2010

This blog post discusses the inevitability of utilitarian judgments in decision making, arguing that while not the only factor, we rely on it more than we realize. via marginalrevolution

Advanced visualization techniques, like stacked graphs and arc diagrams, are discussed, along with the Protovis toolkit. via FlowingData

Bryan Caplan on EconLib agrees with Robin Hanson's interpretation of George Stigler's quote about cost-benefit analysis and overregulation.

via The source of this content is Econlib.

Panera Bread opened a pay-what-you-can cafe in St. Louis with hopes to expand the model. via kottke.org

Bryan Caplan reminisces about his 1991 summer internship at the Cato Institute, highlighting his experiences and influential figures he met. via Econlib.

Tyler Cowen recommends Dan Ariely's book "The Upside of Irrationality" and links to a page with riddles by Ariely. via Marginal Revolution

Alex Tabarrok shares a passage from the science fiction novel "The Unincorporated Man", where a system allows investment in individuals, and asks readers to consider both sides of the argument. via Marginal Revolution.

FlowingData takes a look at the 2010 midterm elections using election maps from The New York Times. via FlowingData.

Does teaching matter at large research universities? This Crooked Timber piece digs into that question, exploring how universities balance teaching with research and the challenges of assessing teaching effectiveness. via Crooked Timber

Economist Bob Murphy details his experience volunteering for Haitian earthquake relief and the reactions he received from some Haitians. via Econlib

John Cassidy of The New Yorker reports on an article comparing Larry Summers' role in the Obama administration to Henry Kissinger's influence in previous administrations.

Hackaday shared a guide on how to turn a basic optical mouse into a custom trackball with a roll-on deodorant ball and scrap cardboard.