Noticed the US version is less radically subtitled "A Rogue Sociologist Takes to the Streets". Seems to me that he definitely crossed professional lines though. Like the early sociologists at his University of Chicago ("Chicago School" means something different in sociology) Venkatesh became heavily involved in the life of the Chicago underclass in the Nineties, and with gang leader "J.T." in particular.

Has a fascinating depiction of life in the projects. The gangs there had essentially taken on the roles of the civic authorities: extracting tax from the illicit businesses, settling disputes, and organizing almost all aspects of life there. The police are depicted as distant and corrupt, chiefly interested shaking down gang members for cash and valuable. Building managers are heavily involved with the gangs, and one is depicted as running her own networks of patronage.

It's hinted that official politics is tied in with the gangs and bribery as in the Wire, but Venkatesh never manages to penetrate those networks.

The book is also compellingly written: this is the only non-fiction book in years that I've stayed up late to finish in one sitting.

Well worth reading.

Extract, extract, review, review, review, review, interview, interview.

Me
As I mentioned before, they've decided to inter my grandmother's ashes with her family in Gunnersbury ("Kensington") cemetery on 11th April. I thought this was a bad idea since I'm the only living relative anywhere near: would have been better in Bristol where more of the family live now. Didn't think it was worth fighting though, especially given the squabbling over the will.

It's not very accessible to anyone though. It's on the outskirts of London, hard to get to, surrounded by a wasteland of industrial estates and motorways. My mother's now decided the only nearby hotel is too expensive; I've got no space to put anyone up: it all seems to be turning into a organizational nightmare.

Depressed by the whole thing.

Economy and the Great Depression
So. The economic cycle has not ceased to exist. After an exceptionally long expansionary phase, we're probably moving into some sort of contractionary phase.

However, the length of the expansion does not necessarily imply a particularly long contraction. It's not possible to predict when the contraction will start or stop. But there's no reason to think that there's anything particularly unusual about it.

The difference this time is that we now have an increasingly hysterical blogosphere, media and general public. This seems to me to be being manipulated by bankers and traders looking for government bailouts. The chief way that they're doing this is by making comparisons with the Great Depression of the Thirties.

Now the characteristics of the Great Depression were:
1. A shortage of money. This led to:
2. Deflation.

This means if you're a banker looking to get your hands on free money, it's a good thing to bleat about. The Great Depression should have been dealt with by putting more money into circulation. (And eventually was, by abandoning the gold standard).

However, the situation we're in at the moment is almost the exact opposite. For years now, the government has put too much money in circulation. This was lent out by the banks to people who couldn't afford to pay it back. What we have had over the last few years is:
1. Too much money around. This is leading to:
2. Moderate inflation.

So, comparing the current situation to the Great Depression is a good way for bankers to campaign for free money from the government. But the current reality doesn't really look much like it to me.

YouTube
Wooden adding machine (3min)

Arthur C. Clarke's last birthday message (9min)

Web
Lore: Science vs Religion.

London most expensive city.

Economics: GDP per head figures.

Tech. Joel on web standards. Response, response. How the 1985 BBC globe worked.

Junk food ad bans not justified.