[Development] Focusing on Metrics and Not People

by | Oct 31, 2009 | English

Whew. I just published the third and final part of my “New Era of Media Development” series over at Idea Lab. I’m glad to have that out of the way. I know I’ve been whining quite a bit lately about the funding community, but that’s...
The Guilt Economy

The Guilt Economy

by | Jun 14, 2007 | English

A few nights ago Mari and I arrived home when we usually arrive home: late. It was another 10-hour work day, the fourth in a row. And on the answering machine there was a flashing number. It was a one. It was my grandmother. ‘Hi David and Marisa …...

Market Efficiency and the Gas Tax

by | Apr 25, 2006 | Economics, English, Politics

Gas prices seem to be a big issue in the USofA these days. Of course, gas prices in Europe and elsewhere have been far higher than in the US for decades — and they only get a litre! In spite of this, many pundits are speculating that the price we pay for gas...

Pitching Outside the Strike Zone, Part III

by | Jul 11, 2005 | Economics, English, Muse, Politics

The last time I read El Norte, I suppose I was somewhat suprised to skim over a graph that listed Mexico as the 10th wealthiest nation in the world; well ahead of most European countries. But not that surprised. The problem is, we’re accustomed to measuring wealth by metrics like minimum wage ($4 a day in Mexico, $7 an hour in California) and property value., But, if you were to measure something like purchase of $40,000+ cars per capita, I bet you’d be surprised. In fact, per capita, I’d be willing to bet that Mexico would “win out.”