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Daily Archives: July 21, 2015

Information Avoidance

Golman, Russell and Hagmann, David and Loewenstein, George, Information Avoidance (July 17, 2015). Available for download at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2633226

“We commonly think of information as a means to an end. However, a growing theoretical and experimental literature suggests that information may directly enter the agent’s utility function. This can create an incentive to avoid information, even when it is useful, free, and independent of strategic considerations. We review manifestations of information avoidance as well as theoretical and empirical research on reasons for why people avoid information, drawing from economics, psychology, and other disciplines. The review concludes with a discussion of some of the diverse (and costly) individual and societal consequences of information avoidance.”

How to establish an online Social Security account

“My Social Security Week is a good opportunity to learn more about opening an online Social Security account. Even if you’re nowhere near retirement, having an account will help you track your earnings, give you quicker access to manage the benefits you may be receiving, and much more. Plan for your future, and join the over 20… Continue Reading

Financial Resource Guides for Newcomers to US

“Throughout the United States, people unfamiliar with our financial marketplace are more likely to fall prey to frauds and schemes. Low English literacy can make it even harder to manage money safely and effectively on a day-to-day basis. To help, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) developed a series of guides that provide information about… Continue Reading

How Collaboration and Crowdsourcing are Changing Legal Research

ThomsonReuters/Susan Martin: “Bob Ambrogi, lawyer, consultant and blogger at Law Sites, spoke at a well-attended session this morning at the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) Annual Meeting. Titled “Playing Well With Others: How Collaboration and Crowdsourcing are Changing Legal Research,” Ambrogi’s presentation began with a light-hearted scolding of lawyers and legal professionals who simply “aren’t… Continue Reading

ALA releases National Policy Agenda for Libraries

ALA News: “Libraries are in a revolution fueled by rapid advances in technology, and thus the roles, capabilities, and expectations of libraries are changing rapidly. National public policy for libraries must reflect these changes. Today the American Library Association (ALA) released a National Policy Agenda for Libraries to guide a proactive policy shift. “Too often,… Continue Reading

Wireless carjackers can exploit vulnerabilities in cars, trucks, SUVs

Wired: “[Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek’s] full arsenal includes functions that at lower speeds fully kill the engine, abruptly engage the brakes, or disable them altogether. The most disturbing maneuver came when they cut the Jeep’s brakes, leaving me frantically pumping the pedal as the 2-ton SUV slid uncontrollably into a ditch. The researchers say… Continue Reading

Laser playing role in repairing aging US infrastructure

Bloomberg – With 65 percent of U.S. roads rated in less than good condition, cities and states no longer leave funding decisions to intuition and influence: “Instead, they use data vacuumed up by arachnid-armed “spider vans” with bulbous cameras and global-positioning equipment protruding from roofs. Six computers inside Phoenix’s four-ton vehicle stored data for engineers… Continue Reading

Millions of Children Living in High-Poverty Areas

Annie E. Casey Foundation: “The 2015 KIDS COUNT Data Book reports that 14% of children — 10.1 million total — are now living in areas of concentrated poverty.  These numbers represent an unsettling trend: An increase of nearly 4 million more children living in high-poverty areas since 2000.  State-by-state, the percentage of children living in… Continue Reading