Parkinson's Law

"Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion."

美俄“漢堡會”

美國總統奧巴馬與到訪的俄羅斯總統梅德韋傑夫一同出外午膳，不過不是吃貴價名菜，而是到快餐店吃漢堡包。兩位總統抵達華盛頓一間地道快餐店，一樣點了芝士漢堡，同時分享薯條。奧巴馬還透過傳譯員提醒梅德韋傑夫小心弄污領帶

當他們進門的時候，裡面的顧客很吃驚，以歡呼來迎接兩位總統，但當他落座後，四周的顧客就像總統不在身邊一樣，各自聊天，品嘗美食。

兩名總統穿著長袖白襯衫，共同來到店點餐口點餐。奧巴馬點了一份芝士漢堡包，裡面包著切達奶酪、洋蔥、生菜、番茄和醃菜，還有一瓶冰紅茶。梅德韋傑夫也點了一份芝士漢堡，裡面有奶酪、洋蔥、辣椒、蘑菇，還有一瓶可口可樂。兩人還共點了一份薯條。

這次“漢堡宴”共4人，除了兩位總統，還有兩名翻譯。兩位總統人手一個漢堡，擠在小桌上相聊甚歡的畫面，將成為經典。

Beyond GDP

"We ought to rename GDP so it becomes clearer what it is — Gross Domestic Transactions, the commotion of money in the economy," said Eric Zencey, professor of historical and political studies at Empire State College. "We can make the money go faster, we can make there be more money, but that doesn't necessarily lead to more improvements in well-being."

So the question is "what is the most important 'improvements in well-being' of oneself"?

Thirty years ago, Bhutan's former King said he valued his people's "gross national happiness" far more than he did its gross domestic product. His offhand remark, tied to the nation's Buddhist roots, unwittingly launched an international movement.

A matrix of nine domains and 72 indicators have been crafted, ranging from "psychological well-being," "time use," and "living standards."