Monthly Archives: November 2019

Overconfidence

Posted on November 28, 2019 by odeboyz

Overconfidence, though, can be hugely damaging. Daniel Kahneman has called it the most dangerous of all cognitive biases. The three worst decisions in the UK in the last 20 years – Blair’s war in Iraq, RBS’s takeover of ABM Amro … Continue reading →

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American Anti-Semitism in 1936

Posted on November 28, 2019 by odeboyz
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An Unforeseen Consequence of the Dissolution of the Monasteries

Posted on November 28, 2019 by odeboyz

England was shattered by the dissolution of the Roman Catholic church in the 1530s. One unforeseen consequence was the destruction of provision for the poor. The monasteries had a religious duty towards them. Those who were entirely incapable of surviving … Continue reading →

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A Ricky Gervais quip

Posted on November 26, 2019 by odeboyz

“My greatest hero is Nelson Mandela. What a man. Incarcerated for 25 years, he was released in 1990 and he hasn’t reoffended. I think he’s going straight, which shows you prison does work.” Chris

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Does Trump’s language incite race hatred?

Posted on November 26, 2019 by odeboyz

“The Washington Post has a headline today that makes you go hmmm: ‘Trump Vexed by Branding Crisis: How to Shed the Label of “Racist”.’ I think we all have a pretty good idea of how Trump could avoid being called … Continue reading →

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Hedonism and addiction

Posted on November 26, 2019 by odeboyz

Addiction occurs when a pleasurable activity becomes uncontrollable. Crack cocaine is pleasant but is difficult to control. Likewise alcohol, sugary food, fast driving, nicotine, gambling or even, getting rich. The law of diminishing returns elegantly explains why hedonists aren’t addicts. … Continue reading →

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A Steve Coogan joke

Posted on November 21, 2019 by odeboyz

The temperature inside this apple turnover is over 1,000 degrees. If I squeeze it, a jet of molten Bramley apple will squirt out. Could go your way; could go mine. Either way, one of us is going down. Chris

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Book Review: Paul Theroux ~ O-Zone (1986)

Posted on November 21, 2019 by odeboyz

This book fizzes with ideas based around fear. The wealthy fear the poor and erect buildings which are fortresses inside sealed cities. Travel is by helicopter as ground level movement is hazardous as well as being slow from endless checkpoints. … Continue reading →

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Ancestry

Posted on November 20, 2019 by odeboyz

Last month both Jan and I were invited to my cousin’s and his wife’s fiftieth wedding anniversary. It wasn’t until near the date of the celebration we learned that four of our children(?), their partners and grandchildren were also invited. … Continue reading →

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You need hands….

Posted on November 18, 2019 by odeboyz

Ray E.

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