When the Algorithm Rules

Funny runaway book valuation on Amazon demonstrates
when the algorithm rules.

Weird Amazon Pricing Explained

Stop Slipping

The cliche "slippery slope" argument is a slide into never solving sticky issues.

The In Crowd Insists We Like Their Play List

http://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/nov/28/alex-ross-modern-classical-music

Mister Ross is always a thorough and surprising scholar who is also flat out fun to read. Every time I read Ross, I never know how much is his schtick and what is sincere. No one needs to announce listening to Coltrane's Ascension while eating breakfast to have creed (but that happened in an Orange County rag decades ago). They insist we must also like.

I either like it or I don't. And that is a LOT of music in the like column. But I am not paid to "work" for music. Be that as it may, I listen to a lot of Bartok, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Varese ... some modern is fun, much is not.

It's culturally bigoted to insist that we must like 20th century -- or any period of western music. I bet a lot of people digging on Varese and later era composers are haters on the Late Romantic period. "Too thick, too syrupy" they would complain. Then don't listen. My Dad is not insisting, but he loves it to no end.

Interpretations Swing the Unemployment Rates

Inside Washington expert David Stockman sees a crisis of high unemployment mid-2015 while the official line is that we are nearly "full" employment.

http://davidstockmanscontracorner.com/the-warren-buffett-economy-why-its-days-are-numbered-part-4/

Interesting Times

From Econ. Greece may be first domino in next Global Recession scenario. USA is unable to fix it all, but the Nuclear & Tech Arms Race Redux will keep us in jobs; a three way, no less, with China joining the Eagle and Bear for the Having the Most Big Things Contest (hope never get applied).

To Cold War II. Notably, China has an aggressive manned LEO program, including space station, and a real shot at a lunar play. All that spells not only the rocketry and space travel capabilities, but also advanced knowledge of telecommunications, long range operational coordination, and top leadership support to make it so.

Trap of Super Literacy

Previously, I let music analysis and historical literature somewhat drive my tastes in compositional music. I am re-reading The Rest is Noise by Ross. My new approach is to bifurcate the music and all the analysis. Enjoy both. But analysis will never drive my tastes. The Trap of Super Literacy. Where schooled and high-brow aspirations, awe for academy, and a blind loyalty to print, merge macabrely. Trying to be in -- the in crowd.

Yes, We Have No Bananas

The narrative is that globalization and technologization are increasing productivity. I believe it: still high unemployment, but we have steady (if meager) GDP and productivity growth. Business is making more stuff and serving more needs with less labor expenditures.

This is the wrenching period between not only generations but societal paradigms. Part of the American New Normal seems to be a smaller middle class, a younger and bigger upper class, and a permanent under class for most people born to certain geographical regions or income strata. Good time for studies into upward mobility. Feels at times like that has been lost.