A Reporter at Large: Brain Gain: newyorker.com

Ok, I finally remembered the last now memorable New Yorker article that I've recently read (maybe I do need a neuro enhancer!). This one is a bit disturbing. It's about the increasing usage of neuro enhancing drugs, something like speed, that allow people to stay awake longer and be more productive. It's one thing to occasionally take these drugs when cramming for exams or meeting work deadlines, but it's another thing when people talk about and businesses plan for the use of neuro enhancers to be a lifestyle choice, and that is what this article examines. Very disturbingly, the author at the end doesn't see a problem with it. Hello??? Long term health effects!!! I certainly hope that these drugs don't become a wave of the future. We'll all regret it.

A Reporter at Large: Brain Gain: newyorker.com

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A Reporter at Large: The Sixth Extinction?: newyorker.com

The most significant article that I read recently was by Elizabeth Kolbert. Kolbert has been writing about climate change for the past several years. This article is about the extinction of species, man's likely role in them, and about the disappearance in areas of certain frog and bat species. It is another somewhat depressing but definitely sobering article by Kolbert.

A Reporter at Large: The Sixth Extinction?: newyorker.com

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Annals of Business: Not Quite Cricket: newyorker.com

Another good and somewhat entertaining article about the financier (Sir) Allen Stanford who is under federal investigation for defrauding people of billions. A native of Mexia, Texas, Stanford made a name (and a knighthood) for himself on the island of Antigua by establishing himself in the islands banking system and also for being a big promoter of cricket. Tidbits in the of his past indicate that he's not been all he says he's been (e.g. college football player, related to Stanford University's namesake Leland Stanford).

Annals of Business: Not Quite Cricket: newyorker.com

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Annals of Law: No More Mr. Nice Guy: newyorker.com

One of some good articles in The New Yorker that I've recently read. This one is about Chief Justice John Roberts being more conservative and combative, particularly about race, than he had appeared during his initial nomination publicity and confirmation hearing. No surprise, duh!

Annals of Law: No More Mr. Nice Guy: newyorker.com

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Wall Street and the Third World: vanityfair.com

A good article by Joseph Stiglitz about the damage that has been done by the current economic crisis to the idea of market forces. America has prescribed tough medicine (spending cutbacks, no bailouts) for other parts of the world when they have faced economic crises, but then it does the opposite when facing its own crisis. The ideas of the West in regards to global economics have been under suspicion in the developing world, because the ideas seem to benefit primarily the West and not all the world.

Wall Street and the Third World: vanityfair.com

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