The links to the stories summarized on this page are time sensitive, so stories might no longer be online at that URL. We also include links to the original source publication itself.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
1. Politics Blog: Excloo! President of UC Berkeley Math Club comes out as a DREAMer — and explains the math of immigration reform (VIDEO)
San Francisco Chronicle Online
Undocumented Korean-born mathematics student Terrence Park has issued a video that is part of “The Dream is Now,” a creative effort started by Steve Jobs' widow, Laureen Powell Jobs, which aims to build support for a path to earned citizenship for young, undocumented immigrants nationwide. His video, "The Economic Argument for the Dream Act," uses simple math to compare the cost of deporting 2.1 million undocumented "Dream" students to the economic benefit they would contribute as citizens. Link to video. Full Story
2. Reaction mixed to Obama's bid to hike minimum wage
Los Angeles Times
A story about President Obama's controversial proposal to raise the federal minimum wage says: "Obama probably received solid backing on the idea from the chief of his Council of Economic Advisers, Alan Krueger. As a Princeton professor with economist David Card of Berkeley, Krueger did case studies that found that raising the minimum wage did not lead to increased unemployment." Full Story
3. Wonkblog: Economists disagree on whether the minimum wage kills jobs. Why?
New York Times Online (*requires registration)
Economists disagree on what happens when the minimum wage is increased. Providing evidence for the view that it has no effect at all is a 2010 paper by Berkeley economists Andrajit Dube, William Lester, and Michael Reich. Full Story
4. Editorial: Governor should do more for housing industry
San Francisco Chronicle
This editorial responds to Governor Jerry Brown's remarks at a Berkeley-hosted summit on the future of California's housing market, where he "made it clear" that helping the housing market recover was not going to be a priority in his economic plan. The editors conclude: "But that still leaves the matter of the many, many Californians who are struggling to either keep or buy a home. It's easy to say that these people can continue waiting, either for the banks to get their review processes in order or for the federal government to do more to help them, but this is still a very large group - large enough to put undue pressure on the state's dwindling supply of rental stock, and large enough to depress the state's overall economic growth. ... Like it or not, the fate of housing is a matter of public policy in California." Full Story
5. Obama addresses Silicon Valley concerns
San Francisco Chronicle
A story about Silicon Valley concerns that President Obama referred to in his State of the Union address mentions his proposed one billion dollars for 15 "manufacturing innovation institutes." One way California will be in on the quest for some of that federal spending will be explored on March 12, at Berkeley, when the College of Engineering and Materials Science hosts the first of three workshops "to identify an advanced manufacturing technology focus for a potential federal grant proposal ... to lower the cost of production and increase scalability of technologies in the growing areas of energy, health care and national security sectors of the U.S. economy." Full Story
6. Forum with Michael Krasny: What Makes a Good Preschool?
KQED Radio
Psychology and philosophy professor Alison Gopnik joins a discussion of President Obama's call in his State of the Union address for every child in the U.S. to receive a high-quality preschool education. Professor Gopnik is the author of The Philosophical Baby: What Children's Minds Tell Us About Truth, Love and the Meaning of Life. Link to audio. Full Story
7. Op-Ed: An open letter to the president on gun control
Contra Costa Times (*requires registration)
Berkeley writing lecturer Tess Taylor writes an open letter to President Obama expressing her fear and sorrow over gun violence, concluding: "Every child deserves to grow up to live their dream. I want you to know how much we want you to change the laws, and how hard we'll work to support you as you do. Don't let us down. You have the fervent prayers of parents everywhere behind you. ... Come on, Barack. Yes we must. Yes we can." Full Story
8. Oakland Struggles to Cope as Crime Surges
Wall Street Journal (*requires registration)
Law professor Justin McCrary notes that research shows poverty is associated with higher crime rates in the long run, but that doesn't explain the recent increase in crime in Oakland, which he says could be linked to the city's smaller police force. Full Story
9. Free Exchange: Middle-income claptrap
The Economist
Papers co-authored by Berkeley economics professor Barry Eichengreen are cited in a story about the so-called "middle-income trap" of economies that are latecomers to industrialization, make quick progress, and then lose their way. Full Story
10. Liberal Label Gives Way To Progress(ive)
KPBS
Linguistics professor George Lakoff is interviewed about political labels, particularly the distinction between liberals and progressives. Link to audio. Full Story
11. How Should Investors Stop Themselves From Reacting to Short-Term Market Events?
Wall Street Journal (*requires registration)
A panel of experts is asked how investors could stop themselves from reacting to short-term market events, which has been shown to have deleterious effects on investment portfolios. Berkeley business and finance professor Terrance Odean says: "My advice would be to not check your funds' performance more than once a quarter. There may be exceptional circumstances that require more frequently monitoring. Personally, I review the performance of funds I hold about once a year. And I make changes far less often." Full Story
12. Apple University hires another prominent academic to teach Steve Jobs' thinking
Apple Insider
Information professor Morten Hansen has been hired by Apple University, with the stipulation that he continue to teach one course per semester at Berkeley. Apple University, which provides continuing education for Apple employees, was the brainchild of Steve Jobs. Full Story
13. Bay Area weekend picks, Feb. 14-17
San Francisco Chronicle
Cal Performances' presentation of the Australian Circus Oz is highlighted as a weekend entertainment pick. Full Story