Penn State film grad John Pupola has just put together this video, "Fear the Boom and Bust." It's a rap battle between two dead economists (in modern times), F.A. Hayek and John Maynard Keynes, rapping about economics. It's amusing and compelling to listen to, through all seven minutes. If you want the definition of creativity, look no further.
Read the full post for the video.
Penn State has asked that a federal judge drop the lawsuit against several University police officers filed by Penn State Student Chris Ferry, one of the participants of the Mifflin Streak last year. He's suing for $150,000 in damages for a concussion he suffered after he was tackled by police during the streak, saying his shoulder never healed properly, a year and a half after the fact.
Penn State's reaction is appropriate; this suit is absolutely ridiculous. Ferry seems to be suffering from a case of green fever, and I don't think there's a judge in these United States who'd find him entitled to that heap of money. Seriously, Chris, what did you think would happen? The vast majority of streakers get leveled, either by a police officer or by, at a football game, for example, one of the players on the field, and the general public has usually applauded the tackler. Sorry that your shoulder had a few permanent effects from breaking the law. What did you think was going to happen? Even partially clothed, look what happens to this streaker at a Tampa Bay Rays game.
This shows that the trend is continuing that people think they can just sue for anything to get a large bit of extra cash. Penn State certainly has bigger fish to fry, and so does the federal justice system.
We've been inundated with "Climategate" lately, but not with what the man at the center of the controversy, Penn State meteorology professor Michael Mann, has to say, apart from a few short clips. However, Mann has published an open letter defending himself and his work in this month's issue of the magazine Voices of Central Pennsylvania. He asserts himself from the very first sentence of the letter: "Climate change is real."
Mann says he welcomes scientific debate and a healthy skepticism, but contrasts this with what he's called the "contrarianism" of stubborn skeptics who refuse to believe anything about climate change or to do anything about it, even pointing out an instance where one of his published works fell on the more skeptical side regarding climate change. And of course, he addresses the email hullabaloo.
So what does Mann have to say? Read on to find out!
The Penn State panel in charge of investigating the so-called "Climategate" emails of Professor Michael Mann has announced the end of their investigation. Dr. Mann's email correspondence with Dr. Phil Jones of the University of East Anglia in the U.K. was leaked late last November. Dr. Mann's work was considered to be some of the most important evidence for human-induced climate change, until allegations surfaced from these emails that he had falsified the data suggesting that theory.
A Penn State panel of faculty and staff was tapped to look into the matter, which has gotten worldwide attention, including that of the United Nations. University of East Anglia also conducted their own investigation of Dr. Jones. About three weeks ago, former CIA agent Kent Clizbe launched his own private investigation of Dr. Mann, but was obviously limited in his powers, as he is now a private citizen.
Penn State has said they will announce their findings later this week, though they had previously flirted with the idea of keeping those findings confidential, in the interest of protecting their faculty member. However, even with the public release, some have pointed out flaws in the method of the investigation, namely who the investigators are. Quoted in the Collegian, Samuel Settle, a member of the conservative group Young Americans for Freedom (previously featured in Onward State Stories), said that Penn State has put "an awful lot of power in the hands of three [Penn State employees] with no external oversight."
Get the full story after the jump.
As we round the turn into a new decade, the federal government is starting that tradition again of making you fill out the Census. To take care of the delinquents who don't, the Census Bureau is hiring census takers this spring. It's really a great job for college students; it doesn't involve dealing with crazy government bureaucracy as you might think when you hear the words "government job." It's a steal, really, because you get paid (in State College, at least) $11.75 an hour to go around to certain houses who didn't fill out their census forms and ask them the very same questions, but at the same time, it looks great on a résumé. You pretty much make your own hours, too, so you don't have to adjust from college time to working world time.
Find out more about the job and how to apply after the jump.
No matter what NPR says, many employers tap into the Penn State talent pool. The difficult part is matching yourself with companies looking for your type of skill set.
Career Services has set up the Nittany Lion Career Network, a new Access Account based portal that allows you to create a profile listing information valuable for potential employers: your major, coursework, résumé, etc. It's basically Monster but for Penn State. It is also helpful even if you're not looking for a full-time job; there are listings for internships around the country and part-time jobs near State College.
NLCN will send you announcements about career fairs, workshops or other job-related events that it may behoove you to attend. Keeping with the theme, it's all personalized. It isn't for everyone though. The site suggests that students in Smeal, EMS, IST, or Eberly register with their college, not with NLCN.