With Both Hands - Comments

Ben Espen comments on Humidor DIY

Ben Espen — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:18:56 +0000

You are welcome.

stphen comments on Humidor DIY

stphen — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:39:09 +0000

well really very nicely explained the example, it seems very informative, nice content. thanks for this exclusive information.

TheFamilySocialScientist comments on DSM-5 to include the Big 5

TheFamilySocialScientist — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 19:49:37 +0000

I am note sure how I feel about this. On one hand, its nice to not have a catchall definition of these disorders. On the other hand, using things like the Big 5 is a little too far on the opposite end of the spectrum. Its a bit to vague. It lends credence to individuals self diagnosing because the diagnosis is so open and varied that pretty much anyone could fit the bill.

I guess I'll have to wait until 2013 to know for sure.

Marjory comments on Netflix Culture Presentation

Marjory — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 21:17:36 +0000

There are some pretty amazing ideas there alright. By the way, nobody is immune to a loss due to employee issues. MediaWhiz considers Walmart's move to global e-commerce as an opportunity for the retail giant but others are not so sure that Walmart can keep it going at their former rate.

Ben Espen comments on Netflix Culture Presentation

Ben Espen — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:24:11 +0000

I'm not sure Wal-Mart would notice only 33 million. =)

Tom comments on Netflix Culture Presentation

Tom — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:24:05 +0000

Exempt/Non-Exempt classification problems can lead to huge back wages penalties. Especially in states like California, which have many pro-employee labor laws with real teeth. Especially in the 9th Circuit, too.

Check out this Walmart settlement:
http://www.gcconsulting.com/articles/120141/73/Wal-Mart-to-Pay-More-Than-33-million-to-Employees-in-Back-Wages

33 million dollars. That is a lot of cash. And this settlement is hardly an anomaly. Because the Fair Labor Standards Act and the corresponding state versions of the act award reasonable attorney fees, the labor lawyers are happy to take cases from individuals and then enlarge the scope of a lawsuit to a class of dozens of affected employees.

Wal-Mart, FedEx, Dominoes, Starbucks, etc., etc., etc.

Netflix doesn't want to be on that list. Creating a stark distinction between salaries and hourly helps avoid these problems.

Lisa Schnebly comments on A Short Article about Dale Shewalter's Life

Lisa Schnebly — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:06:08 +0000

I enjoyed reading your post! I just finished writing a piece about Dale that will come out in June' "Arizona Highways," and he talked about the Colorado Plateau unit and his Mogollon Rim walk. I met him in 1989 and he said last week he loves hearing from former students.
Teachers live on...so do trial blazers.

Ben Espen comments on Holmes is a Mess

Ben Espen — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:27:30 +0000

Well, I suppose that is what happens when I rely on my memory of a book I have not read in 15 years. As for Holmes never seeming to be at a loss for where things were, I think that was just a clever facade. I like to give the same impression, but it is not true.

TheFamilySocialScientist comments on Holmes is a Mess

TheFamilySocialScientist — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 04:48:01 +0000

I dont know about the dapper reserved gentleman assessment. Often Watson would describe him as messy and without common sense and order when it came to his personal surroundings. He kept unread correspondence on the mantle affixed with a large knife, for example. He is always said to be able to find what he needs in the middle of the horrible mess and that others find his living situation to be reprehensible, Watson included. Doyle's Holmes was also prone to starving himself during cases, not speaking for days on end, and having acid burns and stains on his hands and clothing.

In The Hound of the Baskervilles, however, he was described as very concerned with his personal hygiene.

I think that the movie reflected a logical median between the two versions, which Holmes looking disheveled (except when in polite company) but never disgusting. His living situation was one of ordered chaos, as he never seemed to be at a loss for where things were.

Ben Espen comments on A Study in Emerald

Ben Espen — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 00:48:25 +0000

I can readily recommend H. P. Lovecraft. I bought a compilation of most of his works a few years ago and read them all. I really enjoyed them, even though they are all quite disturbing. You can pick up a number of good anthologies at a bookstore, or some of his works are out of copyright. I recommend At the Mountains of Madness and The Call of Cthulu.