Homo economicus’ Weblog

I have tried to repair broken image links in top read blogs, and add ones where none existed. Just to help make the whole blog look fresh and inviting.

If you find any broken links or missing images just comment on the relevant blog and I will fix it. Much appreciated in advance!

Google: Homo economicus. Right now, the blog is the second with Wikipedia’s definition entry topping. Not that I’m boasting.

That is because readership is about 2,000 a month; in the blog’s heyday a few years back it was 12,000. Conceivable that the new atheism that sparked up in 2007 is waning, or my going quiet for over a year made a loyal readership look elsewhere. The good news is I’m back.

So if you like what you read please do tell others, link on Twitter, Facebook. Share and enjoy, and thanks for all the fish.

First blog introduction

in the past I have highlighted others that use the same pseudonym as myself; dreading the day someone can claim that they used first. Not happened yet but this is the closest yet.

This Homo economicus is a PHD student in public policy, and real name Dany Bahar. Yet he has more of a focus on economics then myself although all us economics graduates do tend to view the world in a moral (not hap) hazard way due to our exposure.

As well as interesting blogs, good links to other economic blogs out there. Plus interest in the middle east in particular Israel. Though the title is a blog about nothing there is something for all to read. However it seems the last blog was in 2010. If you like what they were writing encourage them to take it up when they can again.

Will be adding to my blogroll if they become active again but you can see their blog here.

It has been a while since I wrote a blog. So a nine hour train journey from the West Country to the Midlands (thanks to Sunday engineering works) gives time which can be used to, literally right this wrong in a write way.

So a good place to start are comments which I have now gone through and approved. As usual the Jose Mestre and Jehovah’s Witnesses stance on blood transfusions has the most comment.

In the Blood

To have a substitue for blood in a critical blood loss situation would be brilliant; at the moment though it is only valid for minimal loss.

Health risks are nothing compared to being dead. Especially with death being a fatal condition with no after life healthcare coverage.

This is where my criticism of the religious refusal kicks in. As one who for many years was involved in going door to door in ministry work I do know the theological position, as I mention in another blog. The criminal act of letting your child die rather than give medical treatment, which gives them their only chance at living, is somehow countered with an after life faith in the resurrection. That spiritual care in whatever form has a priority over the material one.

The supernatural has no part in examing the best medical care for your child. A parent has no right to enforce their religious belief in this regard – their duty of care first and foremost is the life and physical well being of their child. Not what their interpretation of a text tells them.

Peace Out

Much as love, peace and understanding are good things the unnecessary death of a child cannot be allowed by a tolerance of religion or agreement that parents may give religious instruction to their children. It is a medical matter, and needs to be thought of in that way.

As to adults making the choice, it is their life to end as irrationally as they wish. In the same way that I can criticize that choice as being morally wrong, not with accord to the teachings of Jesus. The waste of a life, only serving as an example where belief in religion allows people to do things which for any other reason would shock more people to outrage.

My ability to tolerate belief is in the freedom of religion. That does not grant the liberty to inflict harm on those unable to reason for themselves with the ommission of medical care.

Comments

Thanks for the comments, keep them coming (whether you agree or not). When not on a train will link to the ones I am responding to here.

But please bear in mind two key points:

Argue with my points rather than personal comments – and if you do not know what a Homo economicus is think economics rather than sex.

Thanks guys …

Well I am enjoying the 3G iPhone in a way that may be seen as unseemly for a grown man over a gadget. The last time this feeling came over me was the PSP being launched.

The key difference this time round is that communication is now more important to me than the ability to play with a frivolous distraction. I suppose that may well be the reflection of a 30 year old man that worries about pension contributions and keeping in touch with friends then a 20 something eager for the next fix of hedonistic joy at his finger tips.

Not that the iTunes and iPod features will go to waste. Nor the facebook and myspace features. Or the other features.

3G iPhone - the most fun you can have with your hands in public

And as you probably can guess this is my first blog written on the iPhone. Hopefully, this may well lead to more blogs.

However in these troubled financial times, sacrifices have had to be made. The gym membership will be cancelled. Regular cycling and a veggie lifestyle will have to be enough. [I am working on enough sleep at night and water during the day]

Not least because playing football yesterday has led me to believe that I shall never walk with my usual stride. The bank l work for sponsored children’s clubs in a tournament – a knockabout for a few hours with work colleagues when not refereeing.

I am convinced that physical exercise is to be avoided as I cannot run away from it fast enough.

The above blog is brought to you without any endorsement of any kind; but out of a device that has connected me not just to other people, but to the love of technology as being about helping you with your life rather than taking it over.

1. Have your own TV show that mentions your blog, or get it mentioned on air:

Actually I could do with some advice on creating the illusion of space in my house ...

2. Write about things that matter to real people: like pets, gardening, weddings, DIY

3. Being a well known celebrity will help with interest in your blog; be famous

4. Have a team of experts and managers for your blog; delegation secret to success

5. Get advertising, like for example plugging a Cannon Camera, to help with costs

6. Get a link with other sites similar to yours so you can direct traffic to each other

7. Use WordPress for your blog, as used by Martha.

The rest can be found on her blog here. In fairness Martha Stewart is the sort of celebrity that could get your parents blogging. Which may mean that your blog tries to sort out social justice and human rights issues when your mum asks for a link to her latest blog on cross stitching patterns for Christmas.

Freedom of expression – it does have a price