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May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
May 17, 2007
/ 29 Iyar 5767
Outsourcing Gone Wild
By
Lloyd Garver
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Over the last several years, we've all had to accept the reality of outsourcing and offshoring dealing with companies who hire cheaper labor either in different parts of the country or in foreign lands. It's up to economists, labor experts, and human rights specialists to debate the merits of outsourcing. But it's in the scope of my job to cry out when outsourcing has gone just a little wacky. The editor and publisher of a Web site devoted to the local news of Pasadena, Calif., has hired journalists in India to write news stories about Pasadena. Wacky enough for you?
James Macpherson of Pasadena has hired two reporters in India to cover local news, especially the Pasadena City Council. He says he was able to hire these Indian journalists for less money than if he had hired local journalists. In other words, he got people cheaper than if he had hired reporters who would actually live in Pasadena, talk to residents, and attend the Council meetings. No kidding. If I bought a bicycle instead of a car, it would be cheaper. But they're not the same thing, Macpherson.
I'm sure the journalists he hired are qualified, but I don't think having them watch the Webcast of the city council meetings 9,000 miles away will result in the same kind of stories that reporters would write if they actually attended the meetings or were in the same city or at least the same time zone.
As strange as this Pasadena development is, I'm not all that surprised. It was only a matter of time before we had "virtual outsourcing."
People play chess, poker, and Scrabble online with people they've never seen. I don't get it. Part of the fun for me when I play a game is being with and talking to the people I'm playing with seeing them curse or gloat or demand an even bigger dictionary to look up the word they just invented.
But that's not the way things are heading. Another example of virtual outsourcing is a company called "Growing Stars." They use relatively inexpensive tutors in India to help students in America with their schoolwork.
The American student comes home from school, goes online, then the tutor who is in India at his or her computer helps the kid with his work. The results might be great, but I just wonder if this is as good of an experience as one in which the tutor is actually with the kid when he makes a face at a hard math problem, or when he doodles in his notebook, "I hate homework" or "Marci's hot." And while we're on the subject of getting used to the weird world of today, one of the subjects that these Indian tutors help American kids with is English.
It's obvious that virtual outsourcing is going to get bigger and bigger in the future. If you think your doctor charges too much, maybe soon you'll be able to hire foreign doctors online. Do you really need an expensive American doctor to tell you to put heat on your sore back, to exercise more and eat less, or that if it lasts for more than four hours, you should seek immediate medical help?
Those who blame politicians for outsourcing might be able to turn the tables on them. Let's say you're unhappy with your senator, or even your president. Maybe someday, you'll be able to outsource elected officials. You'll find somebody online that you think will serve you and the country better who just happens to live in another part of the world.
Even though I see things as moving more and more into a virtual world connected by computers, I don't have to like it. I think people should have more human contact, not less. For some things, I still believe that actually being there to see and hear the people you're dealing with is better than "virtually" being there. I mean, even though it's not practical, instead of just reading my column, wouldn't you like it better if I were right there in the room with you, giving you my opinions out loud? OK, bad example. But you get what I mean.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JWR contributor Lloyd Garver has written for many television shows, ranging from "Sesame
Street" to "Family Ties" to "Frasier." He has also read many books, some of
them in hardcover. Comment by clicking here. Visit his website by clicking here.
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© 2006, Lloyd Garver
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