CRYHUGHES

“Zombies are blue-collar monsters”

-George A Romero

The evolution of my research interests: Zombie Mathematics (link to paper through M-Revolution).

Everyone modeling infectious diseases does this does this at some point, but these students actually took it through publication.  Outstandingly absurd, and easily my favorite read this week.

By the graphs I am assuming they modeled with iThink.

“No man is an island… because no man can afford to be”

-John Donne

While the cost of most of life’s necessities (food, shelter) have continued to decrease as a percentage of the first-world budget, the cost of healthcare has risen defiantly.  Regardless of one’s stance on the system of delivery, healthcare coverage itself is an undeniable need for every individual.

Its not my place to add to the tired debate, but I did find this CEPR study on the consequences of the present system interesting: it is the american entrepreneur who suffers.

Despite its societal prestige, measures of entrepreneurship within American significantly lags the rest of the developed world.  Self-employment, employment within small manufacturing, and small software companies rank near the bottom of all advanced nations.

Why?

The authors hypothesize the high cost of healthcare discourages the formation of small businesses.  Essentially tracing the decline of American entrepreneurship to its systematic reliance on corporately provided healthcare.  Unable to afford health insurance individually, would-be entrepreneurs choose to remain at corporate posts where health insurance is guaranteed.

Another population segment affected by the system of delivery are divorced woman, and those who would otherwise seek a divorce.

Extending these conclusions proposes the hypothesis that privatized healthcare restricts the individuals freedom of choice by binding them to their source of insurance.  Thus village is sustained, and the archipelago prevented.  Twisted?

Update:

Economist View citing a WSJ article on the topic.