In Virginia, there is some debate as to whether or not people convicted of DUI three times should be issued bright yellow license plates when they regain the ability to drive. Initially, when I heard this, I thought: “why not?” It could warn others around the drunk driver, and it’s not like three-time DUI convicts have much room to protest.

However, after further consideration, I’ve concluded the yellow license plates are a bad idea. For one, if someone is convicted of driving drunk three times, they should permanently lose their driver’s license. Sure, that sounds inconvenient, heavy handed, or what have you. But come on, three convictions is A LOT. If someone gets three drunk driving convictions, it does not mean they simply drove drunk three times. I’d be willing to bet that most people who drive drunk do not get caught. So if someone is convicted for DUI three ties, it essentially means that driving drunk is a regular thing for them. It also means they really don’t care about the consequences of getting behind the wheel drunk. Someone like that does not deserve the privilege of a driver’s license. They can learn how to use public transportation, or a bike, or find a friend who can drive them.

Here are my 2007 New Year’s Resolutions:

1. Reduce Personal Road Rage: I’m not an angry person, except when I’m in the car.  When someone shines their high beams in my eyes, or cuts me off, or if I take a wrong turn, it drives me up the wall.  I hope I can calm down a little bit in the future, so I’m putting this on the resolution list.  In order to accomplish this goal, I’m going to leave a little bit earlier for my destination every trip, and I’m going to use the GPS my girlfriend gave me for Christmas when I’m going somewhere new.
2. Take Personal Responsibility More Often: I’m not a huge complainer, but every now and then, I make excuses for why things didn’t exactly go my way, and the fact that I do bugs me.  I’m going to make a bigger effort to take responsibility for ALL of my own actions.
3. Become More Confident in Law School: I oftentimes feel like I’m just trying to keep my head above water in law school because everyone else is so smart.  Well, I was admitted there, too, so it’s not like I’m deficient compared to my classmates.  I’m going to stop being in awe of my peers.
4. Stay Fit: I’ve always been a fitness nut, but at the end of last semester, before finals, I really let up on my training.  I resolve to stay on top of my running and try to run a few races this upcoming year, at least.
5. Become More Efficient: Although I am an efficiency nut as well (I was an Econ major in undergrad), I don’t consider myself to be a very efficient worker.  I hope to find the time to implement a more efficient schoolwork schedule, perhaps by implementing David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” program, which I frequently hear good things about.

Full Disclosure: This is not an advertisement, although the link to the Amazon Kindle is an affiliate link to Amazon.  I am actually going somewhere with this article beyond the Amazon Kindle. 

The Amazon Kindle is not getting the kind of hype it deserves.  Why?  Because although the Kindle is far from a perfect product - it’s not close yet - it is going to shine some much-needed light on E-Book readers.  This could potentially lead to the end - or at least the near death - of the majority of print media.

The Kindle is an E-Book reader.  It’s about the size of a book, it has a small keyboard, a cellular internet connection, and most importantly an “E-Ink” screen that displays books.  The battery can last for more than a week without recharging.  The Kindle’s main purpose is to read books.  If you want to buy a book, you can use the Kindle’s built-in online store to purchase books wirelessly, using its free cellular internet connection.  Additionally, you can subscribe to NEWSPAPERS/blogs/other publications on the Kindle, so that every morning when you wake up, today’s paper is ready for you to read.

There are plenty of complaints about the fact that O.J. Simpson is all over the news.  Just like when Paris Hilton was all over the news earlier this summer.  Why are these no-good celebrities dominating the TV screen on nightly newscasts and all of the major papers?  Easy Answer: People who run news broadcasts respond to incentives.

Many people who watch the news, or read the newspaper, or who have blogs they update with nonsensical posts once every two weeks claim that this news is unimportant.  They claim the newspapers and newscasts should focus on important information like the war, politics, the environment, and other such topics.

But it’s very expensive to run a newspaper or a newscast.  Bills have to be paid.  The only way to do that is to find enough subscribers or viewers.  And to do that, you’ve got to give the people what they want.  Sure, there are plenty of intellectuals and pseudo-intellectuals that want the “real” news and none of this celebrity news all over the front page.  But the average American news observer craves this celebrity, human-interest pseudo-news.  So the papers and the news broadcasts are going to keep feeding it to them.

Because of the interesting comments on my last article (Why Does the Environment Matter?), I have decided to elaborate on my thoughts on whether true altruistic acts exist.  The first step in this investigation is to define altruism.

According to Princeton University’s Wordnet, the definition of altruism is:

The quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others.

If this definition accurately portrays altruism, it follows that when one commits an altruistic act, he only thinks about how the act will benefits others, and not himself.  No self-interest by the altruist is involved.

But what exactly is a benefit that can accrue to one’s self or others?  The concept of utility is important in this case.  Utility is a measure of satisfaction/fulfillment/enjoyment/happiness/etcetera that one gains from a good, action, or consequence.  In a simple example: one gains utility when he finds $10 on the ground.  Another example: one gains utility when the weather forecast for tomorrow is pleasant.  So if one were to commit an altruistic act, according to the definition above, the act must be made without any consideration of one’s own utility.  I believe any act that is made without considering one’s own utility is impossible.