Rotundus.com

This year's π-day celebrations have been a little more unusual than that of year's prior. Other than admiring some sidewalk art about π day and consuming some beer from circular glasses, my celebrations largely were focused around finishing the book Life of Pi, a goal which was finally accomplished on the bus this evening.

Overall I'd have to say that it started out as a rather interesting book, but it didn't have a particularly satisfying end.

Ah well, there's still an opportunity for a somewhat belated celebration tomorrow as I'm scheduled to bring in some conical, spherical or at least vaguely circular objects in to consume at tea tomorrow. Will there be a pie amongst that lot? I'm not yet certain one way or the other.

Guess that'll have to be decided later this evening when I run out to pick up some snacks.

Common mistakes of left-wing and right-wing economists

Some points to ponder on ideological blind spots. It is (not too surprisingly) somewhat US-focused.

John Feinstein: A Referee's Whistle-Stop Tour

The absurdity that is U.S. college athletics: "Referees working in the six power conferences generally make $2,000 and up per game, plus first-class airfare and expenses. That means the top officials are making well into six figures during the five-month season." Can't they leave the colleges to the task of education?

Take back the trash

Food waste seems to be update 50% since 1974 - "The vast bulk of the dates that appear on the margins of dried, canned or packaged products were put there by manufacturers, who alone determine their decision-making process without revealing their standards. In other words, whom do you want to trust to tell you how long your food is good for? General Mills or general sense?"

Subway: World’s largest restaurant chain, passing McDonald’s

This could be a positive trend. Subway seems to involve a few actual vegetables (unless, of course, Darren is ordering).

A book called the Longevity Project was recently published, based on following a group of 1500 individuals over the course of their lifespan. An interview with one of the authors was posted at The Atlantic. Here's a brief excerpt:

Some of the connections you uncovered relate not only to what we might want to change in our own lives, but what we might do to cause our children to follow healthy paths.

Yes—as it turned out, starting formal schooling at a very early age turned out not to be a very good idea for most. Children need unstructured play time, and they need to get along with their peers; starting out young seemed to alienate them.