IQ2US: For A Better Future, Live In A Red State

While gridlock and division in Washington make it difficult for either party or ideology to set the policy agenda, single-party government prevails in three-quarters of the states. In 24 states Republicans control the governorship and both houses of the legislature, and in 13 states Democrats enjoy one-party control. Comparing economic growth, education, health care, quality of life and environment, and the strength of civil society, do red or blue states win out?

IQ2US: Break Up The Big Banks

To prevent the collapse of the global financial system in 2008, Treasury committed 245 billion in taxpayer dollars to stabilize America’s banking institutions. Today, banks that were once “too big to fail” have only grown bigger, with JPMorgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Goldman Sachs holding assets equal to over 50% of the U.S. economy. Were size and complexity at the root of the financial crisis, or do calls to break up the big banks ignore real benefits that only economies of scale can pass on to customers and investors?

God is not a Good Theory - Sean Carroll

(Is "God" Explanatory) from the "Philosophy of Cosmology" project. A University of Oxford and Cambridge Collaboration.

Scott Lynch: Lies, Larceny, and Locke Lamora

The always wonderful Scott Lynch, author of The Gentleman Bastard series, recently spoke with me about his character Locke Lamora and how who the villain is can really depend on your perspective. (From suvudu)

Harrison Ford at the Maverick Spirit Award

Jack Gleeson aka King Joffrey