On Committee Size

From Science News_ comes an article that tries to relate a country's development efficiency to the size of its cabinet, and gives an explanation using network theory and a particular model for arriving at a decision.  I suspect there are several devils in the details of how well their model corresponds to actual working committees, and a cabinet does not correspond to my concept of a committee anyway, given that the usual organization of a cabinet is to give each member a particular responsibility.

Nonetheless, the article is interesting.  For their model, it turns out that 10 or under is workable - except 8.  Apparently, one should not create a committee of 8 members.

Legislatures seem to run much larger.  Maybe this is why they are primarily good for burning up money and accomplishing little.

106 books meme

Several of my FL have done this, most recently bright_lilim and stoutfellow.

The following list contains the top 106 books most often marked as "unread" at LibraryThing. As in, they sit on the shelf because you were supposed to read them for school or college, because you felt you should read them because they are classics or because everyone else loves them. Or because it's simply chique to have certain books on your shelves.

( Rules, list, and COMMENTS )