Take the time to read this behemoth out of the NYT magazine. Its an interesting (albeit anecdotal) perspective on trying to transform China from an industrial to a consumer-driven society. An interesting observation that this is where several economies have gotten stuck before (Japan, Russia).
via Ritholtz
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Origins of 'OK'
From the Freakonomics Blog:
The phrase “OK” is everywhere, but where did it get its start? A new booktackles its history, and NPR interviews the author, Allan Metcalf. The phrase originated with a few newspaper editors in 1839. “They had a lot of abbreviations that they were using and made up on the spot and thought they were terrifically funny,” says Metcalf. “And OK was an abbreviation for ‘All Correct.’” The phrase gathered momentum during the 1840 re-election campaign of Martin Van Buren. “He got the nickname Old Kinderhook, and early in 1840, OK clubs sprung up with the slogan, ‘OK is OK.’ So taking that funny little word and making it a mainstay of the political conversation in 1840, suddenly OK was way OK.” All right then.
The phrase “OK” is everywhere, but where did it get its start? A new booktackles its history, and NPR interviews the author, Allan Metcalf. The phrase originated with a few newspaper editors in 1839. “They had a lot of abbreviations that they were using and made up on the spot and thought they were terrifically funny,” says Metcalf. “And OK was an abbreviation for ‘All Correct.’” The phrase gathered momentum during the 1840 re-election campaign of Martin Van Buren. “He got the nickname Old Kinderhook, and early in 1840, OK clubs sprung up with the slogan, ‘OK is OK.’ So taking that funny little word and making it a mainstay of the political conversation in 1840, suddenly OK was way OK.” All right then.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Weekend Update: Turkey Feast
Unfortunately, the limeys don't celebrate our pillaging of North America like we do back in the states, so that left me in the office for all of last week. On the bright side, I get the bragging rights of having been a producer on Thankgiving (I'm clearly searching for the silver lining, cut me a break).
On Friday, however, I was invited to a friend's house where he and his wife cooked up a Thanksgiving feast worthy of anything back in the states. Three heaping plates of tryptophan-goodness later and I was happy. One guest mentioned he had never seen one person eat so much in his entire life. Full of good food, bourbon AND the center of attention? Brad = happy. Definitely missed the family and friends at home, but this was certainly a great substitute.
Friday night (after the feeding frenzy) we went to a friend's housewarming party, met some cool folks and stayed out late. My food coma would not be denied forever and I eventually made it home to collapse. Saturday and Sunday were fairly typical: gym, college football, borough market and church.
LSU-Arkansas was a highly entertaining football game AND Wake beat the venerated Commodore-mats of Vanderbilt. Not exactly bowl-bound, but I'll take the W. Nothing made me happier than Nevada beating Boise State though. I sent at least 4 people text messages that read only: NEVADA!!!!! Anyone else getting excited for Auburn-Oregon?
Friday, November 26, 2010
Axis of Awesome: 4 chord song
I have no musical ability whatsoever, but this is just cool. Watch the video below. For even more info, click over to the Big Picture
Thursday, November 25, 2010
AbradAbroad Radio: String Cheese Incident
I am getting further and further down the rabbit hole on this jam band stuff. Check out 'Sometimes a River'by String Cheese Incident and tell me that you aren't rocking out a little.
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