A Cliff notes version of Mr Gladwell's writing was presented in a previous letter:

"Gladwell's conclusion? Because we can use this tiny snippet of data to make accurate predictions about a complicated subject like the success of a relationship, therefore our subconscious can also tell us these things as well."

NOT EVEN CLOSE.

Blink has to do with how an EXPERT can use small, sometimes imperceptible, indicators to make a decision that is more accurate than a mountain of research and time spent on other methods. Sometimes an expert can show others how they made this decision sometimes they can't.

The above quote is a gross misinterpretation because it implies that "we" and "us" are able to preform this sort of "thin slicing" without experience, training or innate ability.

Unfortunately the biggest safety feature and the largest hazard on a modern airplane appears to be the folks in the very front. If they are too chummy they get lazy and make mistakes. If they are too divided they don't communicate well and make mistakes. Fortunately even at the extremes they are still humans with their own lives on the line with the ability overcome many problems that would flummox any other method of flying an airplane.

It is all the rage these days to trash Gladwell because of his alleged oversimplification of complex subjects. Likewise it is an oversimplification of his work to take quotes and concepts out of context like the "lots of plane crashes". The quote in context dealt with the statistically high number of crashes involving Korean Air. To anyone involved in any of those accidents even ONE incident for the documented reason is too many.

And lastly, I do think Gladwell is a better journalist than interviewee. IMHO Mr Smith is being a bit thin skinned in his defense of the "strange and mysterious realm" of aviation.

In typical next quarter is all that matters US corporate decision making the big three and many other companies designed their own undoing. Their absolute revolt against sustainable retirement and healthcare plans put them in the position they are today.

If you want the details Mr. Gladwell has the story:

"In 1945, when President Truman first proposed national health insurance, they cheered. In 1947, when Ford offered its workers a pension, the union voted it down. The labor movement believed that the safest and most efficient way to provide insurance against ill health or old age was to spread the costs and risks of benefits over the biggest and most diverse group possible."

www.gladwell.com/2006/2006_08_28_a_risk.html

Unfortunately we will have to continue propping up the incompetence of the big three for at least a year since the cost of not doing so will be greater. Hopefully Washington will be able to nuke some of the top end cost of their operations as part of the deal.

Just more of privatize the profits and socialize the risk...

"Republicans argue -- and they make a plausible case -- that the Obama campaign is doing nothing more than convincing its base to ballot early."

It is all in the numbers.

Franklin County (where Columbus is located) has 854 precincts and from a quick look hundreds of voting locations. While the lines look big at the SINGLE early voting location there will likely still be plenty of voters on election day.

Until someone releases a count of early vs registered voters this talking point is just more Republican BS.

Hedge funds are a relic of times when we couldn't make transactions at the speed of light. The faster they are gone the better.

"Obama's continued refusal to confront McCain over his naive ideas of an American "victory" is more evidence of the incompetence of his campaign."

Obama has run a very competent campaign. Staying out of the "victory" swamp is one example.

There is NO WAY Obama can get the American people to understand even 1/4 of Kamiya's article. ANY attempt to confront McCain's "my surge = victory" dance will be met with scorching republican rhetoric about defeatism, harming the troops and lack of patriotism.

Let the pubic dream of "victory", "peace with honor" or some other jingoistic catch phrase. By not stirring that pot Obama can win the election and pull the troops out. To state the obvious that there is no path to victory is political death.

Debating facts is futile when much of the nation is totally ignorant of what is happening.

That is EXACTLY where we are headed.

The WORST mistake in banking regulation was allowing this insane consolidation of banks. It helps NO ONE except the big boys at the top.

In my home state it started when the legislature passed a bill that allowed a bank to operate in more that one county. It was the beginning of the end for many local jobs and common sense lending.

Simplification is the key to making complex systems reliable. We are headed the other way.

Another "f - - -in' redneck".

"McCain likely tapped Palin specifically to battle Obama's perceived woman problem, and her selection blunts the Obama camp's argument that McCain has entirely lost his maverick edge."

The new argument is that McCain has lost his mind. At the very least this selection brings into question his commitment to doing what is best for the country.

The mayors of 17 US cities are responsible to more constituents than Ms Palin. Memphis Tennessee has about the same population as Alaska. She is way out of her environment.

The same cannot be said for Barack Obama. He has spent his adult life on the skills that prepare a person for leadership. Legal scholar, community organizer, legislator and travel. On the other hand Ms Palin went to a PTA meeting several years ago and found politics after giving up her dream of being on ESPN. As recently as last year the concept of being vice president was not even on her radar.

If the American people are unable to see through this cheap ploy there is little hope...