Excuses and Economic Efficiency

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:15:14 PM EST
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This post, ostensibly about economic efficiency, is just used as an excuse by me to post this:

< Leona Helmsley, the "Queen of Mean" Has Died | FISA: What We Need; More Handwringing, More Equivocation >

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Excuses and Economic Efficiency | 91 comments (91 topical)

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You are SO dating yourself (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by andgarden on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:41:28 PM EST

He tis a very responsible blogger. (5.00 / 3) (#5)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:45:09 PM EST

Must monitor as many other bloggers as humanly possible and provide us the most significant of his findings, complete with links, to links, to newspapers.

Parent

He is the very model of a modern major web logger (5.00 / 1) (#50)
by jerry on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:34:20 PM EST

Uh, I got that far, maybe you folks can fill in the rest.... ;)

Parent

Heh (none / 0) (#7)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:46:15 PM EST

Now you're making fun of me . . .

Parent

Suggested citation: (none / 0) (#9)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:51:19 PM EST

Oxoby, Robert J., "On the Efficiency of AC/DC: Bon Scott versus Brian Johnson" (May 2007). University of Calgary Economics Discussion Paper No. 2007-08 Available at SSRN

BTW, what is the name of the song on the video and shouldn't have the opportunity to link to both songs?

Parent

Shook Me All Night Long (none / 0) (#11)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:55:27 PM EST

Here's another for you - Surrender

Parent

Best ad ever for Bose noise-cancelling (none / 0) (#18)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:06:37 PM EST

head phones.

Parent

: Heh (none / 0) (#25)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:12:50 PM EST

Parent

You Kidding? (5.00 / 2) (#6)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:45:48 PM EST

I could've used a Bon video.

At least Brian Johnson is still alive.

Parent

Yeah, well (none / 0) (#10)
by andgarden on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:52:37 PM EST

I'll never tell you what kind of music I like.

Parent

Well I will (none / 0) (#12)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:57:16 PM EST

I like all types.

Here's a great one - Freddie Freeloader

Parent

Excellant Taste! (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by Molly Bloom on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:06:36 PM EST

Kind of Blue is one of my favorite albums... er... CDs

Parent

Interesting art selection ;-) (none / 0) (#15)
by andgarden on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:01:50 PM EST

Parent

It was (none / 0) (#16)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:03:35 PM EST

but it is a good recording for You Tube as well.

Parent

Incidentally, if you ever get the Philly (none / 0) (#19)
by andgarden on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:07:44 PM EST

You should make time to go see the Barnes Foundation collection. Best collection of impressionism outside of Paris, I think.

Parent

Yes, yes the Barnes. You'll need (none / 0) (#22)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:11:45 PM EST

a reservation and a high tolerance for Renoir, but the collection is absolutely wonderful. Plus, you can grab a laminated card, sit down on a bench in the middle of the room, and read about each painting before or after (or both) walking up close to view the paintings. Don't move the Barnes. What a travesty.

Parent

Oh, it should be moved (5.00 / 1) (#27)
by andgarden on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:13:24 PM EST

I'm all for making it accessible to more people. I also say that for selfish reasons--I'll live within walking distance of the new location.

Parent

I'm a rube (none / 0) (#24)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:12:29 PM EST

I love the audio tours.

Parent

Then you'll get more information (none / 0) (#30)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:14:29 PM EST

than any human can possibly absorb on the Barnes/Dewey philosophy of art.

Parent

: It's an. . .interesting philosophy. (none / 0) (#31)
by andgarden on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:15:59 PM EST

The quality of the art makes up for the eccentricities though.

Parent

Really? (none / 0) (#23)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:11:50 PM EST

Did not know that.

Love the Musee D'Orsay. Great set up imo.

Parent

I'm partial to the Centre Pompidou (none / 0) (#32)
by andgarden on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:17:04 PM EST

But that's just because, when I was there, they had a really cool Hitchcock exhibit.

Parent

World's ugliest museum building (none / 0) (#41)
by Maryb2004 on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:24:58 PM EST

I like the Rodin Museum and its gardens. A little oasis of quiet.

Parent

We have our own Rodin Museum here (none / 0) (#47)
by andgarden on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:27:51 PM EST

in Philly. /shill

Parent

Philadelphia (5.00 / 2) (#67)
by Maryb2004 on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 08:43:00 PM EST

The Paris of the North America. With a blogger on every block.

Actually I did not know there was a Rodin museum there. I may have to revise my opinion of Philly. ;)

Parent

Our main art museum is amazing too (none / 0) (#72)
by andgarden on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 09:29:12 PM EST

The Ben Franklin parkway, on which both museums are situated, at to which the Barnes is to be transferred, was designed with the Champs-Élysées in mind.

Parent

Ya guys need to stop (none / 0) (#75)
by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 06:40:27 AM EST

I'm in Alabama above the panhandle with no interstate onramp from my town and holding a deep fried oreo with a side of funnel cake.

Parent

Now that is fattening! (none / 0) (#77)
by Molly Bloom on Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 07:06:40 AM EST

So how is L.A. these days?

Parent

I'm still odd around here (none / 0) (#78)
by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 07:53:30 AM EST

I saved all of our extra combat pay, wanted something to show for being a nervous wreck then we bought this house in a really terrific established neighborhood but it isn't a militaryhood. It is established local families most of whom supply a service to the military but only tolerate our backwards worldly ways. A military spouses ability to adapt and overcome is viewed as a character flaw where I live. I'm shallow and unbecoming because I don't sweat the small stuff and I am pliant. A wife from Germany moved in up the street and she doesn't think I'm so wierd and I'm damned glad to have coffee with her ;). Man is it hot though, the heat is sapping some of the humidity but it was almost 80 degrees last night at nine o'clock, my dogs are miserable and have hot spots. Have you lived around here before?

Parent

If you are where I think you are (5.00 / 1) (#80)
by Molly Bloom on Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 08:09:48 AM EST

I grew up just west of you in Biloxi. I have cousins in Mobile and I attended Auburn as an undergrad. I've been sunburned in Orange Beach and Bear Point.

As for your neighborhood, sounds sort of like the one I grew up in.

Growing up in the South, you get used to the humidity. I've lived in MS, AL, Ga and FL (as well as a year in Sacramento). Leo is from Denver, he's never gotten used to the humidity and we want to retire in Colorado, but that is still a few years off.

Parent

A possibility of my husband (none / 0) (#81)
by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 09:01:16 AM EST

having a civilian job in El Paso showed up after he retires. I'm allergic to the mold around here and have asthma while living here...send me. He put in his paperwork for the job, hope he gets it. He deserves it. Funny thing was that getting a job like the one he put in for was sort of dream goal of his before such a job really existed, then our friend L who recently left for Iraq ran into an officer putting together this test pilot program and he put my husband in touch. Life always happens that way for my spouse, he just works hard and stuff happens to him? When I was working I worked hard and then worked hard some more ;) Will always have fond memories of here, not sure if I want to punch out here though, the Mexican food is too lousy for a native Colorado chick ;) My son cheers for Auburn. You have to pick Roll Tide or Tigers to count around here as you already know. I can't seem to pick one, just another wierdness....maybe I should just fake it...in that case I'm not picking anything with ELEPHANTS!

Parent

Never been to El Paso (none / 0) (#82)
by Molly Bloom on Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 09:20:07 AM EST

But all my ex's live in Texas and that's all right with me! Therefore I am in no hurry to go anywhere near the state.

I would think El Paso would be extremely hot and I have to confess as I get older, I may be used to the heat and humidity but I am ready for somewhere else. I like Colorado in August- so far so good! Plus I miss winter.

Parent

How did you talk them all (none / 0) (#83)
by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 09:46:42 AM EST

into congregating in one state that you probably wouldn't ever want to live in? I don't mind the desert and I like living in a multicultural setting, El Paso has the West flair I was born into too. As much as I hate being military under Bush I have enjoyed the cultural experiences the military has provided us and the multicultured friends.

Parent

: Truthfully I have less ex's (5.00 / 2) (#84)
by Molly Bloom on Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 11:37:40 AM EST

than your average GOP candidate. I have one ex- a native Texan. I just like the song.

Parent

Pre today's NYT, those deep-fried Oreo's (none / 0) (#85)
by oculus on Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 07:30:40 PM EST

do NOT contain transfats.

Parent

I'm partial to the Cluny (Lady and (none / 0) (#51)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:36:10 PM EST

the Unicorn) and recently discovered the Guimet (Asian) near the Trocadero.

Parent

Rosemary Clooney? (5.00 / 1) (#61)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 06:16:42 PM EST

"He's A Tramp . .. "

Parent

Hey there. (none / 0) (#63)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 06:40:15 PM EST

Parent

That would be (none / 0) (#66)
by Maryb2004 on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 08:40:52 PM EST

Peggy Lee

Parent

According to Wiki, Clooney (none / 0) (#68)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 08:49:26 PM EST

recorded the song in 1954 and Lee in 1960.

Parent

: He's a tramp? (none / 0) (#69)
by Maryb2004 on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 08:57:20 PM EST

uh uh. Peggy Lee. Lady and the Tramp. (My favorite Disney movie of all time).

Parent

Great set up if one follows the suggestion of (none / 0) (#33)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:17:21 PM EST

guidebooks and takes the escalator directly to the Impressionist art. I thought I knew better and carely viewed everything, leading to complete exhaustion when I finally go to the Impressionists. Time was short because, after obtaining a 35-hour work week, the workers were on strike for an entire week. Why, one asks? According to the cashier in the gift shop, the museum workers wanted more workers.

Parent

At least on the Miles Davis cut, (none / 0) (#20)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:07:53 PM EST

the YouTube poster should honor the music by including the names of all the musicians.

Parent

I'll do it for you (none / 0) (#21)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:10:50 PM EST

Maybe the greatest group in history -

Davis, Cannonball Adderly, Coltrane, Bill Evans, Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb.

Parent

Thanks. (none / 0) (#26)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:13:05 PM EST

I gather there is no requirement that music posted on YouTube be out of copyright.

Parent

I am almost certain (5.00 / 1) (#37)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:21:54 PM EST

this is all copyright infringement.

Parent

: I was going to ask you about that (5.00 / 1) (#43)
by andgarden on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:25:14 PM EST

But I thought you didn't like to offer opinions on that sort of thing.

Parent

Still alive (none / 0) (#29)
by Alien Abductee on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:13:43 PM EST

and rocking out the nursing home no doubt.

Speaking of relics, here's an old favorite...

Parent

Nice. Does he have anything on those (none / 0) (#35)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:20:10 PM EST

fretting fingers?

Parent

You mean other than (none / 0) (#57)
by Alien Abductee on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:52:03 PM EST

polyester?

Parent

I was looking for bottlenecks (none / 0) (#60)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 06:13:05 PM EST

Parent

Have you heard this? (none / 0) (#64)
by Alien Abductee on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 08:23:49 PM EST

Headbanger cello quartet Apocalyptica - and here playing Metallica.

Parent

First one is cello abuse but a great video. (5.00 / 1) (#65)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 08:33:25 PM EST

Brings back unhappy memories of hearing the Chronos Quartet recently. Seonc one--nice music. Reminds me of Eleanor Rigby.

Parent

Kronos Quartet (none / 0) (#71)
by Alien Abductee on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 09:12:56 PM EST

Had to look them up. I can see why the memories are unhappy...

Parent

: All the pieces they played at UCSD were (none / 0) (#73)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 11:01:01 PM EST

electronically enhanced. All were composed for the quartet. In one piece, the cellist started using an arc welder and the first chair violinist began banging and sawing on a the engine from what must have beena monster truck.

Parent

I shouldn't but (5.00 / 1) (#28)
by Molly Bloom on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:13:41 PM EST

I can't hear Shook Me All Night Long with thinking of this God Awful Version (Don't complain, you were warned!)

: God... (none / 0) (#46)
by desertswine on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:26:39 PM EST

noooooooo.....

Parent

So much fun on a Monday (5.00 / 2) (#38)
by Maryb2004 on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:22:30 PM EST

And people think TalkLeft is only for serious people. :)

Gawd I hope not (5.00 / 1) (#42)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:25:02 PM EST

Here's some fun - Subterranean Homesick blues.

Parent

: The Word (none / 0) (#52)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:38:10 PM EST

Parent

So glad I'm not at work today. (none / 0) (#40)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:24:40 PM EST

Parent

Rub it in (none / 0) (#44)
by Maryb2004 on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:25:33 PM EST

I can't actually LISTEN to any of the music all of you are talking about.

Parent

: So, if I see High Fidelity again, will (none / 0) (#56)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:51:15 PM EST

I recognize some of these selections?

Parent

Thanks for the candor. (none / 0) (#1)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:36:34 PM EST

But not for the link? (none / 0) (#2)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:38:59 PM EST

But of course, you were holding out for Don Giovanni . . .

Parent

Believe it or not, I watched and listened ; (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:40:23 PM EST

to the whole painful song. She is really, really beautiful though.

Parent

You'll love this one (5.00 / 1) (#8)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:50:30 PM EST

link

Parent

Simple lyrics, easy to understand. (none / 0) (#13)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:57:44 PM EST

Those shorts look really stupid and Eric Clapton is/was a much better guitarist.

Parent

: It's the tude (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 04:59:15 PM EST

Clapton is God.

Parent

Oh God!!!! (none / 0) (#79)
by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 08:00:50 AM EST

I think I'm sixteen, my boyfriend is Matt and he drives a tan Camaro that his grandmother bought for him against his parents wishes and he drives very questionably in most police officers opinions ;) I think they call it exibition of acceleration. And we all lived, amazing.

Parent

From the Eagles (none / 0) (#34)
by jimakaPPJ on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:18:29 PM EST

To this.....

zug

Love the Eagles (5.00 / 1) (#36)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:20:56 PM EST

But this is good too.

Jim, You'll like this one - Vanilla Ice.

Parent

WMDs? (none / 0) (#39)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:24:10 PM EST

Parent

: Under Pressure (none / 0) (#45)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:25:39 PM EST

Parent

heh (none / 0) (#62)
by jimakaPPJ on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 06:25:38 PM EST

I'm a radio gen...

I had to use my imagination when a song was played..

Parent

Ellie Ameling, a wonderful classical (none / 0) (#48)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:31:34 PM EST

singer, shows up on YouTube, but not singing the song I most enjoy hearing her sing:

Franz Schubert's An die Musik

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ellie+ameling&search=Search

I'm looking for (none / 0) (#49)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:33:27 PM EST

the Rabbit of Seville, starring Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd.

Parent

OK (5.00 / 1) (#55)
by andgarden on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:50:58 PM EST

What do I win?

Parent

: Cute. (5.00 / 1) (#58)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 06:06:47 PM EST

Parent
: Approval from Oculus. (5.00 / 1) (#59)
by Big Tent Democrat on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 06:09:06 PM EST

Parent
: Waking up the seven year old (5.00 / 1) (#76)
by Militarytracy on Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 06:46:34 AM EST

with this right now, he fell asleep on the sofa last night. Makes him fair game.

Parent

I heard this at a concert yesterday, although (none / 0) (#53)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:49:15 PM EST

unfortunately w/o the supertitles. Dame Edith Sitwell's poetry set to music by Sir William Walton. Very entertaining.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-774678241817630618&q=%22William+Walton%22&total=47& amp;start=40&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=2

Parent

OMG, I LOVED THAT when I was a kid (none / 0) (#54)
by andgarden on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 05:49:16 PM EST

Parent

Overrated (none / 0) (#70)
by Demi Moaned on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 09:04:58 PM EST

Elly Ameling did have a beautiful voice, but here interpretations were a bit shallow.

Parent

Who are/were your favorite lieder singers? (5.00 / 1) (#74)
by oculus on Mon Aug 20, 2007 at 11:02:47 PM EST

Parent

Fi-Di is tops in my book (5.00 / 1) (#86)
by Demi Moaned on Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 10:22:57 PM EST

Others I very much enjoy:
Peter Schreier
Edith Mathis
Barbara Bonney
Hans Hotter
Christa Ludwig
Schwarzkopf in limited doses
Thomas Quasthoff is very good, but he can be a bit mannered. Matthias Goerne much more so.

Parent

Good list, especially #1. (5.00 / 1) (#87)
by oculus on Wed Aug 22, 2007 at 01:13:00 AM EST

Not acquainted with Mathis. You omitted Bostridge. Too Britich for German Lieder?

Parent

I do like Bostridge (5.00 / 1) (#88)
by Demi Moaned on Wed Aug 22, 2007 at 11:10:06 PM EST

He's got great intelligence and good diction, which counts for a lot. And I would gladly cross town to hear him sing almost anything. My quibble (and it is a quibble) is that the voice is not quite as richly voluptuous as my favorites. A comparable singer whom I don't like is Wolfgang Holzmair.

If you can lay your hands on a copy, Schreier and Mathis did what I consider to be the best performance of the Italienisches Liederbuch on record (Keith Engel at the piano). Who else even comes close in a single recording? One guilty pleasure is that I made a composite, splicing together Fi-Di and Bonney (eliminating Schwarzkopf and Hagegard).

Parent

I really enjoy listening to Schwarzkopf's (5.00 / 1) (#89)
by oculus on Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 01:06:03 PM EST

singing R. Strauss's Four Last Songs, closing scene of Capriccio, and excerpts from Arabella (when I'm not listening to Ameling, of course.) I was lucky enough to get a standby ticket to hear Renee Fleming sing Capriccio at the Opera Garnier. What a highlight cultural traveler experience.

Parent

I love Capriccio (none / 0) (#90)
by Demi Moaned on Thu Aug 23, 2007 at 08:04:05 PM EST

It's probably the Strauss opera I know the best. That said, I think the closing scene is about the dullest passage in the whole opera. The problem is that sonnet setting.

I like to say that Capriccio demonstrates that Wagner is a greater composer than Strauss. The comparable passage in Wagner is the Prize Song in Meistersinger-- i.e., the point where the action of the drama depends on a specifically musical effect. The Prize Song is a catchy tune both in its original and ultimate forms. The Sonnet is very unmemorable. But I think it would be a great role for Fleming. The role depends much more on beautiful singing than insightful characterization.

What I love about Capriccio is the conversational repartee-- the way the music changes on a dime, especially in the opening scene for Olivier, Flamand and La Roche and later in the great drawing room scene.

I also love:

The opening String Sextet

Clairon's entrance through to the rehearsal

The three faux-Baroque dances

The Italian duet- now that's catchy

The Eight Servants- great camp!

M. Taupe's scene- nur mein Schlaf retter mich von Vergessenheit

The moonlight music- almost kitschy but so delicious

As for the Four Last Songs, Schwarzkopf's classic recording is not to my taste-- the voice is too pinched. I want opulence and long line. Jessye Norman's effort with Kurt Masur quite satisfies my taste. I also saw a video on a Singapore Airlines flight with Julia Varady (and Masur again?) that was quite enchanting in context. Not sure how I'd like it apart from the competition of aircraft noise.

Parent

: I thought Singapore Airlines was (5.00 / 1) (#91)
by oculus on Fri Aug 24, 2007 at 12:47:07 AM EST

good, but not that good! At the Opera Garnier, the string players played the opening sextet on stage. At the end of the opera, the set was a mock up of the lobby of the Garnier and on the stage w/i a stage was a curtain that looked the same as the curtain at the proscenium arch. Near the end you realized it was a false set, because now you could see the false fronts and the supports behind. At the very end, Renee Fleming, in a royal blue ball gown w/tiara and dripping faux diamonds, walked from the back wall to the lip of the stage--very regal. The audience went crazy.

Parent

Excuses and Economic Efficiency | 91 comments (91 topical)

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