Don Taylor on Duke University's business model; Karen deLaski on low-status occupations; Michael Strong on the ultimate ends; Austin Scholar on what teenagers really want
I taught Electrical Engineering for 20 years. To prepare students for a career in stem:
Do well in math. Hans Bethe, a Nobel laureate in Physics said that taking Calculus in High School was the most important education thing he did. In High School you do in one year one semester of work. This give you a lot of time to drill on the techniques which gives you a leg up in College.
Build stuff. It doesn't mater too much what you build. The students that I thought were among the best were always building something, not just doing homework.
Always ask 'Is this going to be on the test?' It is important not to learn anything that isn't directly related to getting a better grade. (sorry I couldn't resist)
Duke’s endowment is controlled by DUMAC (Duke Management Corporation:https://dumac.duke.edu/) a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. It has been tax-exempt since October 1, 2011, and its tax ID is 90-0754895. As a 501(c)(3), donations to DUMAC are tax-deductible for donors. The organization files annual Form 990 returns with the IRS, the most recent of which that is available via the IRS web site search tool (https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/ )
Part VII shows one officer with annual compensation in excess of $4 million and 2 over $1 million, with DUMAC showing net assets of $6.8 million and gross receipts of $29 million.
Nice work if you can get it, but tax exempt? Just how low of 3rd world kleptocracy standards has the US sunk? Of course, any reform would require a competent US Congress, so the only thing one can count on is the pace of unfettered corruption and cronyism to accelerate.
But, one might argue, Duke University produces all kinds of great research findings that improve people’s lives. If the browser AI is any judge, not so much. The only substantive outcomes appear to be providing assistance to start-ups:
One would think there ought to be a lot more efficient ways to fund start-ups. And what is wrong with private investing?
It does seem as if the business of the US is not just rent-seeking, but maintaining and expanding an economic ecosystem of corruption and clientelism. Its hard to see how this is sustainable nor how one could conclude that the days of the republic are not numbered. Congress is certainly incapable of getting the train back on the tracks.
Two hunters are in the bush when a tiger runs toward them. The first starts to run. "You can't outrun a tiger", says the second. "I don't have to outrun the tiger; I just have to outrun you."
So many other countries are worse (and sometimes so much worse) that today's American dysfunction may well be sustainable.
I taught Electrical Engineering for 20 years. To prepare students for a career in stem:
Do well in math. Hans Bethe, a Nobel laureate in Physics said that taking Calculus in High School was the most important education thing he did. In High School you do in one year one semester of work. This give you a lot of time to drill on the techniques which gives you a leg up in College.
Build stuff. It doesn't mater too much what you build. The students that I thought were among the best were always building something, not just doing homework.
Always ask 'Is this going to be on the test?' It is important not to learn anything that isn't directly related to getting a better grade. (sorry I couldn't resist)
Duke’s endowment is controlled by DUMAC (Duke Management Corporation:https://dumac.duke.edu/) a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. It has been tax-exempt since October 1, 2011, and its tax ID is 90-0754895. As a 501(c)(3), donations to DUMAC are tax-deductible for donors. The organization files annual Form 990 returns with the IRS, the most recent of which that is available via the IRS web site search tool (https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/ )
is at: https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/900754895_202306_990_2024061122523867.pdf
Part VII shows one officer with annual compensation in excess of $4 million and 2 over $1 million, with DUMAC showing net assets of $6.8 million and gross receipts of $29 million.
Nice work if you can get it, but tax exempt? Just how low of 3rd world kleptocracy standards has the US sunk? Of course, any reform would require a competent US Congress, so the only thing one can count on is the pace of unfettered corruption and cronyism to accelerate.
But, one might argue, Duke University produces all kinds of great research findings that improve people’s lives. If the browser AI is any judge, not so much. The only substantive outcomes appear to be providing assistance to start-ups:
https://numbers.otc.duke.edu/start-ups/
One would think there ought to be a lot more efficient ways to fund start-ups. And what is wrong with private investing?
It does seem as if the business of the US is not just rent-seeking, but maintaining and expanding an economic ecosystem of corruption and clientelism. Its hard to see how this is sustainable nor how one could conclude that the days of the republic are not numbered. Congress is certainly incapable of getting the train back on the tracks.
I know this is an old joke but:
Two hunters are in the bush when a tiger runs toward them. The first starts to run. "You can't outrun a tiger", says the second. "I don't have to outrun the tiger; I just have to outrun you."
So many other countries are worse (and sometimes so much worse) that today's American dysfunction may well be sustainable.