The Daily Dozen

1. Good politics vs. good economics. The market didn't react well to the announcement of the new bailout plan: "Good politics requires action, constant proof that the politician is working tirelessly. Good economics requires quiet consistency so people can plan for the future. The times we live in are the greatest example in my lifetime of the tension between these two goals."
2. Perception of deadlines more stressful than deadlines?
3. Marvel bringing motion comics to iTunes.
4. Kindle 2 interview with Jeff Bezos.
   
5. Gary Becker and Kevin Murphy on the stimulus package. "It's hard to spend wise and spend fast."
   
6. Vigorous exercise may help prevent vision loss?
   
7. Declutter an entire room in a single sweep.
   
8. Random thoughts on the Amazon Kindle 2.
   
9. The future of the textbook?
   
10. Quick, snap the ball! "The urgency to get this bill passed reminds me of the quarterback who tries to get off a play quickly before the opposing coach can challenge the previous play. What else in this bill needs to be reviewed before we go on?"
11. How to procrastinate productively. Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose?
    
12. Quote of the Day: "The role of the economist in discussions of public policy seems to me to be to prescribe what should be done in light of what can be done, politics aside, and not to predict what is "politically feasible" and then to recommend it." -- Milton Friedman