As hard as I tried to limit myself to my 5 most favorite articles to post this week, I simply couldn’t do it. This week’s Aggregate tackles some serious topics, with a little bit of humor thrown in for good measure.
I’d love to hear what you guys think of these articles (or any that you’ve seen here so far), so feel free to comment.
1
Written in an intriguing Gladwell-esque style, this article from the Atlantic Monthly examines the flaws of our current healthcare system, and offers logical, practical, market-based solutions for healthcare reform. It's a lengthy read, but highly recommended. Although I doubt that all of the proposed solutions can be implemented, it is the essence of the author's approach which offers hope for a brighter (and healthier) tomorrow.
2
While the internet might have brought us closer together, and flattened the world as we once knew it, a series of lawsuits involving bloggers, celebrities, and a whole lot of libel has once again reminded us that the "free" in free speech, does not mean free of consequence.
3
Mark Levin this week decided to post the epilogue to his best selling book Liberty & Tyranny. Having read the book and thoroughly enjoyed it, I found this epilogue to be a thorough structure for a lot of the principles I was brought up with, and currently believe.
4
A nice follow up to the Google Bomb article above, this piece argues that our ability to communicate faster does not mean that we communicate better or more effectively. I didn't ever think I'd ever have any manifestos on my website, nevermind two, but both, albeit different, are quite interesting.
5
Toyota is closing NUMMI, a GM joint-venture assembly plant in the Bay Area (I have actually visited it!). This closure is particularly important not only because it is the first plant closure in Toyota's 72-year history, but also because it is more evidence of just how anti-business California has really become. Grossly high tax rates, overbearing pollution laws, and unbelievably unrealistic labor requirements have just shut out the world's most efficient company, leaving 5400 people unemployed in an unforgiving economy.
6
On a more lighthearted note, this collection of 35 thoughts came from an email chain bouncing around offices worldwide. My favorite so far: "How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?" After doing some research, it turns out that this collection is actually taken from popular entries on a digg-type site called ruminations, which lets people submit their thoughts & vote for their favorites.
7
Ted Kennedy's death this week has causes quite a political stir in Massachusetts, where apparently Democrats are trying to overturn a law they themselves passed requiring vacant senate seats to be filled by general election rather than gubernatorial appointment. Quite a turn of events, particularly in light of the healthcare debate facing the nation & congress when it resumes in September.
