Econ 101

I can recall one thing, and one thing only, I learned from my economics courses at Tulane University--never, ever forget the opportunity costs. This mantra is based on the principle that money spent on X is unavailable for Y. What we spend on education can't be used for health care, etc. There's always a trade off, so you must know your values.

Economics is hard for a lot of us to understand, so I am appreciative when someone simplifies the matter for easier understanding. As I was perusing the Wall Street Journal online today, I came across this article on why the stimulus package won't work. I can't vouch for the accuracy of the analysis, but the article certainly is clarifying. Check it out here.

Gladwell, Butcher

Some time ago, Alan put me onto Malcolm Gladwell who wrote Tipping Point and Blink. The first book is about marketing and the phenomenon of products that reach a "tipping point" when they just take off. The second, Blink, is about the phenomenon of "rapid cognition" whereby we sometimes make very accurate judgments based on very little data because we have observed a pattern that we recognize in an instant, in the "blink of an eye." I have read Blink more than once because it is highly entertaining and the anecdotes are fascinating. And I have convinced others to read the book.

While snooping around the Internet today, I learned that Gladwell has written a new book called Outliers. In this book Gladwell asserts that you cannot use "rapid cognition" to discover why super performers (called Outliers), like Bill Gates or Tiger Woods, are so successful because there is no real predictable pattern to success. He argues that most success stories derive as much from luck, circumstance, opportunity and timing as the talent of the individual. I tend to agree with this assessment. I look forward to reading the book.

I also ran across a blog that Gladwell maintains which had a very interesting post about inventive ideas. If you like Gladwell, you will find this post well worth the time.

BTW, Cathy found out that Jim Butcher's newest Dresden Files will be out in April 09--Turncoat. This will be the 11th book in the series. Here's a plot summary:

"When Morgan shows up on Harry's doorstep, broken, bleeding, and begging for protection from the Wardens, Harry finds himself at odds with the White Council yet again.

The Warden Morgan has been accused of treason against the Wizards of the White Council—and there's only one, final punishment for that crime. He's on the run, wants his name cleared, and needs someone with a knack for backing the underdog. Someone like Harry Dresden.

Now, Harry must uncover a traitor within the Council, keep a less-than-agreeable Morgan under wraps, and avoid coming under scrutiny himself. And a single mistake may cost someone his head—someone like Harry."

Happy reading!

Boycotts

I understand that the gay community is boycotting our temples and ward buildings in retaliation for the church members' work in support of California's Prop 8 defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Well, after the election, Cathy and I were so disgusted with the blatant media bias in the press, we decided on a boycott of our own.

Yesterday I called the Seattle Times to cancel our subscription. The newspaper representative asked why I was cancelling. I responded: "The paper is too bias." She asked if I wanted to try the Seattle Post Intelligencer instead. I laughed and said, "No. We just switched from the PI to the Times for the same reason--bias."

For years, I have used Yahoo! for my home page. But this election revealed just how bias that source is too. I have switched from Yahoo! to Google News as my home page. The Google News page usually cites several different sources for its news stories so I find it relatively balanced. Unfortunately, iGoogle news stories are no better than Yahoo!.

In any event, I am looking for other options. Preferably, news based. Any suggestions? I am tired of one sided coverage.

Love

Perhaps it's old age or just a response to the 24/7 nastiness we had to endure these past months, but I find myself becoming more and more sentimental. A week or two ago we had the primary program in sacrament meeting. This is always a tearful experience for me because the kids are so beautiful. But what really hit me was an interchange I saw between one of the adult primary teachers and her husband as their daughter stood at the podium to do her part of the program. While the little girl read her scripture, the teacher kept looking at her husband in the pew. Both were smiling as only a proud parent can smile. But it was the obvious love they had for each other that moved me to tears. I reflected on the fact that nothing in this world is more important than relationships. We are so blessed to have our hope in Christ with the promise of eternal families.

Friday I had to go to Redmond Oregon to give a speech. For convenience, I decided to take the early morning shuttle from Oak Harbor to Seattle. On the way, the shuttle stopped and picked up an elderly woman who was traveling alone. I watched as she and her husband got out of the car and walked to the trunk to retrieve her luggage. Once she had her bags, they leaned in close to one another for a kiss, then a long hug. Before parting, I saw this woman place her hand on her husband's cheek and smile. When she was seated in the shuttle she looked out the window to where her husband still stood, watching her. Before reentering the car, he blew her a kiss. It was a tender moment. Once again I found myself reflecting on the significance of relationships.

When Alan and Kristina were dating, I happened to be watching them talking on our patio at our Davis home. I was approaching the patio door and could see them through the glass. Just as I reached the door, I saw Alan reach out and push a strand of Kristina's hair out of her eyes that the wind had blown askew. It was done without conscious thought, but it was an intimate and caring gesture. I thought, "That is a man in love." I had to turn away for the tears in my eyes.

I have seen the same tenderness between Anna and Jonathan in unguarded moments and it warms my heart.

Cathy and I have been married for more than 33 years. Hardly a day has gone bye that we haven't said, "I love you," to each other. Whenever I see her unexpectedly, such as in a chance meeting at the store or elsewhere, my tummy still gets butterflies. Just the thought of being with her forever makes me misty eyed. The love I feel for our children and grandchildren is just as intense.

I can't help but think that those who have learned that to love and to be loved is the most important thing in the world have really found the pearl of great price.