Love Reading--天薇凉的阅读日志

天薇凉UID: 3403940

July 23rd NYT
Let's shake up the social science
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/2 ... -sciences.html?_r=0

It is a passage focused on the construction of teaching and research in social science. Natural sciences continuously developed during recent years, from classic physics to new areas, areas combined physics with chemistry or chemistry with biology. In contrast, social science subjects seem to still stay in their spot without much progress. Some concentrate on political science--unequality or something, however, focusing on them could not help to solve those problems. Instead, newly-emerged subjects such as evolutionary psychology, behavioral economics, settle pioneer example for the change of social science subjects. It not only benefits the development of social sciences but also promotes students to learn as natural science students. It calls for a change of the social science department.

天薇凉UID: 3403940

July 24th NYT opinions
Debate: Should cities specialize?
http://www.nytimes.com/roomforde ... ialize/?ref=opinion

People don't just follow money
The professor provides the example of living in Atlantas and NYC, while in NYC you could earn more, you should pay more for your life in this city. In contrast, especially for those retired, you could earn less in cities as Atlantas but you would live more comfortable there.

Local economies are only part of the story: Educational resources and stability of families have far more effect on how well young people do later in life.
The professor focuses on the children and their future.
Here we engage with the concept "mobility"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobility

Economic mobility, of individuals or families to improve their economic status

From those low-paid parents, they would better seek a city would could proffer low-cost but relatively high quality child-care and education. Education and family structure matter a lot for children's growing.

Resources and Services define a city: The loss of diversity caused by the convergence in local institutions and cultures may signal a move toward a more cohesive nation in time.

People prone to value diversity of cities and cultures as they like varieties in food.
The professor explains the similarity with the mobility of resources among divergent areas. Before 1950s, cities cooperate and specialize because they have to exchange resources for fundamental demands, while now because of the mobility of resources, they could produce most of their needs by collecting the raw material and produce themselves.

He also lists some non-economic factors--local political institution and culture. The trend of similarity may augur a cohesive nation in time.