The Thirsty Scholar

Best of the Web

ilyag — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 23:00:25 +0000

Winners of the Webware 100 awards

What are the best 100 Web 2.0 sites and services? We don’t know. But you do.

Wendy’s Possible Sale is No Surprise to Me

ilyag — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 22:38:13 +0000

The WSJ reports that Wendy’s, the fast food chain recognized for lovable Dave, the mysterious Wendy, and it’s 99-cent menu, is considering a sale.

I am by no means a qualified business analyst, but as soon as Wendy’s came out with vanilla frosties, I knew something bad was going to happen.

Wendy’s business looks softer than a soggy hamburger bun at the moment

Wendy’s Cuts 2007 Outlook, Pursues a Possible Sale – WSJ.com

South Africa 2010

ilyag — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 22:25:48 +0000

For all those optimistic, skeptical, or just curious whether South Africa will be ready for the 2010 World Cup, the South African government has unveiled a web site www.sa2010.gov.za, which aims to provide information on government’s preparations for the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup.

allAfrica.com: South Africa: Govt Unveils Its 2010 Website (Page 1 of 1)

What America’s Three Biggest Cities are Doing to Reduce Crime

ilyag — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 18:42:54 +0000

In the U.S., crime as a whole is increasing, but not in the three biggest cities: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York. The article argues the major reason for this is the use of a relatively new police tactic using crime maps and putting local commanders in charge of assigned areas, also referred to as “putting cops on the dots.”

Another interesting piece of information is that three cities are experiencing a decrease in their younger populations and displacement of poor Americans by poor immigrants. Older people and immigrants of equal economic status as Americans are less likely to commit crimes.

Crime | New model police | Economist.com

Are Organized Youth Sports Bad?

ilyag — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 13:41:03 +0000

In this NYT article about school fitness programs Stephen J. Virgilio, chairman of the health and physical education department at Adelphi University, states that children are physically unfit partly to

the influence of too much organized sports — when the kids drop out of organized sports, they don’t know how to play. They just stop.

I find the statement interesting. What is too much and how does one teach healthy exercise habits outside of sport? I hope that educators and parents start asking some questions.

When Second Graders Run Wild, With Federal Approval – New York Times

Experts urge mass circumcision for Aids-hit SA

ilyag — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:40:02 +0000

Aids experts have called for a mass circumcision programme in South Africa, condemning a “deafening silence” from policy makers since studies revealed it sharply cut infection rates.

Despite the World Health Organization’s recommending the procedure that some studies show reduces chances of contracting HIV by 60% and action by countries such as Kenya, Malawi, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Tanzania, the South African government has taken no action in addressing circumcision practices.

Experts urge mass circumcision for Aids-hit SA : Mail & Guardian Online

Commencement Speeches

ilyag — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 14:24:27 +0000

It’s that season again – time for college seniors to gather for one final lecture. This spring, graduation speakers touched on the need for respect, the joy of collaboration, and the importance of honoring those who couldn’t join them because of deployments to faraway lands.

The article offers samples of speeches from The Edge, Naomi Tutu, Marlee Martin, Bill Clinton, Julian Bond, Tom Brokaw, Nancy Pelosi, Michael Bloomber, and Katie Couric.

To the Class of 2007: ‘Listen to your hearts’ | csmonitor.com

Rap Used as a Means to Progress… At Least in France

ilyag — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 13:30:32 +0000

A white, female rapper is galvonizing France’s disenfranchised youth to be proud of both their immigrant culture and being French while also challenging them to strive for progress and become politically engaged.

“The France of the baguette and the beret is not my France,” Diam’s, 26, said in a recent interview in a Right Bank café. “I don’t relate to that France. It doesn’t mean anything to me. I like to eat kebabs. I wear hoods.”

Rapper with attitude updates ‘Frenchness’ – International Herald Tribune

America’s Best- And Worst-Paying Jobs

ilyag — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 18:03:27 +0000

I know it’s that time of year that recent grads are looking for jobs, or jobs to avoid.

Probably, this article will reaffirm that you should have followed your parents advice and become a doctor.

America’s Best- And Worst-Paying Jobs – Forbes.com

Free Time v. Economic Power: The Battle Continues

ilyag — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 18:44:22 +0000

FINNS enjoy more paid statutory holiday every year than anyone else in the rich world, getting an average of 44 days off in which to relax (including annual leave and public holidays). Most European countries allow more than the EU legal minimum of four weeks. Even Britain, the most slave-driving, has an additional eight public holidays. And it’s not just Europeans who laze about; Cubans get 36 days off. By contrast, Japanese employees get 18 days off a year. But American workers have perhaps the most to feel aggrieved about: theirs is the only rich-world country that does not give any statutory paid holiday. (In practice, most workers get around 14 days off.) All work and little play does provide some consolation, however—America and Japan are the world’s biggest economies.

Holiday | Taking a break | Economist.com