GoogleMeElmo
The researchers produce code of questionable quality that needs to go into the main branch asap. Those few of the researchers that know how to code (we do a lot of image analysis), don't know anything about keeping it maintainable. There is almost a hostile stance against doing things right, when it comes to best practices.
The "Works on my computer" seal of approval have taken a whole new meaning for me. Things go from prototype to production by a single correct run on a single data set. Sometimes its so bad I don't know if I should laugh or cry.
Since we don't have a single test or, ever take the time to do a proper build system, my job description becomes mostly droning through repetitive tasks and bug hunting. It sucks the life right out of any self respecting developer.
There, I needed that. Feel free to flame my little rant down into the abyss. :)
That is correct. I have messed the names up :P
The third on is Zero-sum problem: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-sum
Nor sure about the second one. Anyone who knows?
You should also know that even though the tax system in Norway works to even the footing of different posed people financially, it does not wipe out the class difference between a janitor and a doctor. Their net income will still differ by quite a bit (up to 400% at least).
The benefit here is that someone who is considered poor, and would perhaps be forced to live in the street, and only serve to increase the crime rate, will instead recieve help. And the doctor can sleep peacefully at night knowing that the police is out protecting. The hospital emergency staff is ready to recieve the next cardiac arrest patient, the road will be cleared from that heavy snow fall during the night, the list goes on.
In my view the philosophy of the Norwegian tax models is less worries == more happiness, and that is exactly what this model offers for everyone included.
On the other hand its very easy to paint a rosy picture of Norway in a case like this. Mostly becasue US is so easy to outcompete on many of the issues directly involved. Crime rates, mortality rates, helthcare and so on. Norway does of course, like any country, suffer from several political problems. Spending, immigration and government control is perhaps the most fleeting issues right now. But they diminish substantially compared to the issues the US has to face the next decade. And perhaps even worse is it, that the political environment in the US seems allmost hopeless. With the country polarized into two extremes. In Norway the debate is still very much alive around all of these issues. In the US you can quickly get yourself into a place you dont want to be by just shifting your perspective slightly.
Ok now i gotta stop. Let the bashing commence. :P