Newsletter 310
[1]People vs Goldman Sachs
Links:
1. http://b.rw/iDDU89
Matt Taibbi | Rolling Stone | 11 May 2011
"A well-connected firm with the ear of the president and the Treasury
appears to have conquered the entire regulatory structure and stands on the
precipice of getting away with one of the biggest financial crimes in
history" [2]Comments
Links:
2. http://thebrowser.com/articles/people-vs-goldman-sachs
[3]Confessions Of A Lexicographer
Links:
3. http://b.rw/kcNFNC
Jonathon Green | Dabbler | 12 May 2011
Beautiful, thoughtful explication of a working life. "I chase down words.
And by placing these words in alphabetical order and by naming and defining
and providing a word-based background for their existence I create a book"
[4]Comments
Links:
4. http://thebrowser.com/articles/confessions-lexicographer
[5]What The Mafia Teaches About Fiscal Policy
Links:
5. http://b.rw/iFUBpt
Olaf Storbeck | Economics Intelligence | 11 May 2011
Catchy title, serious issue: does economic stimulus work? It can be
difficult to tell because when policymakers do it they don't know what would
have happened if they hadn't. Happily, Italy's anti-mafia operations suggest
an answer [6]Comments
Links:
6. http://thebrowser.com/articles/what-mafia-teaches-about-fiscal-policy
[7]A Clockwork Orange: The Droog Rides Again
Links:
7. http://b.rw/j7GQVn
Steve Rose | Guardian | 11 May 2011
One of the most infamous films of the last century celebrates its 40th
anniversary. Interesting essay looks back at the film's history -- how it
was made, why it became notorious. And whether it has now lost its shock
value [8]Comments
Links:
8. http://thebrowser.com/articles/clockwork-orange-droog-rides-again
[9]How Wikileaks Gags Its Own Staff
Links:
9. http://b.rw/jLHhKJ
David Allen Green | New Statesman | 11 May 2011
Copy of "draconian" confidentiality agreement Wikileaks employees must sign.
Includes a "ludicrous" £12m penalty for violation of gag order. Wikileaks'
attitude toward its information looks more commercial than public-spirited
[10]Comments
Links:
10. http://thebrowser.com/articles/how-wikileaks-gags-its-own-staff
[11]Hollywood, A Love Story
Links:
11. http://b.rw/mki2K2
Clive James | Atlantic | 11 May 2011
David Thomson's "New Biographical Dictionary of Film" is "a shantytown with
the ambitions of a capital city. It gets bigger all the time without ever
becoming more coherent". But "as a book meant to be argued with, it’s a
triumph" [12]Comments
Links:
12. http://thebrowser.com/articles/hollywood-love-story
FiveBooks Interview
[13]Edward L Glaeser on Urban Economics
Links:
13. http://thebrowser.com/interviews/edward-l-glaeser-on-urban-economics
The Harvard economist chooses books on the economics of cities, from
Chicago’s life story to how urban transport shaped New York
Featured Topic
[14]Communism
Links:
14. http://thebrowser.com/topics/communism
Our series on Communism, for the inquisitive Comrade. Interviews range from
Robert Service on Totalitarian Russia to Richard McGregor on the Chinese
Communist Party. Each expert picks their favourite books and articles
Reader Recommendations
_[15]@[16]mrianleslie_ "Numbers remain a challenge for Britain’s ruling
class." [17]on.ft.com/kiIFqj [18]#browsings
Links:
15. http://twitter.com/#!/mrianleslie
16. http://twitter.com/mrianleslie
17. http://on.ft.com/kiIFqj
18. https://twitter.com/search?q=#browsings
Book of the Day
[19]To Change China: Western Advisers in China by Jonathan D Spence
Links:
19. http://thebrowser.com/recommended/change-china-western-advisers-china-by-jonathan-d-spence
_[20]Evan Osnos says:_ "At its core, this book is about humility and
understanding what is possible in China as a foreigner"
Links:
20. http://thebrowser.com/interviews/evan-osnos-on-china
Video of the Day
[21]Russian Facebook Roulette
Links:
21. http://thebrowser.com/videos/russian-facebook-roulette
"The first game in which you can lose your digital life"
Quote of the Day
[22]Stephen Moss, on British politics
Links:
22. https://twitter.com/#!/benonix
"The coalition vs Labour is the political equivalent of Wigan vs West Ham.
Likely to be decided by own goals"