The start of something big

So I was going to write my thoughts on this Megan McArdle post regarding race/IQ issue. Fortunately for the reader, I was totally unable to articulate my thoughts effectively so instead I'll say briefly that: I don't agree with her that the question of race/IQ matters. In fact, I strongly believe the question does not matter from a policy standpoint and is, in fact, totally counterproductive. I always wonder why these questions aren't accompanied with studies comparing IQs of Irish-Americans to Scottish-Americans. Why would that be any less relevant from a policy standpoint? The reason we don't see those types of studies, I think, is because studies that try to inform social policy are usually interested in looking at things that social policy can actually change. Switching that focus to uninformative generalizations about unchangeable personal characteristics seems to me to have no conceivable constructive social policy implication. The only real purpose for such examinations is to attempt to justify a "See? There's nothing we can do" approach… But the whole point of developing social policy is that we've already decided we CAN do something to address societal problems.

Well enough ramblings on subjects I said I wasn't going to write about. On to the real purpose of my post: my first annual Semi-Weekly Favorite Wikipedia Entries List (SWFWEL). This new, eagerly anticipated* feature will showcase a few of my favorite Wikipedia pages along with brief comments from yours truly. Without further ado, on to the links:

1. The Moscone-Milk Assassinations (my apologies to those who I've already bored with this link). This story has it all: political intrigue, murderous plots, and of course the Twinkie Defense.
2. Mothman. Also the basis of a movie that I've never seen. Really bizarre and really interesting. You'll find Mothman right below "Don't enjoy mine work" in my Reasons to Not to Live in West Virginia list.

Doug's Know Your Bloggers Wikipedia Entry

3. Hamilton, New Zealand home of everyone's favorite blogger from Cowtown, Ben Geritsen. My favorite quote: " However, Hamilton still struggles with the arguably undeserved nickname of 'Cowtown' due to its conservative rural background and relative lack of entertainment for a city its size. A more common nickname of "Hamiltron: the city of the future" is a gently ironic epithet for the city."

*I don't actually know this is eagerly anticipated, but it certainly stands to reason.