So, I've realized that my blog has been dormant for awhile...During this time, I've had that sinking, weighty feeling that you get when you have an unpaid bill collecting late fees, or a late homework assignment that constantly hangs over your head...
This isn't to say that I haven't been writing. I have. But, my writing energies have been channeled toward my book, Blowing Up, which is finally nearing completion. As I revise chapters that I've revised multiple times over, I find myself gaining new respect and admiration for everyone who has ever finished a book. This is no small feat and something that I previously didn't quite appreciate.
In fact, as I make my way through the revision process, I find myself cringing at memories of when I was a first year PhD student. Like other eager grad students, I'd read an assignment book, mark the hell out of it with annotated questions (see snarky criticisms), and then come to class ready to really lay into the book. What a difference some time, perspective, and firsthand experience working on a manuscript can make!
Anyways, I'm currently on a train out to London, ON. I'm giving a talk today in the Sociology Department at the University of Western Ontario. The talk is less a polished presentation and more of a work-in-progress talk from a chapter in my new book tenatively titled Wounded: The Social Aftermath of Gun Violence.
While thinking about this talk, I came across an interesting article in Forbes about the costs of fatal shootings. This article really drove home a point that I've encountered in other places: Murders are economically costly for everyone.
Take a look at some of these stats. On average, a single murder results in $1.6 million dollars in lost wages over the killed individual's lifetime. It also racks up $395,000 in criminal justice expenses, $29,000 in medical care for the deceased victim, $11,000 in mental health care costs for the victim's family, and $9,000 in losses to the victim's employer.
Those are some pretty staggering statistics. Regardless of how you feel about gun violence, gun control, or specific policies (i.e. concealed carrying, semiautomatic rifles, etc.), these numbers are a sobering reminder of why it makes fiscal sense to work toward ending gun violence.
Anyways, that's about it from here. I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this!
This isn't to say that I haven't been writing. I have. But, my writing energies have been channeled toward my book, Blowing Up, which is finally nearing completion. As I revise chapters that I've revised multiple times over, I find myself gaining new respect and admiration for everyone who has ever finished a book. This is no small feat and something that I previously didn't quite appreciate.
In fact, as I make my way through the revision process, I find myself cringing at memories of when I was a first year PhD student. Like other eager grad students, I'd read an assignment book, mark the hell out of it with annotated questions (see snarky criticisms), and then come to class ready to really lay into the book. What a difference some time, perspective, and firsthand experience working on a manuscript can make!
Anyways, I'm currently on a train out to London, ON. I'm giving a talk today in the Sociology Department at the University of Western Ontario. The talk is less a polished presentation and more of a work-in-progress talk from a chapter in my new book tenatively titled Wounded: The Social Aftermath of Gun Violence.
While thinking about this talk, I came across an interesting article in Forbes about the costs of fatal shootings. This article really drove home a point that I've encountered in other places: Murders are economically costly for everyone.
Those are some pretty staggering statistics. Regardless of how you feel about gun violence, gun control, or specific policies (i.e. concealed carrying, semiautomatic rifles, etc.), these numbers are a sobering reminder of why it makes fiscal sense to work toward ending gun violence.
Anyways, that's about it from here. I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this!
I found you on blogspot! I have one too for Timmy, I have been dorment on my blog also but decided I'd write something today. Keep in touch Jooyoung. - Bette
ReplyDeleteHi Bette,
DeleteThanks for finding me. I hope that you're having a nice winter. I look forward to seeing you and Matt in the near future.