Tag: Freakonomics

Copyright and Compliance

strange maps

I am a big fan of maps. I work for a real estate company, so that should not be surprising. Pictures can usually put information into better context than mere words.

Frank Jacobs, just published a book: Strange Maps: An Atlas of Cartographic Curiosities.

In an interview with Annika Mengisen on the Freakonomics blog, Mr. Jacobs pointed out an interesting compliance technique to deal with copyright and piracy.

When asked about any strange facts about maps that most people might not know?, he replied:

“I don’t know how obscure this fact is, but the London A-Z contains a fictional street on each of its pages, in order to catch out copycats.”

The authors used a little counter-intelligence to ferret out content thieves.

References:

Madoff in Limerick Form

freakonomicsFreakonomics ran a contest for the best definition for Bernie Madoff in limerick form.

They had special guest judge Chris J. Strolin, founder and editor-in-chief of The Omnificent English Dictionary In Limerick Form announce The Winning Definition of “Madoff,” in Limerick Form.

The best of the best was #98 by sqlman:

His investments’ ascent: like a rocket.
His method: his hand in your pocket.
His scheming: detested.
His freedom: arrested.
His future: a day on the docket.

With rhyme and meter perfect throughout, this limerick encapsulates a complex story in just five lines, giving the details very well and in an interesting format. This one shimmers!

Second place goes to #104 by The Tortoise:

The Madoff scam: what’s it about?
Paying Paul (and thus fending off doubt)
By robbing poor Peter;
And what could be neater?
But it palled when the funds petered out

Presenting a strong summing up of the situation, this limerick ends with double wordplay in the fifth line so elegant that I can overlook the lack of an ending period.

And lastly, the title of Miss Congeniality (a.k.a. third place) goes to #78 by Robin:

With Bernie’s cachet as the lure,
Even smart folks invested, quite sure
That with Madoff, funds grow
And sweet dividends flow.
Now they find themselves swindled … and poor.

More perfect rhyme and meter throughout and an accurate telling of the history of this event, but with an interesting pause for dramatic effect at the end — very nice touch!