A news release about a study co-authored by Vanderbilt professor Mark Cohen reminds me of a quote by Franklin Roosevelt:
“We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; we know now that it is bad economics.”
The authors argue that for every ‘at-risk’ youth we save from a life of crime, society saves between $2.6 million to $5.3 million. I’m eager to read the study to see how he comes to these numbers.
If they are correct, this seems to be compelling evidence for the debates over whether education is a public or private good. A great deal hangs on this debate. For instance, if education is an entirely private good, then it becomes more difficult to build an argument that self-interested yet circumspect parents who opt out of public schools should still pay into the public system. However, if education is to a significant extent a public good (that is, if my own good depends on the education of others), then I these citizens may be wise to help pay for the education of others.
This might be especially relevant to the libertarian/free market enthusiasts who champion rights but are resistant to the notion of responsibility or moral obligation.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Bike vs. Drive
I calculated that a roundtrip from East Nashville to campus (about 5.5 miles each way) currently costs me about $1.75 in gas money. So last night I dragged the bike trailer out of the shed. My bike doesn’t have a predrilled hole to connect it to the trailer, so I just used the rear wheel skewer. (I hope this is safe. If anyone has an opinion, please let me know). It felt pretty solid. I took Carter out after dinner to beta test our bike + trailer concept.
Things went great, so this morning I piled Carter, my gym bag, and my computer bag in the trailer and headed toward the pedestrian bridge. All told, I think I was towing about 60 or 70 pounds, but it really didn’t feel like it (except perhaps coming uphill on Demonbreun). The trip by bike is only 4 miles, and I was able to make it to his daycare in 25 minutes. By car, it takes me closer to 10 minutes, but then I have to drive to a parking space (5 minutes) and walk back in to campus (10 minutes). Granted, I had to take some time to lock the bike and then change clothes, which put my total time from doorstep to office (not counting time inside the daycare, which is the same whether I bike or drive) at about 35 minutes.
That said, by biking I am able to double-task—my commute is also my exercise time. Thus, one could say that I gain an additional 50 minutes.
It looks as if I gain $1.75 in gas costs by extending my commute time by 10 minutes each way. I also burn roughly 220 more calories. However, I’m not trying to lose weight, so should I include the cost of additional food to replace these calories? Food is indeed a kind of fuel. If so, let’s say I spend about $1.00 on a cliff bar, muffin, or fruit. This means that the true cost savings may be closer to $0.75.
I can think of ways to make this cost-benefit calculation much more precise (and thus much more complex). The real cost of driving to work is considerably higher. The more I drive, the more the car depreciates and the more routine maintenance I have to perform. Further, once we look at the societal costs of driving vs. eating more, things get really controversial.
But I have comps next week, and I should probably start doing some real work.
Things went great, so this morning I piled Carter, my gym bag, and my computer bag in the trailer and headed toward the pedestrian bridge. All told, I think I was towing about 60 or 70 pounds, but it really didn’t feel like it (except perhaps coming uphill on Demonbreun). The trip by bike is only 4 miles, and I was able to make it to his daycare in 25 minutes. By car, it takes me closer to 10 minutes, but then I have to drive to a parking space (5 minutes) and walk back in to campus (10 minutes). Granted, I had to take some time to lock the bike and then change clothes, which put my total time from doorstep to office (not counting time inside the daycare, which is the same whether I bike or drive) at about 35 minutes.
That said, by biking I am able to double-task—my commute is also my exercise time. Thus, one could say that I gain an additional 50 minutes.
It looks as if I gain $1.75 in gas costs by extending my commute time by 10 minutes each way. I also burn roughly 220 more calories. However, I’m not trying to lose weight, so should I include the cost of additional food to replace these calories? Food is indeed a kind of fuel. If so, let’s say I spend about $1.00 on a cliff bar, muffin, or fruit. This means that the true cost savings may be closer to $0.75.
I can think of ways to make this cost-benefit calculation much more precise (and thus much more complex). The real cost of driving to work is considerably higher. The more I drive, the more the car depreciates and the more routine maintenance I have to perform. Further, once we look at the societal costs of driving vs. eating more, things get really controversial.
But I have comps next week, and I should probably start doing some real work.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Good teachers are undermining the war effort
McCain has taken a bold stand and opposed expanding tuition benefits available to those who are serving in the armed forces. His main argument against the proposal is that it will cause more soldiers to leave the military.
His statements point to a little talked about truth—that the sustenance of our modern, all volunteer military depends on the existence of a large population of people for whom college is unattainable.
McCain understands that a large proportion of enlisted soldiers would, if given the choice, chose college over extended military service. Military recruiters also know this; hence the rationale for targeting students who have fewer available options. Recruiters lean heavily on academically struggling schools, especially those with high percentages of poor students and minorities.
So what then would happen if our education system functioned the way it ought and every student, regardless of family background, had the option of attending college? If McCain opposes giving soldiers this option on the back end of their service, should he also oppose measures that would help give them the option on the front end? That is, should he oppose any legislation which makes it easier for minorities and poorer students to go to college (and thus reduce their chances of enlisting in the military)? By McCain’s logic, one might conclude that good teachers, those that open educational vistas to their students, threaten our military strength.
His statements point to a little talked about truth—that the sustenance of our modern, all volunteer military depends on the existence of a large population of people for whom college is unattainable.
McCain understands that a large proportion of enlisted soldiers would, if given the choice, chose college over extended military service. Military recruiters also know this; hence the rationale for targeting students who have fewer available options. Recruiters lean heavily on academically struggling schools, especially those with high percentages of poor students and minorities.
So what then would happen if our education system functioned the way it ought and every student, regardless of family background, had the option of attending college? If McCain opposes giving soldiers this option on the back end of their service, should he also oppose measures that would help give them the option on the front end? That is, should he oppose any legislation which makes it easier for minorities and poorer students to go to college (and thus reduce their chances of enlisting in the military)? By McCain’s logic, one might conclude that good teachers, those that open educational vistas to their students, threaten our military strength.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Song of the day
Say you've already read all the posts at Stuff White People Like and Piled High and Deeper.
You could get outside and enjoy the weather, but you'll probably just stay at the computer and hope that a wave of productivity will overtake you. In reality, you'll be checking Craigslist or your friends' blogs.
Fight the urge. Here is a better way to kill five minutes and lift your spirits. Especially for all my quant nerds out there.
Kerri--thanks for the link.
You could get outside and enjoy the weather, but you'll probably just stay at the computer and hope that a wave of productivity will overtake you. In reality, you'll be checking Craigslist or your friends' blogs.
Fight the urge. Here is a better way to kill five minutes and lift your spirits. Especially for all my quant nerds out there.
Kerri--thanks for the link.
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