I am back after a very restful vacation where interent access was not easy thus keeping me away from the realities of the world. I guess I did not miss very much, except for the two incredible displays of bad taste below.


Observations focused on the problems of an underdeveloped country, Venezuela, with some serendipity about the world (orchids, techs, science, investments, politics) at large. A famous Venezuelan, Juan Pablo Perez Alfonzo, referred to oil as the devil's excrement. For countries, easy wealth appears indeed to be the sure path to failure. Venezuela might be a clear example of that.
I am back after a very restful vacation where interent access was not easy thus keeping me away from the realities of the world. I guess I did not miss very much, except for the two incredible displays of bad taste below.


The National Opinion Research Center of the University of Chicago
published the results of a global survey about pride in 33 countries in
the latest edition of the International Journal of Public Research.
Surprisingly, Venezuelans scored the highest in general pride, Americans
were second. In the domain specific pride questions though, the
Americans beat the Venezuelans, that were second this time.
I have not yet downloaded and read the paper, I am planning to do so in
between Miguel’s vacations.
Meanwhile, you can read the details in the University of Chicago Chronicle.
Jorge Arena
The Devil’s scholar and favorite ghost blogger