Universal Rule

Book Reviews

Wednesday, March 26, 2003

Will Finland be number one in the future? -- Comment()
Finland is currently the best country in the world based on the performance of the innovation system. But how to stay on top? This question is tackled in a new report by the Ministry of Education titled Knowledge, innovation and internalization: 'The Science and Technology Policy Council of Finland, which is chaired by the Prime Minister, adopted its new review "Knowledge, Innovation and Internationalisation" on 12 December. The review examines the development challenges facing science and technology policy in the coming years and outlines relevant policy. Special attention is paid to the rapidly internationalising innovation environment and the ensuing pressures for structural and operational change in Finland.'

-- Comment()
t e c h n o c u l t u r e writes: "Deborah Branscum is producing some of the most incisive and thought-provoking writing on the war and related topics. She's always a good read."

-- Comment()
Geneva convention: "Donald Rumsfeld is outraged because by parading of five US PoWs, Iraq violates article 13 of the Geneva convention. What he prefers not to mention is that with the detention of 641 men in Guantanamo Bay, the USA is in violation of articles 4, 5, 13, 18, 22, 26, 28, 34, 38, 41, 70, 71, 72 and 118 of the same convention, says George Monbiot in The Guardian." [The Aardvark Speaks]

-- Comment()
Steven Wright: "It doesn't make a difference what temperature a room is, it's always room temperature." [Quotes of the Day]

So true. And hits a nerve. My apartment has been without central heating for most of two days, due to repairing the hot water pipes. Last night the temperature outside went to -5°C, and inside temperature was about 15°C. I sure hope they fix the heating today.

A lesson in humility -- Comment()
John Robb points to a lesson of humility: "Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in blood of his followers and sacrifices of his friends. [...] Conceivably a commander may have been professionally superior. He may have given everything of his heart and mind to meet the spiritual and physical needs of his comrades. He may have written a chapter that will glow forever in the pages of military history. Still, even such a man - if he existed - would sadly face the fact that his honors cannot hide in his memories the crosses marking the resting places of the dead. They cannot soothe the anguish of the widow or the orphan whose husband or father will not return. [...] The only attitude in which a commander may with satisfaction receive the tributes of his friends is in the humble acknowledgment that no matter how unworthy he may be, his position is the symbol of great human forces that have labored arduously and successfully for a righteous cause." [John Robb's Radio Weblog]