The internet was abuzz this morning with the social chatter of another Southside riot instigated by activists upset with the University. What started as a dance party became a destructive and violent mob that clashed with the police. The news story from the Daily Cal can be found here. I’m going to focus my attention on a brief from the blog “occupy california.” Let’s see what the author of “occupy california,” presumably someone who participated in last nights events, has to say.
The dance party continued to move past Bancroft, down Telegraph as more people joined the march and joined the destruction of capital. Now the windows of fast food chains smashed, the party settled in the intersection of Durant and Telegraph.
Hold up. Beyond the poor grammar lies a disgusting neglect for peoples’ property. I have no problem with rioters destroying their own capital. But anyone who breaks a window should have to compensate the window owner for the replacement cost plus pay a fine. There’s nothing ethical about breaking windows on Telegraph. Read More
I’m proposing a $100 (current USD) bet for anyone to take. In 40 years, a supermajority of households in the United States with a television set will have a 3D high definition tv in their homes.
More on Ideas
A successful implementation of an idea in a particular time and circumstance may not produce the same results elsewhere. This recognition of the indispensable role of local knowledge is critical to understanding why top down solutions are dangerous. When an unsuccessful top down solution is forced upon a people through government, the accountability feedback mechanism does not function well. Instead of trying something else, politicians save face and ask for more funding.
A classic example of a government top down action that had horrible consequences is Chairman Mao’s furnace mandate as part of the Great Leap Forward. From Wikipedia:
If an entrepreneur tried a backyard furnace and failed it would not be a big deal. Innovators are constantly experimenting and trying to figure out ways to create value for other people. A positive profit means the entrepreneur is creating more benefits than the costs he is incurring. The profits signal to other individuals that they should consider doing something similar. No profits, and the business venture isn’t worth it. Read More »