Prices on Professorships

Putting a Price on Professorships:
Full article found here:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703735804575536322093520994.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

The issues of teachers being graded and paid on performance has been on my brain lately.  There have been a few examples in the news lately that I've noticed.  Most notably Gov. Chris Christy of New Jersey going against the teachers union on the issue (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303550904575562712354459830.html?KEYWORDS=chris+christie).

Why is this such a big deal to people?  Why shouldn't teachers be graded on their performance and paid accordingly?  Why should education be seen as exempt from normal practices?

The original article of this post was in regard to professors "profitability" for their respective universities  Awesome idea if you ask me.  Why?  I'm not totally sure why I like the idea so much, other then it is more knowledge about the situation, and allows companies er colleges to make wise decisions.  Some oppose the idea though:
"This new emphasis has raised hackles in academia. Some professors express deep concern that the focus on serving student "customers" and delivering value to taxpayers will turn public colleges into factories. "

Why are students not considered customers by academia?  Why should academia  be above the law in how they treat their consumers?  Why the snobbery so commonly seen?

Is there a fundamental problem with colleges being run as corporations?  If they were to be run as a business then teaching is the primary revenue generation, with research and (hopefully) resulting royalties providing additional income?  Why is this considered such a sin?  Really, I went to PSU and graduated because I desired the education, I paid/invested in it as a long term product I would use for the rest of my life, I was the consumer in the equation, and could have left or stop supporting the business at any time

Thoughts?  Why would a corporate model not work?  Research is motivated to find and develop products or knowledge, so colleges would continue to fund it (much like GE, P&G and General Mills do to develop knowledge)

What do you think?  What objections are their from outside academia?  What comments are their from inside academia?  What do you think of your education and how it might have been affected if a corporate model was employed?

Giant's games, Christmas Trees and a Soaking wet Moon!

Watching Baseball Through 'Knothole' Isn't Naughty When Giants Play

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303339504575566763748230210.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsForth


Knothole at SF Giant's ballgame: Pretty cool idea and thing to do in SF.  Easy way to see part (or all) of a game in a unique way.

It'll Be a Sad Christmas if Wyoming Can't Rustle Up Some Ornaments

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304023804575566083738082318.html?mod=ITP_TEST

Apparently each state takes a turn to send a tree and 5000 ornament to Washington DC.  Montana is having troubles.  It has only 109 people per each ornament needed, and their short.  On the other hand the $100,000 to ship the tree to DC is no problem apparently.


Moon not only has Water, But Lots of It
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303339504575566194097878552.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

Caution:  Those who are afraid of water avoid the MOON at all cost!  It's dripping with it apparently!

Thank goodness Obama put down the moon landing option!  Japan doesn't really have much business trying to do moon landing either...in fact most countries don't have much business shooting stuff into space with current budget issues...

$50,000 to send one pound to the moon...That actually sounds like a good deal.  if it was 49,900 I would certainly be interested in sending something there.  Think of the possibilities! A chance to send earth junk were no junk has gone before.  We could send....um....water lilies (for all the water), bottles of dehydrated water (just add water) and life jackets...to protect people in the event of a solar melting.

America's Best Bathroom

http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2010/09/15/americas-best-bathroom-er-throned/

Idea's for a new project?

Don't let the bed bugs bite

http://blogs.wsj.com/juggle/2010/09/12/and-dont-let-the-bedbugs-bite/

Proof that bed bugs are real, prevalent, and not just the subject of Squirrel Nut Zipper's songs.

Glass house

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704868604575433410650321600.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

Pretty interesting house in CA. All glass walls. The tile in the bathroom is insane.

Short Evening Reading

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704268004575417351686379586.html?mod=ITP_pageone_0

Selling F-15s to Saudi Arabia - Good idea to help keep Iran in check, but Isreal is worried...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704388504575419542307824622.html?mod=WSJ_newsreel_business

Verizon, Google Map Traffic Plans - FCC gave up control in 2002 and now wants it back....So normal.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703428604575419661895814230.html?mod=WSJ_newsreel_technology

Sam's club to use Wi-Fi to push TV's - Also talks about stores improving Wi-Fi in stores so that people can comparison shop on the go. Logical, good move into the future.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704723604575378994073791142.html?mod=WSJ_hps_InDepthCarousel_1

Rogue Tailor Needles Savile Row, Gets Himself a (Law)Suit - Handsewn suits for 3,100. Nice. but is it too discounted?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704388504575419421407147424.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

Hilary Clinton for VP? - Blame Biden. Also blame somebody else instead of accepting responsibility.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704268004575417572159585144.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

IPhone Executive is out at Apple. - Logical

Rent a Leaf: Enterprise Buys Nissan Leafs

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704700404575391602609091276.html?mod=WSJ_auto_MiddleThirdHighlights

Enterprise, the car rental company is purchasing 500 of the Nissan Leafs. The leafs are a purely electric car, which might make sense for some, it doesn't to me for a rental company...I can hear the customer support call right now.

Enterprise: Hello, welcome to enterprise, how may I direct your call?

Person in car: Um, yea, Uh, I am renting one of the leafs and it seems to have leafed me.

E: Ah, very interesting. Could you explain? I don't understand what you mean by leafed.

P: Well, is the same situation as when your parking meter is blinking "expired"

E: Parking meters? We don't take responsibility for parking charges.

P: I know that, its just the car has leafed, it has died it has expired.

E: You mean the car won't start?

P: You could call it that

E: Ah, so whats the meter read?

P: DOR

E: DOR? I don't understand that

P: Dead On Red

E: So how can I help you, it sounds like your battery is dead.

P: Exactly. I would like a running car.

E: Well, can you plug it in?

P: Sure, when I get back to my hotel

E: Where is that?

P: 96 miles away

E: Hum, thats a difficulty.

P: Yea, you said the car had a 100 mile range.

E: Range...total...Not round trip

P: You didn't tell me that wasn't round trip

E: Yes I did, it was in the fine print.

P: You expected me to read that?

E: You signed, but enough of the small talk. We need to get you home. I will send a truck out to jump start your battery and get you on your way.

P: Jump start? Really?

E: Oh, yea...It leafed my mind about that whole...electric thing...

What is your opinion? Are electric cars a possibility? Is the Leaf worthwhile?