Saturday, December 14, 2002

Greg points out a nice skyscraper page. A few designs are somewhat bizarre and on wonders how they will fit into the local cityscape. For really interesting designs search on towers. A hunt for ferris wheels is disappointing - only two big ones are shown. The Architectural Record has a fascinating interview with Craig Whitaker about issues associated with building on the WTC site. (thanks again Greg!) 6:17:24 AM     Soon Saturn with be at its closest approach to Earth in thirty years. Saturn is one of those objects that are a litmus test for amateur astronomy. If a novice takes a look at the planet through a small telescope there are generally two responses - if you or your kids are astonished by the sight, it is reasonable to start planning for the telescope. 6:17:07 AM     It is interesting to worry about how Mr Lott came to high position. Krugman speculates that the Republican Party may have some deeper issues than a handful of racist/segregationists. What would the political landscape be like if the Lott storm broke a week before the election? It seems clear that having Lott as a leader could be unfortunate for the Republicans. While the elections are a long way off, judical hearings aren't and the possibility of the news folks investigating Lott's ties with the Council of Conservative Citizens and other extremist groups are the stuff of dreams for Democrats looking for soundbites. A small bit of surfing reveals interesting events that need to be fleshed out and verified. The past election was reasonably close and the country remains split. Bestowing the mantle of racism on the Republicans might be enough to cause a disaster two years out... One can imagine most Republicans running as far as they can from this which might offend enough of the Southen coalition to cause some problems. The only thing that is certain is that politics will be even more interesting if Lott - with his interesting blend of cluelessness, hubris and racism - stays. He could be the largest fundrasier for the Democrats since James Watt et. al. 6:16:43 AM     Are we seeing the end of middle class America? NOW did a piece on the subject last night that is highly recommended. Krugman notes that the large middle class may have been an aberration of the fifties and sixties. The trick is to be born into a wealthy family - the top 13000 families have more wealth than the bottom twenty million. So how well secure is your position in society? What if you loose your job? What if your kid gets cancer? What if the market really crashes? What if a war spurs some real terrorism and the economy crashes? .. Is this harshening of society inevitable? Is it an artifact of the power of corporations vs people (is your work contribution an expendable raw material)? Somehow people seem to take on the burden of risk rather than lowly employees. Will there be an American Dream for you kids? 6:16:22 AM

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