You might say American workers have declared a national general strike until they get better pay and improved working conditions.

October 12, 2021 (aka Ada Lovelace Day) Ada Lovelace (1815 – 1852) is recognized for many remarkable attributes and affiliations, not only as a precursor of what came to be modern computer programming but also as the daughter of poet Lord Byron and friend to notable Victorian intellectuals like Charles Babbage, Charles Dickens, Michael Faraday … Continue reading »

Today marked Cal Performances’ return to in-person indoor concerts, and what an opening to the regular 2021/22 season! Tessa Lark on violin and Amy Yang on piano delivered inspiring, sensitive, bravura performances of bold and refreshing repertoire that should call us all back to the concert hall. I realize that concert reviews are not typical … Continue reading »

Merit, Access, and Opportunity: A Personal Perspective   Amid growing concern about unequal access and opportunity in education and the economy, it is natural for people to shape their perspective based on their life history. Here I present my perspective based on my own experience and some ideas about policy intervention.   I was born … Continue reading »

Recently, a statue at West Point was unveiled honoring the service of the 9th and 10th Colored Cavalry, the famed “Buffalo Soldiers”. Earlier that week, the government of Richmond, Virginia, removed a monumental statue honoring the hero of the Confederacy, General Robert E. Lee. The statue of Lee was erected in 1890 and was the … Continue reading »