Album View

Jacob is right: If nothing else, the album cover view in iTunes 7 sure is unique.

Interviews

A recent conversation with Graham Allison on nuclear proliferation and Iran.

Another chat, this time with Milton Friedman.

Globalization's Discontent

On a lazy Sunday in Florida, a perhaps surprising review in the New York Times of Joseph Stiglitz's new book, Making Globalization Work:

If a prize in politics were awarded for self-righteousness, Joseph E. Stiglitz, despite stiff competition, might be near the top of the list.

Rough start. The author, Stephen Kotkin, continues:

Stiglitz spotlights Ukraine's 3,300 percent inflation, neglecting to add that Ukraine had even more fitful liberalization and limited privatization [than Russia], just as he advocates. Arguing that liberalization is right, but that it must be done slowly, he fails to note that for most states, Russia and Ukraine included, rapid neoliberal reform is beyond their capacity. But never mind. The talking point that neoliberalism wrecked Russia is too valuable to yield to facts.

Tending to agree with Dr. Kotkin's view over that espoused by Dr. Stiglitz, but respectful of the latter's work, I purchased the book. We shall see.

For Kelli: I Killed and Skinned a Cheetah

In the same paper, same day, same page even, the always enjoyable Ben Stein—polymath extraordinaire: writer, actor, lawyer, economist, game show host—on the subject of fiduciary conflict of interest in management buyouts. Might sound dry, but Stein is good at what he does.