IanBC

IanBC

48p

76 comments posted · 1 followers · following 0

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Policy alert · 0 replies · +1 points

Hate to quibble (because I'd love to see more money for daycare) but in your example nothing increases (spaces, training etc.).

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - The Bull Meter: Jack L... · 0 replies · +1 points

Merchant costs are ultimately paid for by customers, so those fees are baked into every price (even for those suckers who pay cash). I don't believe that Jack was trying to make this point, though, so I agree with the 4 bulls.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Policy alert · 1 reply · +1 points

But how many families receive neither CESG nor the CLB ($500?) because they don't have an RESP or contribute essentially nothing to it? My understanding is that it's a lot. So for them it's a difference between $0 and $4000, which is significant.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Does Bill Gates think ... · 0 replies · +1 points

It's not just Bill and Microsoft - the ratio of insider selling to insider buying has been astronomical for the past few months. (Zero Hedge keeps close track of this). If insiders are bailing on their own company's stock it makes you wonder why anyone else should be buying at these prices.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - The Commons: Stephen H... · 1 reply · +1 points

How about the Super Hornet? Arguably more versatile than the F-35, cheaper and importantly it's flying today in many countries. Boeing even might consider a buy-back on our current airframes (Wikipedia suggests they offered this to Malaysia). Granted, it loses some stealth against the F-35.

You have good points - I'm just suggesting that other airframes fit into #2.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - The Commons: Derek fro... · 0 replies · +2 points

FYI - Granville Island Brewery makes a Maple Cream Ale that's quite good (http://www.gib.ca/local-flavours.php). It's not like you're drinking syrup...

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - The $16-billion debate · 0 replies · +5 points

Exactly. Actually, Booyaa has an interesting point about the planes. The Super Hornet is quite a capable aircraft, and not just a slightly upgraded F-18, and if the Americans are off-loading many then perhaps we could purchase those. They're used airframes sure, but surely they're properly maintained and would be way more cost-effective than the F-35. The Australians did this with American M1 tanks, didn't they?

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Brain food I: the post... · 0 replies · +1 points

So it's decided then: not smart enough. :)

Thanks for the correction. I see below that this changed in 2006, so the tax-free gravy-train was only for 4 years. Unfortunately this is way shorter than a typical PhD toils away as a post-doc these days.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Brain food I: the post... · 1 reply · +2 points

A fellowship goes straight from the granting agency to the post-doc's pocket (via the host institution's payroll dept I assume). But there is usually an additional annual allowance of a few thousand for supplies (laptop!) and travel. This, and the boost to your CV, are the primary motivations to put all the work into multiple fellowship applications. Plus, it makes your supervisor happy.

If Dr. Soandso does something crazy and decides (s)he'll take you and pay your wage directly then it comes out of a research budget, and it's also income. (The budgets included with grant proposals will often include costing for postdocs.)

In either case, research supplies and associated costs (e.g. publication) are paid out of the supervisor's grants and/or operating budget.

13 years ago @ Macleans.ca - Brain food I: the post... · 2 replies · +2 points

They are now (as per the budget and article Paul is talking about), but as it says in the past they have not been. That was my understanding anyway - I never received one (didn't change labs and/or not smart enough, take your pick) and I never asked any colleagues about their tax returns...