One of my other favorite interests is politics and policies within the United States. A recently recommended author has delivered thoughtful, direct, and very insightful columns. The only thing we know about him (or her) is the pseudonym Spengler.

His latest column (released today) juxtaposes the Chinese migration--from agrarian empire to urban industry--and the dispersion of Katrina refugees to more prosperous areas. A highly recommended read for any scholar of economics or public policy. My wife and I enjoyed it immensely. We also learned a new word: immiserate.

The highlight:

". . . Many of Katrina's refugees are ascending out of the humiliating poverty that blighted their lives back home. Now they will have the means to watch sex and violence on plasma-screen televisions, spend their free time in the esthetic dystopia of shopping malls, and worship in mega-churches."

The next step "up" [I suppose] will be the means to have interactive sex and violence on plasma-screen televisions using next-gen gaming consoles.

Was it not J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote about civilizations falling into disrepair and collapse because the citizens were too busy amusing themselves? Maybe I am thinking of Gibbon or Mueller.