Texas study finds Texas produces too many studies

Oh yes... this one is just perfect.

A new 668-page report by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission found that the state of Texas produces too many reports.

In the past, the state produced about 400 reports as mandated by the Legislature. But the commission found more than 1,600 of them in it's 18-month study of the studies.

According to an Associated Press story:

"State Records Administrator Michael Heskett's initial findings indicate more than 400 report requirements are obsolete, duplicative or not needed as frequently as now required."

Way to go! A report saying there's too many reports.

Cheers,
-SueVo

Employers look for people with skills... Really?

Here's one from the no duh department...

This study, from OfficeTeam, notes that employers are looking for people with skills. Who woulda thought?

Here's a gem of a quote from their press release:

“A competitive hiring environment has led to increased demand for administrative professionals with advanced skills and experience,” said Diane Domeyer, executive director of OfficeTeam. “Companies are offering higher compensation and other benefits to attract highly skilled candidates - especially those who possess strong industry knowledge and are a good fit with the organization.”

The study, part of the group's 2008 salary guide, also found that employees with more skills made more money.

Oh really?

Thanks for the info, guys.

Cheers,
-SueVo

Help! Alien bacteria are attacking!

Here's a little gem of science fun from my buddy Amedeo. The bacteria, it seems, are trying to turn us all into pod people.

I'm sure there's value in this somewhere, but on my scale of preferred things to think about - well this is down pretty damn low.

From the Wired story "People are Human-Bacteria Hybrid" we get this:

"More than 500 different species of bacteria exist in our bodies, making up more than 100 trillion cells. Because our bodies are made of only some several trillion human cells, we are somewhat outnumbered by the aliens. It follows that most of the genes in our bodies are from bacteria, too."

If they were made of metal, at least then we could call ourselves cyborgs. What does this mean we are? Bactoborgs?

Cheers,
-SueVo

America's reaction to non-existant technology

If you're eager to get a brain implant that will let you access the Internet, you're not entirely alone - about 11 percent of poll responders want one too.

Not that it matters, though, because such technology doesn't exist yet.

But when it does - I guess the market potential has already been laid out.

Cheers to the folks at Zogby International/463 Communications for bringing us this data, and more:

-SueVo

Go Cyborgs: In the survey, men were much more eager than women to get an Internet-surfing brain implant. 17 percent of men said they were up for it, compared with only 7 percent of women.

My virtual man: 24 percent of Americans in the poll said the Internet could serve as a replacement for a significant other. The percentage was highest among singles, of which 31 percent said it could be a substitute.

What about a behavior control chip: About 20 percent of the respondants were willing to insert a chip into a child 13 or younger to help track them if they are lost, abducted, or just tend not to be where they are supposed to be. Nearly one in five Americans said they would do so to track a child’s whereabouts. Interestingly, there was no difference in opinion among parents who had younger children and those who did not.

God in the machine: Ten percent said the Internet made them closer to God, while 6 percent said it made them more distant. Those who call themselves “Born Again” were the most likely to feel it affected them spiritually. Twenty percent of Born Agains said it made them closer while 11 percent said it made them more distant from God.

Happy Halloween

So I actually found some of the information from this Associated Press/Ipsos study about superstition interesting - but once it gets into the minutia it goes way downhill.

Check out this bit of information from the Associated Press story:

"Democrats were more superstitious than Republicans over opening umbrellas indoors, while liberals were more superstitious than conservatives over four-leaf clovers, grooms seeing brides and umbrellas."

Then, of course, there's the urban-rural superstition divide among singles:

"Twenty-six percent of urban residents - twice the rate of those from rural areas - said they are superstitious, while single men were more superstitious than unmarried women, 31 percent to 17 percent."

Poor single guys, maybe they should get more of the single women to protect them.

And keep an eye out for those four-leaf clovers:

"The most admitted-to superstition, by 17 percent, was finding a four-leaf clover. Thirteen percent dread walking under a ladder or the groom seeing his bride before their wedding, while slightly smaller numbers named black cats, breaking mirrors, opening umbrellas indoors, Friday the 13th or the number 13."

They pay somebody for this?

Cheers,
-SueVo