Author Archives: mkevane

First, contrary to Diamond’s claim, there is nothing that contradicts tropical medicine and agricultural science in claiming that these are not major factors shaping differences in national prosperity. That these geographic factors cannot by themselves account for prosperity is illustrated … Continue reading →

Van Der Merwe is what’s become known around the world as a “microbrewer” – a rarity in Africa, where the beer industry is dominated by immense corporations that mass-produce the continent’s most popular alcoholic beverage. He’s at the vanguard of … Continue reading →

Gonja Meat Company is a vertically integrated agribusiness engaged in the slaughter, processing and sale of fresh hygienic meat. The existing practices in Ghana’s meat industry hardly meet food safety standards. Gonja seeks to produce high quality and affordable meats … Continue reading →

Emeka Okafor is an entrepreneur and venture catalyst who lives in New York City.He is the curator of Maker Faire Africa.He was the director for TED Global 2007 that took place in Arusha,Tanzania.In addition he is a member of the … Continue reading →

I read about this company, SoleRebels, co-founded by Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, from Ethiopia.  I famously don’t buy or need anything.  I mean it… I’m an original frugal recycler child of Depression-age-parents-type …. But I am tempted to buy some shoes … Continue reading →

MITT ROMNEY’S latest controversial remark, about the role of culture in explaining why some countries are rich and powerful while others are poor and weak, has attracted much comment. I was especially interested in his remark because he misrepresented my … Continue reading →

Dropbox has turned into a big scam where you strategize and pay for attic space to store junk… know what I mean?  It’s beneath us!

“By taxing estates heavily at death the State marks its condemnation of the selfish  millionaire’s unworthy life. It is desirable that nations should go much further in this direction.” See the original article “Wealth” in The North American Review Volume … Continue reading →

Chinese Leader Calls for Strong Moves to Offset Slowdown Source: NY Times Premier Wen Jiabao of China warned on Sunday of “huge downward pressure” on the Chinese economy, in the clearest expression yet of concern at the top of the … Continue reading →

Saw this while on a hike to Duck Lake, near Lake Alpine, up past Arnold, CA.  Very striking.

The other day on “On the Media” with Brooke Gladstone, I hear while driving up to San Francisco, a story from Radiolab about positive publication bias and regression to the mean.  The story involves a study done some years ago … Continue reading →

I knew it.  But the social scientist in me says he doesn’t really offer details about this evidence.  How would it be obtained, one wonders? Randomized trials from birth to age 25? Track the Reading West Africa students for ten … Continue reading →

Azaz Shami ‏@3ozaz Salama Wardani to be deported out of Sudan #SudanRevolts via (13) Twitter / Search – #SudanRevolts.