bicoastal November 22nd, 2006
I was listening to the song “Spill the Wine,” by Eric Burdon & War, and it got me thinking about west and east coast approaches to spilled wine and seduction. Before you go any further, crank up the song now, or go get it on iTunes. Really, don’t go any further until the song is playing.
bicoastal November 22nd, 2006
Over the last decade a group of economists and scholars in other disciplines have challenged the fundamental assumptions of neoclassical economics. Most notably, “behavioral economists” and their fellow travelers have presented persuasive evidence that people make consistent and fundamental errors in assessing risk, and that most people in many contexts place a high value on fairness and altruism relative to material well being.
I contend that this intellectual movement can be characterized as a shift from east coasterly to west coasterly scholarship.
I. First, check out some of the leaders from the old and new school. Here are Richard Posner and Richard Epstein, old line economists, in their faculty profile pictures:
Wow. Can you get more east coast? Now check out leading behavioral economists Matthew Rabin and Samuel Bowles, also in their faculty pictures:
Dude, where’s my slide rule? These guys fucking rock.
Continue Reading »
bicoastal November 18th, 2006
What? You say you’re a scientist who wants a little west coast action, but you’re stuck in your MIT/Harvard/UPenn lab all day? Think you’re still human, but starting to feel like your protein chains hook up more than you do? Check it, especially around 3:00.
This is how life could have been for all of us if this country had let a little more of the free loving west coast into its heart.
(It’s hard to believe now but I don’t think this film was meant to be the least bit ironic.)
bicoastal November 16th, 2006
ROB
Imagine my surprise when I got your call, Max.
ALVY
(Carrying his jacket over his shoulder)
Yeah. I had the feeling that I got you at a bad moment. You know, I heard high-pitched squealing.
They walk over to Rob’s convertible and get in.
ROB
(Starting the car)
Twins, Max. Sixteen-year-olds. Can you imagine the mathematical possibilities?
ALVY
(Reacting)
You’re an actor, Max. You should be doing Shakespeare in the Park.
ROB
Oh, I did Shakespeare in the Park, Max. I got mugged. I was playing Richard the Second and two guys with leather jackets stole my leotard.
He puts on an elaborate helmet and goggles.
ALVY
(Looking at Rob’s helmet)
Max, are we driving through plutonium?
ROB
Keeps out the alpha rays, Max. You don’t get old.
bicoastal November 14th, 2006
ROB
Right, Max. California, Max.
ALVY
Ah.
ROB
Let’s get the hell outta this crazy city.
ALVY
Forget it, Max.
ROB
-we move to sunny L.A. All of show business is out there, Max.
ALVY
No, I cannot. You keep bringing it up, but I don’t wanna live in a city where the only cultural advantage is that you can make a right turn on a red light.
ROB
(Checking his watch)
Right, Max, forget it. Aren’t you gonna be late for meeting Annie?
bicoastal November 14th, 2006
“I am sick and tired of working for other people. I want to work for myself.”
California, Max.
bicoastal November 13th, 2006
The names of the west and east coast electronic toll collection system are really torquing my mind. In California they call it “FasTrak.” But that’s an east coast name. On the east coast (Virginia-Maine) they call it “E-ZPass.” But that’s a west coast name. Why are these traffic agencies fronting? (And why purple?)
bicoastal November 13th, 2006
Props to City of Progress, and their album “Bi-Coastal Curious,” for inspiring the name of this blog. I don’t know if they originated the term, but as far I know they are the first and only to put it in musical form.
