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And what does it mean for people? for our kids? grandkids?

I remember what Siddhartha said in Hermann Hesse’s novel.  When he applied for a job after being a monk for years, the owner asked him what he could do that would help his business. He said, “I can think and I can fast.”  What we are seeing in America is the fasting of manufacturing. As for the thinking, to be at the top of the pyramid we have to have a high level of capability today. Even conventional education is not enough. A computer programmer as machine operator in a factory?

Manufacturing in America « The Operations Room

I’m always interested in applications of the newsvendor. Here’s one that deals with tax policy and health care.

The newsvendor and the tax man: Do Americans not put enough money into flexible spending accounts? « The Operations Room

Here’s an example of great operations thinking. Modeling parking at the mall as a waiting line. Those waiting lines are very versatile.

The art of parking « The Operations Room