Piracy and Economic Localization

Piracy is on the rise (see here, here and here for more.) Not only do these attacks capture the imagination, they also offer an opportunity for some Tom Friedman-esque analysis. As one might expect, shipping insurance is more expensive these days. Shippers are even hiring security consultants, and I doubt it will take long for some companies to start adding professional muscle to vessels traveling certain routes. Obviously, all this requires substantial investment, and, as is always the case, these costs are passed along to the consumer.

Here's the other angle: that broccoli that was grown in the county next door, it's not getting hijacked by pirates on the way to the local farmer's market.

Eating local has plenty of environmental, economic and health-related benefits. I say we add diminished risk of pirate attack to the list. Plus, looks like the price gap between mass-produced food and the local stuff just narrowed.

Attack Shark

This is as depressing as it is poetic. I am thinking about Vonnegut:

When the last living thing
has died on account of us,
how poetical it would be
if Earth could say,
in a voice floating up
perhaps
from the floor
of the Grand Canyon,
“It is done.”
People did not like it here

While I disagree with the last sentiment, I think the first few lines are brilliant. Granted, poetry was not Vonnegut's strong suit.

Reality Check

Taking a broad view, things really aren't that bad after all. Of course, these guys still look like idiots.

North Korea's Failed Test

Everything I've read about North Korea indicates that it's years away from being able to detonate a nuclear weapon in the Western Hemisphere. Therefore, I wasn't all that tuned into its recent missile test. However, as a friend points out, I'm ignoring the bigger picture: the real fear is a North Korean/Iranian alliance.

With North Korea supplying the rocket and Iran supplying the payload, North Korea's test launch seems much, well, scarier. Fortunately, it was a failure.

In context, Obama's recent European tour is all the more encouraging, as the long-absent pragmatism he championed on the campaign trail seems to be making a comeback. Let's hope this is just the beginning, and that Wall Street is next on his agenda.

For the record, I predict that the President's speech in Prague will come to be regarded as a seminal piece of American foreign policy.

How Stereotypes Happen

As painful as it is, I still can't tear myself away from this vid.

See You Yesterday

The Diomede Islands epitomize the limitations and inherent paradoxes of modern life and science. The two islands are about two kilometers apart from one another, yet straddle the international dateline. Therefore, it takes a day to get from one isle to the other. You have to love that.

(thanks Sasha)

Drama at CTIA

Billy Crystal faked an injury to get out of CTIA. Brilliant. If only I'd thought of that.

As an afterthought, for how long has Leno been Crystal's understudy?