Dimensional Politics

[markgritter]

I had to untangle a particularly hairy calculation during a code review a couple days ago, and did dimensional analysis to make sure I believed it. Which brought to mind a political rant. Let's eliminate "create N jobs" from the political vocabulary. The correct quantity is the job-year

Comments

[timprov]

Unless these are grants you'll have to figure a return rate as well. (Not to mention all the additional costs for the stadium.)

[seagrit]

But you also have to take into account WHO the unemployed are, if you're trying to lower the unemployment rate. I agree that a forward looking effort is important, but are the majority of the unemployed the type of people who would qualify for those start up jobs? I think it's worth looking at the demographics of who needs a job, not just creating jobs in general. Otherwise, you're just shifting the problem around, not actually making forward progress. I know there are plenty of skilled people who are unemployed, but I don't think they're the majority of people who really need jobs right now.

[freelikebeer]

I like it!

Does the state retain its venture interest in those companies?