Every once in a while you re--experience a loss. By sheer happenstance, I came across a few pictures of one of my best friends from high school, James Harning, depicted in a an informative "personal" history of San Francisco's "Castro District" by Strange de Jim called San Francisco's Castro As one journalist put it, the three photos "tell the tale. They all show Strange's friend, James Harning. In the first, Harning sits in a window, all long legs and handsome profile, looking not unlike the young Rupert Everett in the 1984 movie "Another Country." In the second he sits in bed, ravaged by AIDS, his hair thinned and face colonized by Kaposi's sarcoma le sions. The third shows the cover of the program used in Harning's memorial service. He died in March 1992. He was 31.". James Harning, "Jim", was many things to many people: At a memorial service for Jim (which was true to Jim's spirit in so many ways) one little thing I remember was how often he was described by his friends as "beautiful" -- true, but something I had never noticed although he was my friend for more than half my life (and his). The picture was taken by his sister Susan and may give you a glimmer of what they meant.
More than you could ever possibly want to know about John DiNardo and things related to John DiNardo. Web page hacked in under an hour with that wonderful program VI - improved
Why, oh WHY, do those nutheads use VI? Click on the "Vi Gang" symbol to learn more.
My Department of Economics Page
My School of Public Policy Page
Links to the
July 23, 2008
DiNardo and Pischke reunited! Reports are that the followup album is even more incredible than the first. A few years ago (Kai) Pischke and I teamed up to do a rocking version of "What I Like About You". While I was visiting the NBER, Kai took out some time from his schedule to reprise our earlier collaborative efforts with a newer, even hotter duet. Here's a 15 second clip from the old album, back to back with a clip from new album.
| Then and | Now |
July 15, 2008
Just got back from a nice trip to Milan. Had a wonderful time giving a talk at the Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Was fortunate to meet the labor economist Claudio Lucifora who was the first Italian surfer I've ever met!. Also got to see a tiny slice of Milan. I got to see the "L'ultima cena" , of course, at the Santa Marie Della Grazie (Leonardo DaVinci was a childhood hero of sorts; his "Myspace" page is here. ) but even more remarkable, perhaps, was the Duomo Di Milano. Mark Twain was right, it's amazing!)
Love and Beauty in the time of the Duomo I loved Milan. (Despite what I had heard!) Didn't do a lot of photography, but for two very different images/views of love and beauty in Milan click here.
You can guess that I prefer the smoking one! The Abraham and Isaac story always gave me the willies.
May 17, 2008. Doing my part to help "Build Shanghai University of Finance and Economics into a first class socialist university oriented toward the new century." (Jiang Zemin, July 18,1997)
Just got back from a very interesting trip to SUFE ( The Shanghai University of Finance and Economics ) in Shanghai. My favorite piece of art is this statue celebrating the efforts of the bicycle workers. It reminds me a lot of the "Fountain of Magical Brethren" in the Atrium of the Ministry of Magic.
(Click here for high resolution.)
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Many thanks to "little Ling", "big Ling", Xi Li (for her infinite patience), Guan Gong and Li Gan for making the trip a pleasant one.
Straight outta Lorch Hall. Behind the Research You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge.
Ben and Brian (a.k.a. Key-Z-E and Young BC) of the the duo EWA - "Economists with Atitude" recount their rapid rise, their horrible solo efforts "Plimmin' Ain't Easy" (Key-Z-E) and "Random Walks Are Neat" (Young BC), their preciptious fall, and their happy reunion to produce "Lazy Monday". ("But first my laptop is crashing like Britney" is my favorite line). If you don't get the references, you'll have to spend time on youtube :-)
25 January 2008. Ben Folds ROCKS the HOUSE at the Ark Benefit: Always a good time! Although what is it about rich people??? Read more about the show
Allen Park becomes famous! My elementary school principle Sister Kathleen and Mrs. Mulcrone (my second grade teacher) are pictured in a new Arcadia publication about Allen Park, MI, , home of the World's Largest Tire and where I spent much of my youth. It also has information about St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Elementary school, where I was a student as well as St. Frances Xavier Cabrini High School.
The picture (from the 1960s) includes Sister Kathleen and Mrs. Mulcrone
and a group of students, all in the required uniform. (Guys
were required to wear a tie and "conventional" pants and shirt.
Girls were required to wear variants of the horrific plaids
you see here.) This
became an issue for me in high school, when as a student representative
on "the Uniform Committee" I first learned that one purpose of
having ties for the boys was the possibility that our chest hairs
might inflame the passions of the girls in the school.
Today, it appears, uniforms are only required for those in grades 1 - 8.
Russian Standards and Money
Miss China 2006 (Zhang Zilin) with
Miss Russia 2007 (Ksenia Sukhinova),
the most recent winner of the Russian "beauty pageant"
posing in Moscow with a giant mock credit card denominated
in 100,000 US Dollars. The inscription
on the card literally translates to "Russian Standard"
Russian Standard is a brand of vodka according
to this
Wikipedia entry
Xinhua Photo/Shen Bohan from Xinhua English Language News and the story is here. "View Image" to see a bigger picture.
Dumbledore's REAL secret:
Dumbledore is a SMOKER
More Back Story for Professor Dumbledore
A little fascinating back story to the greatest wizard who ever lived. (Spoiler Alert!)
If you have forgotten, (Gellert) Grindewald first appeared in "The Philosopher's Stone" and was mentioned on a Dumbledore's Wizard Chocolate Frog Card as a "dark wizard" for whom Dumbledore famously defeated in 1945. As we now know Albus' attraction to Gellert (two years his younger) was more than mere interest in the dark arts. In the unsubtle language of corporate news. Albus Brian Percival Wulfric Dumbeldore is gay. Here's CNN's report on the story If you want "cannon" (and I always value "cannon"!), a transcript of JK Rowling's comments as part of "Scholastic's Open Book Tour Sweepstakes" where several lucky souls got the chance to see Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling read from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," answer questions and sign books at New York City's Carnegie Hall.
the Solonators Live at Hollerfest
What a wierd, strange trip it's been: From humble beginnings as Ann Arbor's premier "econo-satire" band, to a live gig Sept 22, 2007 at 3:00pm in Brooklyn (MI!) playing at Hollerfest , and helping to celebrate 35 years of Frog Holler Organic Farm. Click on Hollerfest and you can see several videos from the event (no Solonators, thank god, so I can keep the dream alive).
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This pictures looks like a typical rehersal, where I am playing
something poorly (this time, the bass) and everyone is looking at me.
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The whole band in a wide shot:
(click "view image" to see larger pic)
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Me on the keyboards -- Brian doing what he usually does -- playing it picture perfect.
(click "view image" to see larger pic)
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It was fun!!! All the bands were wonderful. There was some really extraordinarily great music. (Our hour on the stage went very well. I'm the guy in the back with the flourescent yellow shorts with the guitar.) Everyone was extraordinarily nice and exhibited a great deal of that Midwestern "laid backness" and cool. It was such a gorgeous beautiful day to rock! Many thank to King Family, especially musician Billy King (check out his myspace page) for monitoring the sound and to the many others who worked so hard to make it such a nice experience for everyone. |
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Here's a better picture of the band with only the attractive members of the band visible. |
(click "view image" to see larger pic)
J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows arrived 21 July 2007 at 00:01 BST.
It turned out to be one of the most fun musical line ups of my lifetime when Wizard Rock hit Ann Arbor on Harry's "birthday" 31 July 2007 at the Ann Arbor Public Library.
Harry and the Potters have several albums of note including their self-titled debut "Voldemort Can't Stop the Rock." Favorites of mine include "The Human Hosepipe" and "Save Ginny Weasley".
Draco and the Malfoys have two albums including "Party Like Your Evil." Favorites include "My Dad is Rich" ("my dad is rich and your dad is dead.") and "Potions Yesterday"
At MySpace check out: Harry and the Pottters and Draco and the Malfoys. In addition to Myspace, check out Wizard Rock for the latest developments in Harry Potter Themed music.
I can honestly say I've never seen a more enthusiastic and engaged audience. For some, Harry and the Potters turned out to be a life--changing experience. Here is one picture of two young people -- Ben and Micah -- in full Gryffyndor colors jamming in advance of gig they are about to play in wardrobe inspired by Harry and the Potters. It's a fun story, but no more than the picture will have to do :-)
It may be well past the point where there is anyone left who could be affected, but .... Possible Spoiler Alert
The spirit of ``pre--specified research design" brings you my pre--publication predictions regarding Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Warning. Possible spoilers. Some or all of these predictions may be correct. Some or all these predictions may be incorrect. Only those of you who have read the book will know :-)
What's New Musically
Some slightly newer material (I don't update that often)
"You Estimated All Night Long" -- "The Solonators" (MPEG 4) format. This song was one of the first songs performed by the (original) Solonators. Here, the 2007 version (Mike Elsby (bass) Missy House (vocals), Brian Kovak (lead guitar), Gary Solon (drums)) has the thankless task of backing my inept rhythm guitar and vocals. The obscure references at the beginning of the video by Gary and me are to parodies (of me) earlier that evening.
Courtesy of Nathan B. Anderson you can, if you so desire, watch a 17 minute long movie about the 2005 Gary and the Solonators line-up (Nate Anderson (bass), Peter DiCola (Keyboards and Vocals), DiNardo, Melissa House (Vocals), Jordan Matsudaira (Guitar), Andreas Duus Pape (Guitar, Vocals, Harmonica), Gary Solon (drums, vocals), Linda Tesar (Vocals), Warren Whatley (Percussion)) Warnings: PG-13, Econometrics references, etc. Download the movie at http://homepage.mac.com/nbanderson/docs/btm_webstream.mov
topPersonal and Professional Links
Some of the most decent and thoughtful persons in economics -- Links to those folks kind enough to work with me! (N.B. This does not imply that they endorse anything I say or do!)
- Marigee Bacolod
- Paul Beaudry
- Thomas Brunell
- Thomas Buchmueller
- Kristin Butcher
- David Card (and a link to much of his (enormous quantity) of research. and a first for someone who has written with me: ( -- no disrepect intended but rather lame-- ) Wikipedia page
- Nicole Fortin
- Kevin Hallock
- Mireille Jacobson
- John (Jack) Johnston (1923-2003)
- David S. Lee
- Thomas Lemieux
- Justin McCrary (and Zeke!)
- Mark Moore
- Steve Pischke
- Sarah Senesky
- Justin Tobias
- Jason Winfree
- Robert Valletta
"Related Work"
- The latest cutie. A product of the hybrdization of Gregary "Gary" Racz and Di -- the "thew" gives John a "nose job."
- DiNardo and Pischke singing "What I like About You"
- DiNardo and Pischke singing "Yeah!"
- Buchmueller and DiNardo (2002)
- Hallock and DiNardo (2002)
- A first for the web-site -- a movie! Alter your reality! Pischke, Hallock, DiNardo (2002)
Economics The Musical
- A link to Alan Manning's book,
Monopsony in Motion. .
It has a link to
a page which includes the first chapter in
pdf format as well as an a link to an
eponymous song in mp3 format by some person named
J. DiNardo
(copyleft or by permission) (Some of
the songs play better if you download them first.
If the song skips, download it
first to play it with something like Winamp instead of
Windows Media Player)
- A complete review of my posted songs on the web (with good criticism!) , by John Schmitt (Economist and Free Sofware User!) at his blog with the great title No Apparent Motive He's had a way more productive life than I have, produces more than I do, AND has a blog!. (I can't even keep up with my email.) He works at the The Center for Economic and Policy Research who do a lot of important work (that I wish I had the ability to do!) and is a research associate of the "real" EPI (Economic Policy Institute) -- also a bunch of good men and women doing important work! His good hearted (and too kind) review was a hoot to read despite reading, for example, that I should "lose the synthesizer" in "My Little Regression Discontinuity"! (a sentiment which, if weren't my own song, I would probably agree! The problem of course is that it was easier for me to play a synth instrumental than a guitar instrumental (I am pretty bad at all instruments including vocals, but arguably worst at guitar) and I was actually proud of the synth solo, as silly as it was!)
- Read about "the haunting electronic beltings of John DiNardo" -- a review of the song!
- The lyrics to Monopsony in Motion
- (A "homage" to the a workshop on the Regression Discontinuity Design in Economics A song from my Berkeley days ... (My Little) Regression Discontinuity in mp3 format.) I recommend "right clicking" to download it and playing it.
News/Activism
My favorite news/funding activism/information sites:
- Out of Bounds Magazine calls Counterpunch America's Best Political Newsletter.
- The Spirit of Resistance Lives at Z-Net.
- Commentary, analysis, and investigations on issues affecting African Americans: Black Commentator
- America's best daily news show. Democracy Now!
- Funding social change: A Call to Resist Illegitimate Authority
- Corporate Crime Reporter
- The folks at PR Watch have also written a couple of very interesting books about the role of PR -- Public Relations -- in American democracy. PR Watch
Images of Me and Not Me
- Some pictures of not me.
- Some pictures of me.
- From the Abruzzo to Detroit -- Some pictures of people related to me
- Ann Arborites protesting the war on Iraq -- Feb. 15 protest (it was very seriously cold!): a giant human peace sign on the "Diag" brought to you by Ann Arbor Committeefor Peace
- I have no affiliation with DiNardo's Famous Crabs
Econometric Methods
I would much like to do a new edition but McGraw--Hill has "out of printed" the book in the U.S. (and North America) but not internationally. I've tried for a couple of years to "get my rights back", but to no avail. I hope soon. Until then, these link to some old pages about the book.