jwoolcutt Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 I'm a new member to the forums, so first off I'd like to say hello to everyone out there. As I mentioned in a previous post I am a PhD student in Mathematics and as such have read a lot of the posts in the Mathematics and Physics sections. I'm seriously motivated about my subject and my work at the University of Hawaii (I'm TA-ing for a Precalc course and taking the introductory grad class gamut along with a seminar about the interplay between Abstract Algebra and Set Theory). I'm relatively new to Objectivism and have only had a chance to read Anthem and The Virtue of Selfishness, though Atlas Shrugged is next on my list once I'm done with The Meme Machine which I'm currently reading (any one else read it? thoughts?). I came to Hawaii for a number of reasons (I'm sure you can guess a few!). As for choosing the University of Hawaii, they have some really good algebraists and lattice theorists which is a plus, but to be honest they made me a really nice offer and the other schools I applyed to didn't have money for me. So I've got a couple questions: What can a graduate student do to improve the quality of his department? That is, I could do the minimal work necessary to get my degree, but like I said I'm motivated and want to make the place better for my having been here. I think its beyond me to change the image of the entire school, but I want to do something. This is purely in my own self interest because in the process I could potentially increase the value of my degree as well as earn some nice recommendations (high hopes?). Second, are there any objectivists in Hawaii? I have made my way around the island in the past few weeks, but would like to make some social contacts. Many people here represent themselves as borderline socialists, and just knowing there are some rational people out there would be reassuring. So hello and I look forward to hearing your suggestions and meeting you guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMeganSnow Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 Welcome to the forum! Legendre is from Oahu, are you actually on the island of Hawaii? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolcutt Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 (edited) Welcome to the forum! Legendre is from Oahu, are you actually on the island of Hawaii? No, I'm on Oahu too, currently living on the east side of Honolulu in an area called Kaimuki, though I'm considering looking for a new place to stay. Thanks! I might have to look up Legendre sometime. Edited September 2, 2005 by woolcutt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softwareNerd Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 Welcome to the forum. Wow! what are the odds. First, no one from Hawaii, and now we almost have "a crowd" . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolcutt Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 Welcome to the forum. Wow! what are the odds. First, no one from Hawaii, and now we almost have "a crowd" . A small (but hopefully growing) crowd Are you from Hawaii as well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
softwareNerd Posted September 2, 2005 Report Share Posted September 2, 2005 No I don't live in Hawaii. The closest I've been was to have been offered a job there, which I turned down when all the "cost of living" calculators told me that the money looked good but really wasn't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legendre Posted September 3, 2005 Report Share Posted September 3, 2005 (edited) softwareNerd sure is right about the cost of living! It may be true that a lot of the high cost of living in Hawaii can be attributed to the fact that it is an archipelago, but a number of regulations make it even more expensive to live here than it otherwise would be. For example, a federal law called the Jones Act, which was enacted as a "temporary" measure during World War II, forbids foreign ships from sailing from one U.S. port to another. The law requires that the only vessels that may make trips between U.S. ports are those that are built entirely in the United States and are manned solely by U.S. citizens. So basically, whenever a Japanese ship decides to drop off cargo for U.S. customers, it has to choose between docking in Hawaii or, say, California. Quite logically, the Japanese ship chooses the significantly larger market of the continent. In order for Hawaii to receive foreign goods, the state's businesses have to pay one of two companies -- Matson Navigation or Horizon Lines (formerly CSX, which I think Treasury Secretary John Snow previously worked for) -- to sail all the way to the U.S. mainland to pick up all of their imported merchandise. Naturally, the cost is passed on to consumers. I'm very glad to hear (read?) that woolcutt is on Oahu. The fifiteth state could use a lot more students of Objectivism. This is a most welcome development! Many people here represent themselves as borderline socialists, and just knowing there are some rational people out there would be reassuring. I've been saying that all my life. Edited September 3, 2005 by Legendre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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