078929744242006-11-26T07:58:00.000+02:002006-11-29T14:45:49.156+02:00Congratulations Dr. HMy friend Dr. H has, in addition to his Bachelor's degree in finance from the Wharton School, a PhD in physics from CalTech. He is a true scholar. So, it is fitting that, as Double Barrel reports in a one-line email, he and his bride entered the wedding reception serenaded by Tupac Shakur's masterpiece "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWOsbGP5Ox4" target="blank">California Love</a>".<br /><br />Good show, my friend, good show.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1163853357667361672006-11-18T14:25:00.000+02:002006-11-18T17:33:22.533+02:00My winter reading listHere is what is on my bookshelf for the winter; expect these to be reviewed in due course:<br /><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Judgment-under-Uncertainty-Heuristics-Biases/dp/0521284147/sr=8-1/qid=1163862619/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-9660544-9224823?ie=UTF8&s=books"><br />Judgment Under Uncertainty: Heuristics and Biases</a></u>, Kahneman, Slovic and Tversky. My buddy S-Dub notes that this is the classic decision theory text. Kahneman won the Nobel in Economics for some of this stuff.<br /><br /><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-Delusion-Richard-Dawkins/dp/0618680004/sr=1-1/qid=1163862750/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-9660544-9224823?ie=UTF8&s=books">The God Delusion</a></u>, Richard Dawkins. This one got a lot of press when it came out. A militant atheist, Dawkins might be tilting at windmills, but he is a serious scholar so deserves to be read.<br /><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Calculus-Consent-Foundations-Constitutional-Paperbacks/dp/0472061003/sr=1-1/qid=1163862790/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-9660544-9224823?ie=UTF8&s=books"><br />The Calculus of Consent: Logical Foundations of Constitutional Democracy</a></u>, Buchanan and Tullock. I loved Buchanan's papers when I was in college and I'm amazed I haven't yet read this book. This is the definitive book on public choice theory.<br /><br /><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Calculus-Consent-Foundations-Constitutional-Paperbacks/dp/0472061003/sr=1-1/qid=1163862790/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-9660544-9224823?ie=UTF8&s=books">Darwin's Dangerous Idea: Evolution and the Meaning of Life</a></u>, Daniel C. Dennet. Dennet is an analytical philosopher who specializes mainly in cognitive science. In this volume he explicates natural selection from his perspective as a philosopher of science. Unfortunately my copy of his other interesting book, <u>Freedom Evolves</u>, is in storage.<br /><br /><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Words-Rules-Ingredients-Steven-Pinker/dp/0060958405/sr=1-1/qid=1163863317/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-9660544-9224823?ie=UTF8&s=books">Words and Rules: The Ingredients of Language</a></u>, Steven Pinker. In his latest book, Pinker examines irregular verbs to tease out elements of our cognitive architecture. <br /><br />I am posting this list mainly to give you an idea of my current interests. These include cognitive science, evolutionary biology, the philosophy of science, behavioral economics and public choice theory. <span style="font-weight: bold;">If you know of something I should be reading, please leave a comment or email me.</span>Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1163852088610679702006-11-18T13:13:00.000+02:002006-11-18T17:35:44.363+02:00A few short book reviewsWhat I've read recently:<br /><br /><u style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guns-Germs-Steel-Fates-Societies/dp/0393317552">Guns, Germs and Steel</a></u><span style="font-weight: bold;">, Jared Diamond</span><br />This is an interesting, albeit flawed book. Written by a biologist, it seeks to examine the root causes of the striking disparities in relative fortunes of Eurasian versus non-Eurasian societies. When he sticks to this topic, he provides a compelling thesis backed by an abundance of evidence. When he strays from his sphere of competence, a few problems emerge. For example, he occasionally resorts to a cloying political correctness - explaining that one should dismiss theories of racial or cultural superiority because they are morally repugnant (and, by the way, untrue). Now, as a scientist, he should stick to science. One evaluates a theory based on its predictive power and its explanatory value. One rejects a theory when it is falsified by evidence which results from empirical inquiry. Moral repugnance is not a scientific criterion.<br /><br />The other major flaw I found occurs at the latter part of the book, which, as Double Barrel dryly noted, descends into an advertisement for the author's consultancy and speaking services. Diamond makes some initial attempts to bring his analysis to bear on contemporary society, ignoring the fact that we have already been doing this for over 200 years. Not one mention of <u><a href="http://www.econlib.org/LIBRARY/Smith/smWN.html">The Wealth of Nations</a></u> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endogenous_growth_theory">endogenous growth theory</a> - inexcusable.<br /><br />Finally, I should mention that I've read comments from others suggesting he tends to ignore or omit evidence that contradicts his grand vision. Despite these flaws, this remains an engaging read.<br /><br /><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blind-Side-Evolution-Game/dp/039306123X"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game</span></a></u><span style="font-weight: bold;">, Michael Lewis</span><br />Lewis' overriding strength is his flair for storytelling. Despite its subtitle, this book is not <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Moneyball-Art-Winning-Unfair-Game/dp/0393324818/sr=1-1/qid=1163851837/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-9660544-9224823?ie=UTF8&s=books">Moneyball</a> for football; rather, it is primarily a touching human interest story regarding a disadvantage inner-city youth who improbably becomes adopted by a wealthy suburban family. There are a couple of sparse chapters regarding football strategy and tactics (the chapter contrasting Parcells and Walsh is worth the price of the book) but readers seeking a more analytical treatment of football should read <a href="http://www.thesportseconomist.com/">The Sports Economist</a> or articles such as <a href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/2006/11/10/ramblings/too-deep-zone/4506/">this one by Eagle fan Mike Tanier at Footballoutsiders.com</a>.<br /><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stumbling-Happiness-Daniel-Gilbert/dp/1400042666"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stumbling on Happiness</span></a></u><span style="font-weight: bold;">, Daniel Gilbert</span><br />This is the best book I have read since Pinker's <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blank-Slate-Modern-Denial-Nature/dp/0142003344/sr=1-1/qid=1163850702/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-9660544-9224823?ie=UTF8&s=books">The Blank Slate</a></u> (which, by the way, I highly recommend). Writing from the perspective of an experimental psychologist, <a href="http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2004/01.15/01-happiness.html">Gilbert</a> skilfully weaves the strands of cognitive neuroscience, psychology, behavioral economics and philosophy to provide a detailed explanation of how and why we make systematic, predictable errors regarding our own happiness. For somebody who was raised on the assumption of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homo_economicus">rational utility-maximizer</a>, this is powerful stuff. Indeed, it is the type of book that really excites anybody who is interested in human behavior. Additionally, Gilbert writes in an entertaining, jocular manner which allows him to efficiently convey some subtle, complex concepts to the lay reader. The book's main conclusions deserve their own post, which I promise will come soon. Seriously, stop reading this silly blog and buy this book now.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1163776949163032042006-11-17T17:15:00.000+02:002006-11-18T09:52:38.286+02:00Addendum - the Coase-Friedman story, accuratelyMy former public policy professor, who is gracious enough to indulge ex-students by reading their self-indulgent blogs, writes via email:<br /><br />"I remember the story a little differently, but not in any truly important respect: Coase gave the paper in a workshop, during which Friedman, George Stigler (also later to win a Nobel prize), and others argued with Coase that he was surely wrong. After the workshop they continued the conversation at Aaron Director’s house (Rose’s father), with the room full of some of top living economists all convinced that Coase was wrong, and Coase, who was relatively unknown at the time, holding his ground. During the long night, one by one Coase convinced the doubters. Friedman, predictably, was the last to change his opinion. But he did, finally conceding to Coase that he was right and Friedman had been wrong. Friedman left the evening one of Coase’s strongest supporters, convinced by Coase’s superior logic on this point. <br /><br />"George Stigler later described this as the most intellectually exciting and gratifying evening of his life, watching an unpopular idea triumph through the force of reason and the willingness of brilliant, but strong-willed skeptics to bow to the force of a superior argument."Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1163759839247624012006-11-17T12:07:00.000+02:002006-11-17T15:31:45.373+02:00Farewell, Uncle Milty<p class="MsoNormal"></p><a href="http://www.cato.org/special/friedman/friedman/index.html">Professor Milton Friedman</a>, Nobel Laureate, Senior Research Fellow at the august Hoover Institution at Stanford University, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Chicago, founding member of the <a href="http://www.montpelerin.org/aboutmps.html">Mont Pelerin Society</a>, best-selling author and tireless advocate of human liberty, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/17/business/17friedman.html?hp&ex=1163826000&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;en=505fe80dff8061d4&ei=5094&partner=homepage">passed away yesterday at the age of 94</a>.<br /><br />A self-described economist by vocation and policy entrepreneur by avocation, Professor Friedman was rare indeed: a specialist in science who reached the top of his field and a gifted public intellectual who popularized his insights, thus profoundly influencing debate. He was both paragon and polymath. His technical contributions to economics in the twentieth century were broad and deep: he produced the <a href="http://ingrimayne.com/econ/FiscalDead/PermIncome.html">permanent income hypothesis of consumption</a>, the <a href="http://www.econ.jhu.edu/pdf/papers/WP475_ball.pdf">non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment</a>, the <a href="http://www.sabhlokcity.com/lists/india_policy/2000/Jun/msg00007.html">negative income tax</a> and <a href="http://www.federalreserve.gov/boardDocs/Speeches/2003/20031024/default.htm">monetarist theories of inflation and business cycle history</a>.<br /><br />In various obituaries, he is described as a “conservative”, a label he repudiated. How many conservatives would argue, during the Vietnam war, against the draft? How many conservatives favor decriminalizing heroin and prostitution?<br /><br />For a comprehensive description of his contributions to public life and the field of economics, see the links I have included below. I will restrict myself to some personal reflections:<br /><ul><li>When I was about twelve years old, I was bored at Ace’s parents’ place in Montreal, and picked up “<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Free-Choose-Statement-Milton-Friedman/dp/0156334607">Free to Choose</a>” off his father’s bookshelf. This was my first introduction to Professor Friedman’s lucid and engaging style.</li><li>Years later, as a student in Paris, I came to the realization that all of my beliefs and prejudices were inexorably influenced by my environment and upbringing – what I took to be random variables. As such, I commenced the arduous task of stripping these cherished beliefs down and rebuilding my views from first principles. One evening, in a smoky bar in the Quartier Latin, I found myself arguing with a garden-variety college lefty and a Wharton Reaganite. More than that, I was arguing with myself. “One one hand,” I was describing the best arguments for greater government intervention in a certain sphere. I continued, “But Milton Friedman would reply…” My Reaganite friend paused for a second, broke into a wide, maudlin smile, and replied, “Good ol’ Uncle Milty!”</li><li>Back in Philadelphia a few years later, my Public Policy prof was explaining to us how revolutionary the <a href="http://www.daviddfriedman.com/Libertarian/The_Swedes.html">Coase Theorem</a> was in its day. According to the story, when Professor Coase first proposed the idea, it caused consternation amongst the faculty at the U. of Chicago. So they set aside a day where they could challenge the theory and Coase would be obliged to defend it. By and by, it got late and so they all retired to Uncle Milty’s house. There, they stayed up all night (I imagine they were drinking bourbon) discussing the matter. In the wee hours, after all the other professors had tried their attacks, Professor Friedman spoke up and began an intensive cross-examination of the witness. When day broke, Coase was still standing, and having survived Friedman’s inquiry it was apparent to all that his idea was important, correct and thus revolutionary. If you could withstand Friedman’s critiques, your idea must have been good. In this particular case, it was Nobel-Prize-winning good.</li><li>A couple of years later in San Francisco, Double Barrel and I were poring over his copies of the <a href="http://www.hoover.org/publications/digest/">Hoover Digest</a>. “Shazzy,” Double Barrel announced, “we need to find out where Milton Friedman hangs out and buy him some drinks!” Sadly, we never achieved this goal.<br /></li><li>Lastly, in July 2004, I donned my tuxedo and attended the award-giving ceremony for The Cato Institute’s Milton Friedman Prize For Advancing Liberty at the Ritz-Carleton. True to form, Uncle Milty was both insightful and witty. After the dinner, I was waiting for the valet to get my car, when I turned to my left and was surprised to see the Professor with his wife Rose, a distinguished economist in her own right. She gave me a warm smile, and as I helped her into her limo, I whispered “thanks for all your hard work.” I couldn’t bring myself to address Uncle Milty himself. I mean, I’ve met celebrities, billionaires and Nobelists before. But this was Milton Friedman!<br /></li></ul>Rest in peace, Uncle Milty - you deserve it. <br /><br />I leave the last word to the pithy Baroness Thatcher: "<a href="http://www.forbes.com/business/manufacturing/feeds/ap/2006/11/16/ap3183108.html">He was an intellectual freedom fighter. Never was there a less dismal practitioner of a dismal science.</a>"<br /><br />Further reading:<br /><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/17/business/17milton.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1163744219-Jn2Gszd+9dbqPnzg7fUxbA">Professor Goolsbee's New York Times commentary</a><br /><a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/cb74eef8-7599-11db-aea1-0000779e2340.html">Samual Brittan's FT Obituary</a><br /><a href="http://gregmankiw.blogspot.com/2006/11/milton-friedman.html">Professor Mankiw's 1998 article "The Economist Of The Century"</a><br /><a href="http://www.federalreserve.gov/boardDocs/Speeches/2003/20031024/default.htm">Then-Governor Bernanke's 2003 Speech</a><br /><a href="http://www.cato.org/index.html">The Cato Institute</a><a href="http://www.hoover.org/pubaffairs/releases/4667846.html"><br />The Hoover Institution Press Release</a><a href="http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2006/11/when_i_think_of.html#more"><br />Tyler Cowen's Initial Take</a><a href="http://www.ideachannel.com/Friedman.htm"><br />Ideachannel's list of speeches and documents</a>Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1162736907248757672006-11-05T23:10:00.000+02:002006-11-08T22:37:30.900+02:00The 28th Annual Intercontinental Istanbul Eurasia MarathonYesterday, upon awaking from a fitful slumber, I perceived, outside the window, thick snowflakes descending at a near-horizontal angle. This is the type of weather that I'm told Eskimos (or Inuit, if you prefer) refer to as "bloody shite". I had a decision to make: should I register myself for the 15 km event at the 28th Annual <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasia_Marathon">Eurasia Marathon</a>, the only footrace that spans two continents?<br /><br />I knew that:<br /><ul><li>I was suffering from residual jetlag.</li><li>The weather, as described, was terrible.</li><li>For various complicated reasons, over the past month, I had trained as many times as I had smoked a cigar (once each, respectively).</li></ul>Mulling over these points, I was sorely tempted to throw in the towel. But we Canadians are made of stern stuff, and, besides: 1) it's only a bit more than nine miles, which doesn't exactly require assiduous training and 2) how often does one get to start a footrace in Asia and finish in Europe?<br /><br />And so, a couple of pasta meals later, I awoke to a clear blue sky (technically, I was up slightly before dawn, but after my shower and morning cup of tea, the sky was scintillating). Perhaps a tad nippy, but all in all, a perfect day for a run. While warming up at the Start, I saw a Kenyan fellow limbering his muscles, and I remembered my mother telling of guys who would run hundreds of miles through the bush in order to make it to qualifying trials for the national team. This gentleman looked like a winner.<br /><a href="http://www.istanbulmarathon.org.tr/english/e-route.asp"><br />We started on the Asian side</a> of the Bosphorus and the first leg took us across the Bosphorus Bridge back to Europe. The views from this bridge are stunning, however, under the circumstances, it was very difficult to properly appreciate the magnificence. As most of you know, <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1414183115323448274&q=the+autumn+wind&hl=en">the autumn wind is a pirate</a>; the Bosphorus incarnation chilled my extremities to the point where I just wanted to get off that bridge as soon as I could.<br /><br />The rest of the race took us through the main boulevards of central Istanbul, causing traffic snafus throughout the day. The organizers didn't provide mile or kilometre markers; we just had to pace ourselves by feel. Wary of my fitness level, I started conservatively, taking it up at the 35 minute mark, then with approximately 3 miles to go, I felt good enough that I opened up the throttle and started to really move. Unofficially, I finished at a 7:15 /mile pace, which wasn't bad considering my lack of training. I know from past results that given proper training I should probably be under the 7:00 mark for such a distance, so there's added incentive for next year.<br /><br />It was pretty interesting to participate in an athletic event in a city which views such pursuits with a mixture of insouciant disdain and downright hostility. My cabdriver, for example, was aghast that I would actually pay 30 Lira (~$20) to run 15 km. Just another instance of how human beings often look at others' behaviour with ill-disguised astonishment. By the same token, I couldn't for the life of me understand how he, in his chosen profession, could not have known that many of the city's major arteries would be closed for most of the day. I mean, they've been doing this every year for decades. Don't they have newspapers or television in his world?<br /><br />All in all, a fun day.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1162754245918875832006-11-05T21:10:00.000+02:002006-11-05T21:17:25.950+02:00Regular Service ResumingApologies for the prolonged absence; I had been busy with work, then with travel. But as a result, I have a couple of (hopefully good) stories I shall be posting over the next few days.<br /><br />Until then, here's <a href="http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2006/11/a_simple_theory.html" target="blank">a theory of the factors which lead to certain areas having an abundance of attractive women</a> (courtesy of Tyler Cowen). <a href="http://havetowelwilltravel.blogspot.com">Ace</a> and I have spent countless years carefully studying this phenomenon, and I'm glad someone has at least proffered a reasonable hypothesis.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1160665648027536532006-10-12T17:36:00.000+03:002006-11-05T22:46:11.633+02:00The Swedes Get It Wrong, AgainA couple of months ago, on a lazy Sunday, I was reading quietly at my local cafe, which is partly-owned by one of my friends. The only reason I bring this up is because I'm reasonably sure <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orhan_Pamuk">Orhan Pamuk</a> was sitting a few tables down, and now he seems to be <a href="http://tinyurl.com/y29kez">in the news</a>.<br /><br />This decision seems to be a political one by the Swedish Academy, fitting with a well-established pattern of picking <span style="font-style: italic;">radical chic</span> politics over literary merit (cf. Pinter, Harold). I have only read bits and pieces of his latest Istanbul book, but I'm reliably informed that he's not even the best Turkish writer, let alone a world-class wordsmith in the Nobel league.<br /><br />Mr. Pamuk is receiving this prize because he was threatened with jail time by certain Turkish factions who have ostensibly taken offence to some of his public statements. In reality, these nationalists, represented by the clown-attorney Kemal Kerincsiz, are trying their best to make Turkey look stupid and backward on the international stage, in order to scupper Turkey's bid to join the European Union. Mr. Kerincsiz has used time-honoured courtroom tactics such as throwing eggs, taking off his shirt, and screaming until he foams at the mouth. And, due in part to these antics, Mr. Pamuk is now the recipient of a prize which has, over the years, been severely cheapened by the Academy's whorish preference of politics over art. From Sweden to Anatolia, this episode reeks of low farce.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com118tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1158420190952019722006-09-16T18:17:00.000+03:002006-09-17T02:37:01.063+03:00HELLOOOOO SLOVEEEEEENIA!“5. . . 4. . . 3. . . 2. . .1!” The emcee pointed me, and I turned to the crowd of several hundred Slovenians. And then, as God is my witness, I started rapping.<br /><br />I don’t know how I get myself into these situations. <a href="http://istanbulsunset.blogspot.com/2006/09/metablog-on-narrative.html">I don’t plan them.</a> I put it to the fact that I am physically non-threatening and temperamentally curious, actively seeking out novel experiences. My buddy Ace is the same way. And that’s how we get ourselves in ridiculous situations when we travel.<br /><br />I arrived in Ljubljana yesterday, had a pre-dinner cocktail to kill some time, then sat for a nice steak with truffle sauce.<br /><br />“Would you like it English, medium or well done?” asked the friendly waiter.<br /><br />English? I hadn’t heard of this before. In France, if they think you’re English, they burn your steak to a crisp.<br /><br />“’English’ means it is very bloody, sir. <span style="font-style:italic;">Very </span>bloody,” he stressed. I nodded, approvingly. This is a cool town.<br /><br />After dinner, I was walking through town, by the serene, beautiful river, when I heard a commotion off to my left in the main square. It turns out that the best rapper in Slovenia was putting on an outdoor show, and as you all know, I am a fan of the music they call hip hop.<br /><br />In Slovenia, my dark skin signals “visitor”. This is what probably prompted a friendly fellow to strike up a conversation and invite me for a beer with his buddies. Turns out my new friends were self-described “football hooligans” who were hanging out, maybe a dozen guys and girls, enjoying the music and drinking beers. At one point, a local candidate for mayor showed up, nattily dressed in a sports coat, and one of my buddies, the tall, crazy one, tried to persuade him to have a drink.<br /><br />As the evening went on, the excellent music show came to a finish, when presently The Tall, Crazy One turned and explained “there’s a rapping contest where you can win 10,000 Euros!” I was intrigued. Now, the contest was just starting, with the contestants lined up at the back of the stage, patiently waiting their turns. The whole show was being managed and organized efficiently by a couple of decent-looking production assistants.<br /><br />I followed The Tall, Crazy One through the crowd, until we were confronted by a burly security guard. My buddy yelled a few words at him, then pushed past. I followed. As we approached the stage, I observed, as I have described, the well-organized system and I realized that we were a bit late for the contest and should properly wait at the back of the stage.<br /><br />Instead, The Tall, Crazy One walked right up to the front of the stage and hoisted himself up. The crowd loved it. Of course, I followed. Pandemonium. Consternation. Naturally, I started raising my hands up in the air, striking <a href="http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00006HCW6.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg">Run-DMC poses</a>, throwing up gang signs. They went wild. The Tall, Crazy One and I had made that stage our own. Understand that I was wearing gap jeans, a thin cashmere sweater over a pink Lacoste shirt, and a hooded mountaineering jacket I had bought in Katmandu. In short, I looked nothing like a rapper.<br /><br />The quick-thinking emcee knew a good thing when he saw one. He handed me a mic and started counting down from five. When he reached one, I momentarily froze, realizing that I was now expeccted to rap. Then I remembered my Snoop, my Too Short – my West Coast roots. And I pulled my hooded jacket off my shoulders, raised the mic to my lips and yelled “Hellooo Sloveeeeenia!” Then - I swear this is true - I began rapping.<br /><br />I wasn’t very good. Had I had even 10 minutes of preparation, I would have been much better. But considering the circumstances, I believe I acquitted myself rather competently. The Tall, Crazy One couldn’t believe what I had just done; he was rendered speechless. And now, on my resume, in the “Other Accomplishments” section, underneath “Speaking Role, 2002 Team Canada Road To Gold DVD”, I shall add “Popular Slovenian Hip-Hop Artist”.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1158419770656740382006-09-16T18:12:00.000+03:002006-11-05T22:45:49.400+02:00MetaBlog: On Narrative<a href="http://fishinginabucket.blogspot.com">J</a>, probably because she is a writer, believes that people live their lives according to a set narrative; she thinks that one chooses one’s personal path with the view that it will make a good story later. She elaborates: “You and Ace are always getting up to ridiculous adventures, which you did for the story!” <br /><br />I disagree.<br /><br />I hold the view that life is influenced by random, contingent variables. My own decision-making disregards narrative: it is based on estimating probabilities, payoffs, expected values and opportunity costs. (It is also based on clearly defining what you know, what you don’t know, and being aware that often you don’t know what you don’t know, <a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2081042/">as Rummy likes to say</a>). Narrative is constructed after the fact by the pattern-recognition architecture in our brains. I bring this up because I departed to Ljubljana for the weekend, alone, without any clue as to what I would do once I got there. I trusted in providence that I would fall into my usual hijinks and shenanigans. And I did.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com119tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1158236705497304862006-09-14T15:22:00.000+03:002006-09-14T15:25:05.510+03:00Quote of the week"I've always believed that the human being only responds to one thing and that's pressure. Some respond favorably and others respond negatively."<br /><br />- Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells<br /><br /><br />OK, I know that last weeks pick didn't exactly work out as planned; that's why they call it gambling. Stick with me through the season and then we shall evaluate the results.<br /><br />I am off to Ljubljana, Slovenia for the weekend, in order to i) fulfill my obligation to leave Turkey every 90 days and ii) drink good beer. Also, I'm reliably informed that the women there are rather attractive.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1157803290143654462006-09-09T14:54:00.000+03:002006-09-09T15:29:25.716+03:00Buying Beer the Turkish Way<div align="left">Yesterday, my new landlady came over to help with my DSL installation. As is the Turkish way, there were complications regarding the line, requiring one phone company worker to go get another worker so that they may gossip with each other about their respective wives.<br /><br />Therefore, we (my landlady, another fellow who is either the property manager or her brother, and I) were left with a little downtime. Neither of them speak English, so the conversation was somewhat moribund. Presently, she turned to me and asked "will you drink a beer, Sunset?" Well, you know me well enough to know the answer.<br /><br />I wasn't prepared for the following scenario:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><u>Buying Beer The Turkish Way</u><br />(A drama in one act)<br /></div><br />LANDLADY [opens window, yells, stage-right]: Bakkal!<br /><br />[A<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><em>Bakkal</em> is a convenience store.]<br /><br />APU [From street 4 stories below, poking his head out of nearby convenience store]: Yes madam?<br /><br />[The fellow's name is not actually, "Apu"; I merely name him thusly out of habit. He is, in all probability, either a Mehmet or a Murat. Years ago, in Canada, when Ace and I would attempt to inviegle our way into parties to which we hadn't been invited, we would invariably say "I know Dave", or, failing that, "Mike". In Istanbul, under similar circumstances, one typically says "I know Mehmet", or, failing that, "Murat".]<br /><br />LANDLADY: "Three cold beers please."<br /><br />[LANDLADY then engages in the following bit of business: with the aid of a stout twine cord, she lowers a basket, containing 10 Lira, to the street below. APU removes the note, replaces it with a plastic bag containing three half-litre bottles of beer, and the resulting change from the transaction. LANDLADY then begins to gingerly reel the basket up 4 stories, taking care not to upset the precious cargo.]<br /><br />And they all live happily ever after.<br /><br />THE END<br /><br /></div><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2073/1632/640/IMGP1090.jpg"><img style="display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2073/1632/320/IMGP1090.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The basket, laden with cold ones</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2073/1632/640/IMGP1091.jpg"><img style="display: block; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2073/1632/320/IMGP1091.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">That was thirsty work!</span></span>Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21604757.post-1157712268310184402006-09-08T13:38:00.000+03:002006-09-08T13:44:28.326+03:00Lock of the weekInternet gambling is of course illegal in the United States, and is proscribed by the Abrahamic religions. But those of you who are hindus, buddhists or pagans and residents of Nevada or ROTW might want to consider the following:<br /><br />Tease the Pats (-3) at home versus the Bills with the Eagles (+0.5) on the road against the Texans. I think the spread may have moved a point against the Pats, but they should still beat out the bills comfortably. Also, if you are confident that the Giants are pretenders, add the Colts +2.5 for the 3-team teaser.<br /><br />Consider this my gift to you for the new season. <br /><br />What other weblog provides insight into economics, evolutionary biology, sports wagering and hip hop? I didn't think so.Sunset Shazzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13210148841577062169noreply@blogger.com0