General

The Obama Effect

Community organizing is now cool:

A job that has not been all that alluring to college graduates is in resurgence, according to leading community organizers and educators. Once thought of as a destination for lefty radicals committed to living lives of low pay, frustration and bitter burnout, community organizing is now seen by many young people an exciting career.

To the extent to which this is really the Obama effect, and not just a consequence of the recession, this is remarkable.  For most of the past decade, the North American job market, as well as the allocation of intellectual energy, has been seriously distorted by the levels of compensation in finance. The recession will take care of some of that, but is it possible that the example of the president could have a more far-reaching influence?

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