Madness of Crowds

Maybe I need to read the book, but I think the fact that people are susceptible to the whims of charismatic, confident leaders is fairly obvious, and the more interesting enquiry is how self-aware people are of their own gullibility, and why they indulge themselves in an illusion when they know it is one. Perhaps it's that much easier and less embarrassing to come back to reality when it was someone else taking you for a spin? You'd thoroughly look like a fool if you tricked yourself, wouldn't you?

Traffic

Most overdue traffic engineering update ever: change from 110 north to I-5 north has gone from a single to a two-lane interchange simply by painting over the shoulder lines. Kudos, Los Angeles.