Learning

Posted by D. Daniel Sokol Michi NISHIHARA (Graduate School of Economics, Osaka University) and Takashi SHIBATA (Graduate School of Social Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University) discuss Preemption, leverage, and financing constraints. ABSTRACT: This paper investigates the interactions between preemptive competition and...

Posted by D. Daniel Sokol Guillaume Cheikbossian (University of Montpellier, TSE) and Philippe Mahenc (University of Montpellier) analyze Cooperation in the Presence of an Advantaged Outsider. ABSTRACT: This paper analyzes how the stability of the tacit cooperation within a fringe...

With journalism becoming increasingly dependent on unpaid work experience, are we forcing out talented writers who just can't afford it?As the UK economy continues to stagnate and wilt under the pressure of a population that demands an increase in living standards, has our ability to push for real positive equality been pushed aside? As a country, it is not only the gap between the rich and the poor that has continued to rise, but the equality of opportunity. Opportunity that, if born and raised in London or the South-East, is increasingly defined by it's advantageous position.More...

The fifty best (public domain) classic movies that you can legally watch online for free right now, all neatly collected for y'all by Flavorwire (paginated version).

The mysterious glowing orbs have fascinated people for generations.

After months of testing, Dunkin' Donuts is finally ready to unleash its range of gluten-free goodies to customers across the country.According to Bloomberg, Dunkin' Donuts will be selling gluten-free cinnamon-sugar doughnuts and blueberry muffins in stores nationwide this year, becoming the first in the fast food industry to offer gluten-free pastries.More...

A scarcely seen type of orca is likely a distinct subspecies or species, researchers say.

From Climate Central's Andrew Freedman:When Hurricane Sandy struck New York City on October 29, 2012, the dark waters of Flushing Bay poured over the edges of LaGuardia Airport, flooding parts of the facility’s 7,000-foot long east-west runway, and damaging lighting and navigation systems. The floodwaters created an eerie image of jetways ending in water, as if they had been converted into boat ramps.More...

By Madeline Will NEW YORK, June 19 (Reuters) - The American Medical Association joined the effort to discourage consumption of sugary drinks on Wednesday with a pledge to work to get them off U.S. government food aid programs for the poor. The nation's largest physician group said removing the sugary beverages from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program would help reduce weight-related health problems. "The AMA is working to improve the nation's health care outcomes, particularly cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which are often linked to obesity," said AMA President Dr. Ardis Dee Hoven said in a statement. The group's stance came a day after mayors in 18 cities, including New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, sent a letter to Congress asking members to maintain funding for the food program, known as SNAP, while cutting its subsidy of sugary drinks. Sugary drinks make up 58 percent of beverages purchased under SNAP, according to studies cited by the association. Consumption of sugary drinks like soda has been associated with weight gain and a higher risk of obesity in children. About two-thirds of American adults are considered overweight or obese. AMA also said it would encourage state health agencies to send SNAP recipients nutrition information. "(SNAP) already, and appropriately, does not allow purchases of tobacco or alcohol - why should we continue supporting unhealthy purchases in the false name of nutrition assistance?" said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a statement. Bloomberg had worked to ban sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces from being sold in city movie theaters and restaurants, but a state Supreme Court judge struck the ban down in March. The city has appealed the decision. The American Beverage Association countered by saying the U.S. Department of Agriculture has determined the beverage purchases of SNAP households are consistent with those of the general population. "Targeting struggling families who rely on SNAP's vital safety net will not make America healthier or reduce government spending," the group said in a statement. (Editing by Doina Chiacu and Michele Gershberg)More...

Last week was the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy's commencement address to the graduates of American University. I present an abridged version, as Kennedy is speaking in terms that are relevant not only to America today in the global sense, with respect to wars of mass destruction and planetary climate survival, but to the American polity and the relationships of its people. He speaks of peace and freedom and diversity, tolerance and coexistence; more importantly, he talks about the setting of pragmatic goals and the perseverance needed to attain them. Pushing for LGBT equality, while not in his mind during his life, is part of our mission today, and we have much to learn from his words.I have, therefore, chosen this time and place to discuss a topic on which ignorance too often abounds and the truth too rarely perceived. And that is the most important topic on earth: peace. What kind of peace do I mean and what kind of a peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or the security of the slave. I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, and the kind that enables men and nations to grow, and to hope, and build a better life for their children -- not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women, not merely peace in our time but peace in all time.More...