Marty Manley on economics, politics, technology, and culture

Archive for November, 2006

Work hard. Be nice.

In today’s New York Times Magazine, Paul Tough summarizes the findings of a lengthy investigation into the theory and practice of charter schools for poor and often black kids. "What it Takes to Make a Student" is an outstanding report that sheds light on one of America’s persistent problems: our schools do not give poor [...]

Give Thanks — and Beware

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and I am celebrating it with family not far from Plymouth Rock this year. I usually send a note out to my colleagues at Thanksgiving. Here is a mildly edited version of this year’s message: I traditionally send out a note each Thanksgiving and share my thoughts on our business [...]

Sony Reader: Nope

Earlier this year, when Jam Side Down was but a sticky idea, I asserted that the time is right for e-books because the social and technological foundation for them was coming together. Specifically digital content is now ubiquitous, digital rights are well established, and hardware keeps getting better. I argued that eBooks should cost about [...]

American Oracle: Milton Friedman

Milton Friedman died today at age 92. Seems like he was just getting started. Friedman was easily one of the dozen most influential thinkers of the 20th century. He was a founding father of modern monetary policy. In his hugely influential magnum opus A Monetary History of the United States, 1867-1960 written with Anna J. [...]

Alien Nation: Another Urban Legend?

OK, you want more friends, more involvement with your community, and more contact with you neighbors. Where are you better off living — in the buzz of the city or out in the socially alienating suburbs? I’m a city guy from the burbs — which are the butt of contemporary sociology. Bob Putnam’s Bowling Alone [...]