Win $10,000 in the Dummies – Pinterest contest
Wiley is running a special promotion on Pinterest. Before March 31, 2013, create a board on Pinterest with “For Dummies” in the title. Then, pin 5 or more articles or products from Dummies.com on the board. Follow the Dummies people on Pinterest, register, and be submitted for the drawing. Sure, it seems like work, but [...]
China, India, and Problems with Gender Imbalances
Today’s New York Times had a story about how women in Williston, ND are feeling harassed. It’s one of the North Dakota communities that has seen a huge influx of men because of the growth of the energy industry. And, the women are feeling threatened. In India, a young woman died after a gang rape, [...]
Dummies Business Book Promotion on the iTunes Store
Do you use Apple’s iBookstore to find new things to read? If so, Wiley has a deal for you! This month, there is a special promotion on Dummies business books, including great prices. Check it out! Don’t you feel smarter already?
Some Thoughts on India and Demographics
Demographics are the closest thing out there to a reliable fortune teller. A nation’s destiny is foretold in its people; the makeup of the population determines what work will be done, what goods will be in demand, and which politicians will take power. Changing demographics are driving growth in India and China, but they are [...]
Infrastructure Spending, in China and Elsewhere
China has been spending enormous amounts of money on infrastructure. The US should be spending more money in infrastructure. Brazil is embarking on an infrastructure program in advance of the 2016 Olympics. Is this good, bad, or ugly? For the most part, infrastructure is good. We need roads to get around, railroads and shipyards to [...]
China, Japan, and the Communist Party Central Committee
China is in an interesting state right now. There were protests over the weekend, some violent, against the Japanese and against the Americans for not taking a firmer stand against the Japanese. Even Chengdu had protests, and that’s not a city known for being feisty. The peppers in the food make the women beautiful, I [...]
Pussy Riot, Emerging Markets, and Social Investing
Punk’s not dead in Russia, although it will be going to prison for a while. Three members of the band Pussy Riot have been sentenced to two years in prison for a protest against both Vladimir Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church. Whether or not you agree with them, their protest would be legitimate in [...]
A Wrap-Up of My China Trip
I’m back in the states! Here are my general observations on this past summer: Noodles. I love noodles. I am looking for noodle recipes and probably making a trip soon to Chinatown for supplies. Chengdu is known for food, and even a vegetarian can eat well (assuming, of course, that she likes noodles and spice!) [...]
Holidays Galore
I’m passing on this handy calendar of religious holidays, ReligiousHolidaysFY20122014, prepared by the University of Illinois at Chicago, which has astonishing diversity. What I like is the breakout of which holidays come with restrictions from work and which do not, which limits the number of excuses students can use. One of the amazing things about [...]
Fashion Ephemera
I like to dress nicely and snag a bargain as much as the next lady. I also know that cheap clothing is bad for the environment and bad for workers. All the cognitive dissonance makes me crazy! Really, what does it mean to be fashionable? I can’t buy clothes in Chengdu, so the fashion I [...]
