March 22, 2013

Law of Diminishing Returns


\frac{1}{X}\sum_{i=1}^{X}\frac{1}{2^{i-1}}=\text{D}
Substituting 3 for \text{X} and expanding yields:
\frac{1}{3}\sum_{i=1}^{3}\frac{1}{2^{i-1}}=\text{D}
=\frac{1}{3}\cdot\left(\frac{1}{2^{1-1}}+\frac{1}{2^{2-1}}+\frac{1}{2^{3-1}}\right)
=\frac{1}{3}\cdot\left(\frac{1}{2^0}+\frac{1}{2^{1}}+\frac{1}{2^{2}}\right)
=\frac{1}{3}\cdot\left(\frac{1}{1}+\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{4}\right)

=\frac{1}{3}\cdot\left(\frac{7}{4}\right)
=\frac{7}{12}
=0.58\overline{3}\text{ t/kg}

I walked into my favorite coffee house this morning and was greeted with the sounds of Hawaiian music and Nathan's friendly smile asking me if I wanted my regular 2 shot Americano in the 16 oz cup.  I say, "yea but can you put it in a 12 oz cup?  I need my coffee stronger these days."  He says, "ah the law of diminishing returns".
 As defined by the oh-so convenient wikipedia: 
The law of diminishing returns states that in all productive processes, adding more of one factor of production, while holding all others constant ("ceteris paribus"), will at some point yield lower per-unit returns.[1] 

 So this starts me thinking about the concept and how relevant it is to much more than economics. How many times have we found ourselves in relationships at home, at work, with friends where we see ourselves constantly putting more and more into it when we feel the return becoming less and less. Like the lab rat in the cage pushing the button frantically as the reward becomes less frequent and unpredictable.  

 We might find ourselves going above and beyond at work, putting in longer hours only to find that then this is what becomes expected of us as our new baseline.  In relationships, we may find ourselves taking extra care to show the other person that they're special, that they are loved and appreciated only to find that over time those things are taken for granted. 

 So given this unfortunate Law of Diminishing Returns should we stop "adding more factors of production"?  I don't think so.  The important variable in all of this is finding yourself in a relationship, whether personal or professional,  where the other cog in the wheel (your partner, your boss, your co-workers, your friends) is of like mind, cognoscente of this concept and careful not to take things for granted.  The other key to not becoming a victim of Diminishing Returns is to "shake it up".  Add random variables to the equation to keep things fresh and interesting, to spark production, to keep love and happiness thriving. 

 As for my Americano?  Perhaps tomorrow I'll order a latte.

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February 21, 2013

One, two, count the "MOOs"

"There are obviously two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live." 
James T. Adams

 I'm ecstatic!  Since the day I stumbled upon this little gem of a school tucked away on a hillside just outside of our town I have wanted my daughter to attend school there.  She was only 6 months old or so but I was already looking forward to the day I could put her name in for a coveted spot in the lottery drawing to admit the new class of preschoolers!


Well that day has come and she got in!  Not only does that guarantee her a spot in preschool, but if it's a good fit for her she can attend there through the 12th grade.  It is one of the only farm schools in the country that educate Pre-K through high school.  The curriculum is so different from anything I've seen before and the physical environment of both the buildings and the surrounding farm are just serene.  No cramped desks and sterile hallways.  There's a beautiful fireplace in the cozy library with a gorgeous river rock hearth.  The classrooms are dedicated to things like spinning wool from the resident alpacas to a working bike shop for learning about physics and math.  

Although I'll be sad to have my little one gone five full days a week at only the age of three, I can't imagine a more stimulating and nurturing environment. What fun it will be to learn to count by gathering eggs just laid by happy hens and to learn about fruits and vegetables by planting and harvesting them. 


I'm pretty sure that I'm more excited than she is.  
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February 7, 2013

Beauty & Grace


I want to thank a talented artist and childhood friend, Ann-Britt, for allowing me to use her gorgeous photo for my blog title art.  Since I've known Ann-Britt as a teenager, she's always been a free spirited, kind hearted person. She is especially dear to me for her compassion toward animals and the natural world, her humor and the child that will always live within her.  Although I haven't seen her in 20+ years, I can gather through her art that she is even more dear than in those days of our youth.  Check out her work at http://www.ann-britt.com/ and again I'm so grateful for her generosity.
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