Yeah, really. September 1, 2008 1:25 AM Subscribe
Yeah, really. It's topical (during a very political time, where such issues are being widely discussed), interesting, well-written, and had never been posted before. I honestly don't see the problem. Or is NewsFilter the rule? Does the date on this really matter?
It's a nice business article and all, but presents one writer's opinion of a subject. It's a subject that's popular now with a presidental campaign going on, but this isn't the daily kos where every aspect of a presidential election needs to go under the microscope.
There could be any number of posts about all sorts of general interest economic and political subjects on MeFi, but >1 year old article on a minor aspect of this election isn't that interesting.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 1:44 AM on September 1, 2008
There could be any number of posts about all sorts of general interest economic and political subjects on MeFi, but >1 year old article on a minor aspect of this election isn't that interesting.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 1:44 AM on September 1, 2008
The topic was indeed interesting and worthy of debate, but the article itself seemed to be stretching for credibility at times. For example, the author tried to introduce international comparisons but did so in the most superficial way - US vs Japan, single data point. And even then, didn't consider the well known cultural differences explaining longer working hours in Japan. Natural followup question - why not consider US / European or US / Canadian differences?
Without having access to specialist academic journals, the author could have examined data comparing productivity between the US and OECD nations, and found that no fewer than seven OECD nations work shorter hours but have higher productivity than The United States [.pdf].
A brief excerpt for those not inclined to download a pdf -- "Now, however, seven OECD countries have passed the U.S. in productivity: Norway, with 131 percent of U.S. productivity levels; Belgium, 11 percent; Netherlands, 106 percent; Italy, 105 percent; France and Ireland, 103 percent; and Germany, 101 percent."
I wanted to comment but while collecting my resources and crafting a position the FPP was deleted. I mailed Kickstart70 mentioning that while the topic was interesting, additional references seemed to be needed at the FPP level.
Hope to see it again, as it's definitely an interesting topic and one that as an American ex-pat I've got a personal interest in.
posted by Mutant at 2:35 AM on September 1, 2008 [3 favorites]
Without having access to specialist academic journals, the author could have examined data comparing productivity between the US and OECD nations, and found that no fewer than seven OECD nations work shorter hours but have higher productivity than The United States [.pdf].
A brief excerpt for those not inclined to download a pdf -- "Now, however, seven OECD countries have passed the U.S. in productivity: Norway, with 131 percent of U.S. productivity levels; Belgium, 11 percent; Netherlands, 106 percent; Italy, 105 percent; France and Ireland, 103 percent; and Germany, 101 percent."
I wanted to comment but while collecting my resources and crafting a position the FPP was deleted. I mailed Kickstart70 mentioning that while the topic was interesting, additional references seemed to be needed at the FPP level.
Hope to see it again, as it's definitely an interesting topic and one that as an American ex-pat I've got a personal interest in.
posted by Mutant at 2:35 AM on September 1, 2008 [3 favorites]
Agreed. There could be a good post about the topic, but it would need more meat.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 2:51 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by Kirth Gerson at 2:51 AM on September 1, 2008
Pity, never enough opportunities to repeat Al Sharpton's quip "Trickle down means they get the trickle and we get the down."
posted by three blind mice at 4:32 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by three blind mice at 4:32 AM on September 1, 2008
gin and bear it,
they can't all be winners.
Myself, I wasn't even stirred by this.
posted by From Bklyn at 5:08 AM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
they can't all be winners.
Myself, I wasn't even stirred by this.
posted by From Bklyn at 5:08 AM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
I dunno, it was kind of a tonic.
posted by languagehat at 6:59 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by languagehat at 6:59 AM on September 1, 2008
Bartender, I'll have what they're having!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:00 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by flapjax at midnite at 7:00 AM on September 1, 2008
BY THE ELDER GODS I DO DECLARE THAT THIS WATER GIN IS RATHER WET
posted by loquacious at 7:10 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by loquacious at 7:10 AM on September 1, 2008
mathowie: "
There could be any number of posts about all sorts of general interest economic and political subjects on MeFi, but >1 year old article on a minor aspect of this election isn't that interesting."
So much for my OP/ED post about Jesus.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 7:11 AM on September 1, 2008
There could be any number of posts about all sorts of general interest economic and political subjects on MeFi, but >1 year old article on a minor aspect of this election isn't that interesting."
So much for my OP/ED post about Jesus.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 7:11 AM on September 1, 2008
It makes him a jolly good fellow. it helps him unwind and sometimes it makes him feel mellow.
posted by jonmc at 7:56 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by jonmc at 7:56 AM on September 1, 2008
The deleted FPP needed more context. You can't just regurgitate an old link like that without doing a bit more work and scraping together a few supporting links, unless your single link directs to a YouTube dog farting out the Star Spangled Banner.
posted by KokuRyu at 8:12 AM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by KokuRyu at 8:12 AM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
Trickle-down economics always struck me as pretty dubious, but at the same time very prevalent. I'd love to see a fleshed-out FPP on it, so I can pretend I understand money. Perhaps we could solve this problem with... mimosas?
posted by Uppity Pigeon #2 at 8:30 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by Uppity Pigeon #2 at 8:30 AM on September 1, 2008
Tell me more about this dog farting out the Star Spangled Banner.
posted by yhbc at 8:32 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by yhbc at 8:32 AM on September 1, 2008
I'll take a brandy squash on the veranda with my dandy.
posted by nola at 10:10 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by nola at 10:10 AM on September 1, 2008
It's a conspiracy.
posted by Mr. President Dr. Steve Elvis America at 10:17 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by Mr. President Dr. Steve Elvis America at 10:17 AM on September 1, 2008
If you email the article to the mods, then the benefit of them having read it will trickle down to us plebes.
posted by DU at 11:02 AM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
posted by DU at 11:02 AM on September 1, 2008 [1 favorite]
Happy labor day!
posted by puke & cry at 11:23 AM on September 1, 2008
posted by puke & cry at 11:23 AM on September 1, 2008
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posted by Kickstart70 at 1:27 AM on September 1, 2008