In one of our previous prodigal lives, we were involved in urban policy research, and so it's fitting that we'd end up in a part of the city (and of the borough) where the inadequacy of social services is at times glaringly apparent. I came across a quietly excellent service hosted by Princeton University that re-broadcasts academic policy lectures from thinkers and policymakers around the world. This isn't for the faint of heart, it's is kind of like C-Span minus electoral politics with the entertainment value factored out. On the upside, it's educational and at times fascinating, and much cheaper (financially as well as spiritually) than attending academic colloquia. Of particular (if scant) relevance to this blog is FSU Sociologist Jill Quadagno's talk, Why the United States Has No National Health Insurance. For those of us who have had experience with The Freelancer's Union, this one hits close to home. My other personal favorite is Joseph Stiglitz's assesment of The True Costs of the Iraq War. Best of all, you can podcast these and listen to them on the ferry while everyone else is reading the Post.
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