Sneedlets of every size and shape

Even if you haven't heard of the Pareto principle by its formal name, you probably have heard of the 80/20 rule.  You know, 80% of the effects are the result of 20% of causes.  It is not exact, but is generally correct in a lot of cases.

For instance, worldwide, 80% of income is earned by 20% of earners.  In the US the top 25% of income tax payers, pay 87% of personal income tax collections. 

But my post is not about income taxes.   The 80/20 rule is a floor, not a ceiling.  If you think about it most of the problems in the work place are caused by a few individuals, most problems in schools are the result of a small number of students.  And you can go on and on, I'm sure.

I recently downloaded a police and fire scanner app.  It has been quite an education.  

What I have learned from the police scanner is that the overwhelming majority of police calls involve a very small segment of the population. 

We have a current crime spree involving an armed robber who has robbed the same fast food place 4 times in the past month.  You think that someone could figure out how to catch this guy, but that is just my thinking.

I was listening to the scanner the other evening and Mrs. Sneed had the local news on the TV.  While the local news reader breathlessly told us about how this guy had robbed the restaurant for the 3rd time, I heard on the scanner that he had just struck for the 4th time.

You have to grudgingly admire a guy who has found a plan and is making the most of it.  Or not.


Things in this blog represented to be fact, may or may not actually be true. The writer is frequently wrong, sometimes just full of it, but always judgmental and cranky