Today's Boston Globe articles

1. Legal System: http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/01/17/networking_of_jurors_trying_judges_patience/

A party's (esp. a criminal defendant's) right to a fair trial is more than important than a juror's right to know the facts and details extraneous to a deliberation. Judges should try their best to assure that the jury considers only admitted evidence in their finding of fact.

2. Public Right to Know: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2010/01/17/police_work_is_public_work/

I disagree: there are adequate means of public accountability, such as Right to Know laws. Plus, wouldn't surveillance interfere with police's ability to do their job, and how can one reliably distinguish "private" surveillance from "public"?

3. Afghanistan: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/01/17/dealing_with_brutal_afghan_warlords_is_a_mistake/

History also demonstrates that without a legitimate central government, which Afghanistan currently does not, warlords will be pervasive and powerful, thus necessitating dealing with them.

4. Classical Music: http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2010/01/17/composers_modern_version_of_the_passion_a_fitting_tribute_for_conductor/

Bach's work still inspires, and many have made arrangements. I will be interested in seeing how this one performs.

5. Work: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/01/17/the_end_of_the_office_and_the_future_of_work/

It will be a harrowing thought, esp. to the idea of stable "employment", but such practices will define the future. How individuals adapt will determine their success in the job marketplace.

6. Thinking and Reasoning: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2010/01/17/think_different_cia/

The fallacies aren't limited to CIA or Intelligence: all of us can benefit from questioning assumptions and looking for alternative explanations.

7. Books: http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2010/01/17/rage_against_the_machine/

I will be interested in reading the book, although I should remember that much have been written on the human condition vis-a-vis machines, but few offer answers (or any sustained hopes).