Poll Post

You can comment on this week's poll here, if you so desire.

Poll Post

You can comment on this week's poll here, if you so desire. And yes, it was deliberately designed to be the complete opposite of the Facebook quiz.

Poll Post

You can comment on this week's poll here.

Poll Post

Open thread on this week's poll.

Poll Post

You can comment on this week's poll here, if you so desire.

Remember, I'm not asking whose show is funnier. I'm simply asking which person is funnier. There's a distinction there.

Poll Post

You can leave your comments on this week's poll here, if you so desire.

Ladies, please remember there is no reason to be overly jealous of Fatima Bhutto's hotness and repeatedly clicking "other". Indeed, I didn't even put her up as an option because she's too pretty for me to treat her that way.

Poll Post, And An Announcement

You can comment on this week's post here, if you wish.

Also, just letting you guys know I won't be blogging for the next week since I'm taking a vacation. So you won't hear until from me until next Thursday, unless Bilawal is caught in a sex scandal with Michael Jackson or something.

When I come back, I have a few things I'd like to get to with regards to blogging:

1. Finishing up my analysis of why there's an elite in cricket.
2. Talking about what the hell Real are doing in the transfer market (in case you didn't know, they friggin' signed Benzema today), and how (or if it all) it affects Barca next year.
3. An analysis of the civil war in 1971, with particular reference to Husain Haqqani's treatment of the entire episode in his book.
4. A conversation with my friend (and fellow PhD Poli Sci student) Lindsey on higher education, and the changes we would like to see in academia.

AKS and Bubs, it's all you. Take care guys, and see you soon.

Poll Post

This week's poll was inspired by AKS' post last week, which engendered a lively discussion in the comments section. I figured there was only one way to decide once and for all: putting it up for a vote. You can comment on the poll here if you want.

Poll Post

You can comment on the poll here, if you so please.

Poll Post

If you would like to comment on this week's poll, please do so here.

Poll Post

You can comment on the poll here.

p.s. And no, before any of you smartasses ask, I'm not asking from personal experience. Though the 5-7 white hairs on my head are true cause for concern, no doubt.

Poll Post

You can comment on the poll here, if you so desire.

Poll Post

You can comment on the poll here, if you so desire.

Poll Post

You can comment on the poll here, if you so desire.

Poll Post

You can comment on the poll here, if you so desire.

Poll Post

You can comment on the poll on this thread.

Wednesday Poll: Worst Point Of The Week And Worst TV Show Ever

After a long hiatus, the Wednesday poll is back.

Last time we asked what the worst point of the week is: Monday morning, Wednesday afternoon, or Sunday evening. 53% of respondents said Sunday evening, representing the end of the weekend and the dread of the oncoming work week, was the worst. Monday morning and Wednesday afternoon split the second-place vote.

This week, in honor of the release of Sex and the City, we want to know: which is the worst television show ever created? Is it (a) Desperate Housewives, (b) Grey's Anatomy, or (c) Sex and the City? Let us know what you think.

Wednesday Poll: Tipping And Worst Day Of The Week

The votes are in.

Last week we asked whether or not tipping should be banned, and the cost of service simply included in the final bill. The argument for the proposition was that the appropriate amount to tip depends greatly on social and cultural contexts, and thus leaves great potential for confusion, resentment, and guilt. The argument for the opposition was that there's no great harm in tipping, and that it incentivizes good service. In a Florida 2000-type result, "acceptable" beat "should be banned" 19-17.

This week we want to know what the crappiest point in the week is. Is it (a) Sunday evening - "Goddamnitt, I don't BELIEVE the weekend is over"; (b) Monday morning - "Fuck"; or (c) Wednesday afternoon - "So near yet so far"? Let us know what you think.

Wednesday Poll: Global Warming And Tipping

The votes are in.

Our last poll asked what you thought of global warming and, in particular, humankind's ability to solve it. Did you think that (a) the problems of collective action, free-riding, and short term costs vs. long term benefits make it next to impossible to deal with, or (b) that we're an intelligent species that has solved a number of grave issues in our time on this planet, and will therefore figure something out about climate change too? In a relative landslide, (a) beat (b) 72% to 28%. So our readers basically think we're doomed. I, by the way, am inclined to agree.

This week we want to know about the practice of tipping. Specifically, should it be outlawed? I ask because I consider tipping to be an extremely annoying practice that often causes confusion (for everyone), resentment (for those being tipped) and guilt (for those doing the tipping). Given different cultural and social contexts, different amounts or percentages are considered appropriate. Why not scrap the whole deal and simply include the price of service in the cost of the product (I never once tipped in Paris restaurants because they include the gratuity in the bill)? This will ensure simplicity and preclude the possibility of hard feelings.

On the other hand, many consider tipping to be perfectly fine, and a valuable way to incentivize good service. With the promise of a tip at the end of a service provided, the thinking goes, you are more likely to receive good service. In addition, it is considered a nice way to show appreciation for those invariably making less money than you (waiters, the people who carry your bags in hotels, cabbies).

So what say you, loyal readers? Should tipping be banned or is it fine the way it is?

Wednesday Poll: Centers Of The World And Global Warming

Thanks to Naqiya's snide comments, I will merely list the results from last week's poll and move on to this week's question.

We asked which city is most likely to replace New York, if any, as the center of the world by 2030. The results were as follows:

Shanghai - 29%
Dubai - 24%
London - 18%
New York - 18%
Mumbai - 5%
Moscow - 3%

This week, we want your opinion on global warming and the threat it poses to humankind. What do you think the future holds? Are we doomed because how acute the problems of collective action, free riding, and natural shortsightedness are? Or do you believe that since human ingenuity has figured out solutions to most problems in the past, we'll figure this one out too? Let us know what you think.