That there is a strong correlation makes intuitive sense to me, although I would not have pegged it as the strongest predictor.

Sentences to ponder

Stunningly, the postponement of marriage and parenting — the factors that shrink the birth rate — is the very best predictor of a person’s politics in the United States, over even income and educat.…..

How fascinating. His skepticism notwithstanding, this is a great source for sermon illustrations on David v Goliath.

The Straight Dope: Has an important battle ever been decided by single combat?

Dear Cecil: I’m currently reading Polybius’s Rise of the Roman Empire and stumbled on a quote that begs for elaboration. In book VI, Polybius offhandedly remarks, “Many Romans have volunteered to enga…

This is a very disturbing post. I knew in vague terms that there were disincentives for the poor to earn more money, but this is astonishing. Color me depressed.

Taxes and cliffs

The whole tax debate is supremely frustrating to anyone who survived econ 1. The ill effects of taxation — the “distortions” — depend on the total, marginal rate including transfers. If I earn an ex…

I sometimes teach as an adjunct for the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and I must confess that I hate assigning grades. This essay is a helpful reflection on the noble task of evaluation.

Grading as Truth-Telling | John G. Stackhouse, Jr.

A false balance is an abomination to Yhwh, but an accurate weight is his delight. (Proverbs 11:1). Grading papers is among the most difficult parts, and is certainly the least pleasurable part, of my …