http://www.shrubbloggers.com Justin M. Stoddard and Eric D. Dixon Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:53:16 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en My sister Michelle sent me this email on Friday: I had a dream last night where I was running errands in Ashland and all of a sudden you appeared with sweet concert tickets for that night (I don't recall the group, though). You said I had to hurry and find ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/08/29/the-concert-ticket-fairy/ Working as an intern for the Cato Institute in 1997 was one of the most formative experiences of my life. During that time, I participated with the other interns in a series of lunchtime discussions with Tom Palmer, a Cato senior fellow, director of Cato University, and also now at ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/04/03/countering-the-keynesian/ David Boaz reminds us just how amazing markets are when they're allowed to work: In 1982, Motorola produced the first portable mobile phone. It weighed about 2 pounds and cost $3995. Within a very few years they were much smaller, much cheaper, and selling like hotcakes. Today there are some 4.6 billion ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/03/31/markets-make-everything-better/ I just noticed on Facebook that Bryan Caplan listed as his status message that he's "watching *Frailty* yet again." That reminds me that two and a half years ago, I created a list of my "Top 5 Religious Films" for The Cinematheque's Top 5 Project. I didn't submit my list ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/03/31/metaphysical-movies/ If you've had occasion to listen to the radio for any amount of time recently, you've probably heard the slew of commercials about the ongoing Census. What you'll hear, unfortunately, is not an explanation of the original purpose of the census, but instead a rather inane and commonly incorrect ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/03/29/noncensus/ Tom Palmer's book reviews are more than enough to explain why Cass Sunstein is an extraordinarily sloppy thinker, but bad ideas never die — and Sunstein's bad ideas are plentiful. One of his pet theories, developed with Richard Thaler, is "libertarian paternalism," which posits that central authorities can frame the ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/03/28/the-knowledge-problem-of-new-paternalism/ I honestly could not initially decide whether or not to post this, as I could not determine if it was a hoax or parody (a la The Onion). But the more I thought of it, the more plausible it seemed. Outlaw pot farmers in Calif. fear legalization could actually hurt their ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/03/28/rent-seeking-potheads/ Does cognitive brain function determine your belief in anthropogenic global warming? Or, rather, do your political beliefs determine your cognitive brain function? George Lakoff, professor of Cognitive Science and Linguistics at UC Berkeley would like you to believe so. Over a span of several articles on the subject, Professor Lakoff attempts ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/03/26/environmental-polylogism/ Like I said yesterday, when everybody is responsible for everybody else, the logical outcome is, well, this: Proposal to ban toys in unhealthy kids' meals "One in three kids are overweight or are obese, and we're finding out more and more that if you're obese as a child, you're going to have ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/03/24/we-are-all-children-now/ I wrote earlier this evening about some possible unintended consequences of the newly signed health care legislation. While attending my daughter's orchestral debut, I thought of a few more. -An increase in the Nanny State. I first heard this argument put forth in my Junior year at high school: "Seat ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/03/23/unintended-consequences-ii/ It seems appropriate to start my first entry on this blog with a quote from Henry Hazlitt, author of Economics in One Lesson, which is the inspiration for the name of this new adventure. "The most frequent fallacy by far today, the fallacy that emerges again and again in nearly every ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/03/23/unintended-consequences/ Two and a half years ago (can it really have been that long?) I wrote over at Show-Me Daily about Barry Schwartz's "paradox of choice" theory. An excerpt: Sometimes eliminating choices is a business strategy that makes sense. Some restaurants are getting rid of menus, some supermarkets are paring down the ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/03/12/myrosinase-maximizers/ I know I'm late with this, but when one comes across such blatant idiocy, one must point it out for what it is. There's not much that can be said here that hasn't already been said. Evelyn Mastroianni certainly deserves to have her name linked to this in perpetuity. ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/02/09/prinicipal-idiocy/ My camera and I have a very interesting relationship. There are times when it feels as if it's literally an extension of my body. No, that's not right. There are times when it feels as if it's literally an extension of my entire being. In those ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/01/23/camera-obscura/ H.L. Mencken once said, "A poet more than thirty years old is simply an overgrown child." I'm certainly over thirty years old, but I'm no poet. Though, occasionally I'll jot something down. I wrote this one several years ago and it's still my favorite: Stepping out on the threshold The jostling of bodies The ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/01/16/this-is-just-to-say-an-homage/ I often have counter-intuitive feelings when in large crowds. Rather than feeling boxed-in, it's almost as if the space between me and the mass of humanity scrunched up against me is hyper-amplified. Though we all jostle for space, seeking out a vacuum to fit our bodily forms, brushing ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/01/12/i-am-vast/ As I have a specific film project in mind to kick off this summer, I've been contemplating differing ways to use the video camera to stage a scene. This has proven to be an interesting mental exercise as for three weeks (or so), I'll be a one-man show. ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/01/06/staging-the-scene/ From the book, Diana F+, More True Tales & Short Stories: The Diana loves the little things. It loves breakfast, your dog, your boyfriend or girlfriend, that crazy hat in the window, the unbelievable morning traffic, those gummed up salt shakers, a blazing afternoon sun, your nose when it's ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/01/03/lomography/ I've had this blog since 2003 and have never really thought of it as any more than an outlet for what I may be thinking/feeling at the moment. As I am wont to do, I have engaged in a few abortive attempts at something larger throughout the years (blogging ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2010/01/03/what-did-you-do-today/ Subject: Home! For those of you not on Facebook...I'm home! And none to soon as a winter storm came in last night while I was sleeping. I'll write more later. For now, I have to figure out how to go get some food. :) Merry Christmas, everyone! http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/12/25/dispatches-from-which-till/ Subject: Leaving Kabul Greetings, all!Well, tonight is my last night in Kabul. I'm catching a flight out of here tomorrow. The next challenge is to get from here to Qatar, which could take a couple of days. Once I'm in Qatar, I'll be looking at changing my flight so I can ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/12/21/dispatches-from-afghanistan-37/ Subject: Everything is fine Just so everyone knows, I'm fine. There was an explosion this morning about 1/2 a kilometer away from where I'm stationed. The news is sketchy right now and we're still waiting for info. I'm fine, though I'd rather not have these sorts of events happen so close ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/12/15/dispatches-from-afghanistan-36/ Subject: Quick Update I know I said I'd probably be writing less now that I'm so close to leaving country, but I have found myself with a bit of free time and some ideas on my mind. First, I'm not sure if you are all aware, but all of these letters have ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/12/13/dispatches-from-afghanistan-35/ Subject: Winding Down So, if I go by my calender, I have 12 days left until I leave Kabul. Depending on how long it takes to get a flight out of Afghanistan, I may or may not be home in time for Christmas. Only time will tell. This will probably be my ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/12/09/dispatches-from-afghanistan-34/ I've lost a substantial amount of weight a couple of times in the past. The first time happened after heading back for my second year of college following two years as a missionary in Florida. It involved a lot of walking to and from my off-campus apartment and a purposeful ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/28/incompetent-fitness-blog-item-4/ I love my nephews and nieces to pieces, but can't get over how surreal it is trying to formulate a rational explanation that will convince another person that it's unacceptably gross to pick your nose and eat it. I think I feel some sort of analogue to Bastiat's frustration with the ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/27/what-is-eaten-and-what-is-not-eaten/ Subject: Thanksgiving at Camp Eggers All, MSNBC was here yesterday covering Thanksgiving at Camp Eggers. Here are two clips. Alas! I didn't make the cut, but I was nearby. :) http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/27/dispatches-from-afghanistan-33/ Subject: Happy Thanksgiving! This is just a quick note to all my friends and family. First, I wanted to tell you all how proud I am to have such a great support network...namely, you guys! We made our first delivery to the childcare center yesterday morning. It was ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/26/dispatches-from-afghanistan-32/ Subject: The Most Beautiful... This update really has nothing to do with Afghanistan, but I just came across something I felt I had to share. As most of you know, I'm an aspiring amateur photographer. I make my rounds through the photography blogs, read books, experiment with new ideas, etc... ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/21/dispatches-from-afghanistan-31/ Subject: The Meme, The Seashell, The Blathering... There's a meme* going around on Facebook right now requesting that you pick up your iPod, put it on shuffle and write down the first 15 songs that pop up, regardless of what they are or how embarrassing they may be. I never ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/17/dispatches-from-afghanistan-30/ Subject: Going Native, Part II The closer I get to coming home, the more I blend in... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/15/dispatches-from-afghanistan-29/ Partial Google Talk transcript from Thursday, Nov. 12: 12:04 PMme: a bunch of book club people formed a bar trivia team last night... we were the "Mathletes for Liberty"12:05 PMJ: LOL...sounds like my kind of crowd...though I suck at mathme: no math questions... even so, we only came in thirdme: out ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/14/grumpy-old-men/ Subject: A Quick Note Greetings, all! So, it appears that I've been a bit lax about my updates and keeping up with friends and family as I just got chided by both my mother and my sister for not keeping them up to date. Sorry, mom. This will be a short update. ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/13/dispatches-from-afghanistan-28/ We hadn't had our shiny new blog for long before we, once again, became apathetic about posting new material in it. I know I tend to write less if Justin isn't writing anything, and I suspect it's the same for him if I quit posting. It's easy to fall into ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/08/updating-and-backdating/ I haven't really said anything about gay marriage around these parts. I'm close to many people who hold strong positions on multiple sides of the argument, and nobody's ever asked me to outline my own stance. Maybe they all just presume that I agree with them, or maybe they're apprehensive ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/07/no-one-asked-but-im-telling/ Subject: Going Native http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/06/dispatches-from-afghanistan-27/ Subject: Most current, most awesome update from Afghanistan, yet! I ordered a copy of the Qur'an from Amazon about a month ago and have steadily been making my way through it in my free time. I was struck by the phrase: “…if any one slew a person - unless it be ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/05/dispatches-from-afghanistan-26/ Subject: 30 Days in Afghanistan Some insanely good pictures taken in Afghanistan over the past 30 days. Number 18 is from the car bomb that tarketed the Indian Embassy here on October 8th. That's the one I got a picture of while walking to work. http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/11/03/dispatches-from-afghanistan-25/ Subject: After the run Just wanted to send along a few pictures: We had our Halloween 5k tonight and had a blast! The second picture actually has nothing to do with the run, but this is the room where I've been staying for the past two months, and will be staying for the ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/10/31/dispatches-from-afghanistan-24/ Subject: Happy Halloween from Kabul! As many of you know, Halloween is favorite holiday. Though there will be no Trick or Treating here, I will be running my first 5k tonight. I'll send pictures. :) Happy Halloween! http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/10/30/dispatches-from-afghanistan-23/ Subject: Some Happy Pictures...for a change. :) Good morning, all! Well, after all the chaos I reported yesterday (with the pictures of the explosion/gun fight) and all the bad news that's been coming out, I thought I'd send you some more upbeat photos from here. As many of you know, I'm sponsoring a ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/10/29/dispatches-from-afghanistan-22/ Subject: Follow up - Pictures These pictures were taken right from right outside the door of our office. This was the result of the fire-fight at the U.N. house. http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/10/27/dispatches-from-afghanistan-21/ Subject: Status OK, I've received at least two emails so far, so rather than answering everyone separately, here's what's going on... A U.N. house was attacked directly west of us (about 1/2 a mile away). A running gun battle lasted for about an hour and there were several small explosions (possibly ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/10/27/dispatches-from-afghanistan-20/ Subject: Update from the Stan... Hello, friends and family; I suppose it happens to everyone that deploys but yesterday I just kind of hit an emotional brick wall. I don't know if it's the long hours or what's going on over here, but things just were not "clicking" for me. ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/10/26/dispatches-from-afghanistan-19/ Subject: An Update, of Sorts Hello, everybody! Well, I thought it would be nice to send out an update where-in no explosions or earthquakes or elephant stampedes were involved. I received the first package the other day for the day care center (thanks, Emily!), and I've been told many more are on the ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/10/23/dispatches-from-afghanistan-18/ Subject: And Then, The Earthquake Came So, there I was, sleeping soundly in my bunk...not a care in the world (save the 30 degree temperature, for which I finally donned my pair of uber sweet synthetic long johns...but that's a different story). Around 1am, my bed started to shake and ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/10/22/dispatches-from-afghanistan-17/ Subject: Some interesting info... If anyone is interested, here's an amazing account of the battle that happened north of here about a week ago. As an update to yesterday's email, the car bomb was targeting the Indian Embassy about a mile and a half away from here. In the sense that ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/10/08/dispatches-from-afghanistan-16/ Subject: Everything's fine here You may or may not see this in the news (depending on if you keep up with such things) :P We had another explosion here this morning. This time I was actually off base walking to my office when it happened. From what I've been able ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/10/07/dispatches-from-afghanistan-15/ Subject: Semi-Regular Update Greetings, all! Today I took a trip up to Bala Hissar, an ancient fort overlooking Kabul. The fort is most famous for the slaughter of British Troops there during the Second Afghan War. It has also been used as a Soviet and Talaban strong-hold. This was my first ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/10/05/dispatches-from-afghanistan-14/ Subject: Note to self... I just couldn't resist. I had to have a piece of Afghan bread. Over here they serve a piece of bread (called Nan) with each meal; the meal consisting of mostly rice, potatoes or stewed vegetables. Let me tell you, that bread was d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s! And, ... http://www.shrubbloggers.com/2009/10/02/dispatches-from-afghanistan-13/