February 9th, 2012 → 7:35 am
“I’ll so offend to make offense a skill,
Redeeeming time when men think least I will.” – Henry IV
In my day job I’m an economics professor, with a specialty in environmental and energy economics. My love of Shakespeare hardly ever crosses into this domain, so I was quite surprised when, sitting at my desk in my office yesterday, reading a technical industry publication, I came across the above quote used in reference to the Solyndra debacle and the federal government’s loan guarantee program for renewable energy. I actually don’t think this was the best use of a Shakespeare quote, because it requires knowing a bit about Prince Harry (think: wild child) and the context of his ascent to king as Henry V (think: reformed wild child) to fully understand the meaning here (and how many people reading technical energy publications know that??). But for me at least, this was fun to come across.
If anyone out there sees other uses of Shakespeare in odd contexts in their daily lives, please pass the quotes along! I’d love to hear them, and I may even start posting some of these “guest” quotes now and again on the website.
Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money & Politics/Politicians
February 7th, 2012 → 7:37 am
“I am a feather for each wind that blows.” – Winter’s Tale
It’s turning into one of those weeks. Where everything just seems to overpower me and bring me down. Work, people, the internet?!?! Nothing is that bad, of course, it just feels that bad. Why is that? And how can I make it go away?
Filed under: Blog & Self/My Life & Stupid/Evil People
February 5th, 2012 → 8:45 am
“Zounds! I was never so bethumped with words.” – King John
Nancy Brinker, founder and chief executive of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, has changed her story repeatedly over the last few days as to why the group didn’t want to give funds to Planned Parenthood. It’s all been a bit ridiculous. A few years ago I stopped giving money to Susan G. Komen for the Cure when I found out how little money actually went to cancer reduction efforts (as opposed to administrators and lawyers). This just confirms for me that there are better places for my donations.
February 3rd, 2012 → 6:53 am
“The game’s afoot!” – Henry V
There is so much hype going around right now about Facebook’s upcoming IPO that I can only grin and see it as a big game. I’ve heard potential valuations for the company ranging from 5 billion to 100 billion dollars. $100 billion! That’s more than the GDP of many countries (including Syria, Ecuador, Lebanon, and more than 100 others). I wish I had some popcorn to eat while I sit back and watch all this craziness play out…
Filed under: Blog & Economics/Money
February 1st, 2012 → 6:07 am
“Two stars keep not their motion in one sphere.” – Henry IV
It’s my understanding that the above quote means, essentially, that there isn’t room for two kings in one kingdom. Both Romney and Gingrich can’t be the Republican presidential nominee. And it is looking increasingly likely that the crown is going to go to Romney.
Filed under: Blog & Politics/Politicians