Measuring Burnout

Something to keep in mind.

From New York Magazine

In 1981, Maslach, now vice-provost at the University of California, Berkeley, famously co-developed a detailed survey, known as the Maslach Burnout Inventory, to measure the syndrome. Her theory is that any one of the following six problems can fry us to a crisp: working too much; working in an unjust environment; working with little social support; working with little agency or control; working in the service of values we loathe; working for insufficient reward (whether the currency is money, prestige, or positive feedback).

Do something for Darfur

This is a great idea. Help light up the Darfur Wall. Donate one dollar or more to turn a number from dark gray to brilliant white and honor one lost life. 100% of the proceeds go to four Darfur relief organizations.

Not the naughties

"Oh Adso, you dolt," my alter ego corrected me,
"These first years of the century, they're not the 'zeros' or the 'naughties'."
"They're the Double-O's."
"And next year is '007!"

Undermining Sydney's food security

In the SMH this morning ("How do you cook Kellyville max?"), Elizabeth Farrelly points out that by creating the North West growth centre from Mulgrave to Bidwell, the NSW govt is encouraging developers to pave over Sydney's best food-growing lands.

Sydney is expecting maybe a million blow-ins over coming decades (though figures are revised downwards all the time) and they have to live somewhere. But here? In Sydney's vegie basket?

At the same time the Public Service Association reports that, following the recent resignation of Minister Craig Knowles, the NSW Government has decided to split the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) in two. Ian McDonald will become Minister for Natural Resources (he's also Minister for Primary Industries) and Frank Sartor will take control of Planning. Should be interesting to see what strange policies will be borne of that arrangement.