Politics & Current Affairs — July 26, 2010

Extending Unemployment Compensation

Nobel Laureate Gary Becker and Judge Richard Posner oppose the extension of unemployment benefits. Six months compensation is not enough, says Becker, but two years is too long.

bigthinkeditor

Nobel Laureate Gary Becker and Judge Richard Posner oppose the extension of unemployment benefits. Six months compensation is not enough, says Becker, but two years is too long. “About 9 months of unemployment compensation would be the right length. Anyone unemployed longer than that would lose these benefits. If they want to work they should be forced to adjust, at least temporarily, to the bad economic environment, and accept jobs that they would turn down during good economic times.”

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The great free will debate featuring Michio Kaku and Steven Pinker

Who — or what — really controls your mind?

Building destroyed by the Halifax Explosion. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.

The Past

The largest accidental explosion of all time

More than a century ago, Halifax suffered an accidental blast one-fifth the size of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

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7 min

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with

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