Another day, another straw poll, another winner. That appears to be the standard media report these days. Fortunately, the world is a wild and wonderful place that leaves people like me with plenty of news to ponder, even in the quietest moments. And yes, I just quoted Supertramp. What is this world coming to?

Without further adieu, onwards to Episode 24, where we will find bread crust, Aggieland, and parallel parking – all in the same report.

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It is a very persistent logical fallacy. You’ve heard it many times in the recent past: if we continue to give tax breaks to big business, then they will continue to be able to create new jobs. Or perhaps, you’ve heard it phrased differently: if we eliminate those tax breaks, oh my, then businesses won’t create new jobs.

Let’s start with a reality check. Big businesses have loopholes that bring their effective tax rate down to lower levels than most working Americans. Warren Buffett has noted that his effective tax rate – after corporate loopholes – is lower than his secretary’s tax rate. Go figure.

President Obama has presented the nation with a proposed Buffett Tax that would make a first attempt at balancing this out. Now, of course, we’re hearing the claims of “how are we supposed to create jobs now?”.

Note to America – you might want to look at those job creation numbers in the time that the loopholes have been in effect.

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There is only one word I can think of that might describe it: Epic.

And that doesn’t do justice to it whatsoever.

The moment in question: Felix Baumgartner’s breaking of the sound barrier in a freefall descent on October 14, 2012.

I spent the vast majority of the live broadcast shaking my head in disbelief. First it was the sheer altitude to which he had ascended – 128,100 feet. Then there was the checklist of items. Then the capsule door was opened. Item 29: release seat belt. Then he stood on the platform – and fell forward – a freefall of 119,846 feet.

Really? Really? Wow. Beyond wow. This was reality TV at its finest, a product of the digital era. Over 8 million people viewed this feat live on YouTube. This may have been our generation’s version of a moon landing, only in reverse.

Felix Baumgartner broke the barriers of human performance – and better yet, pushed the envelope of our thinking in terms of what we believe is possible.

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The 12th International Conference in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy was held October 5 – 7, 2012 in Austin. This conference (along with the Conference Of The Americas) always provides a great opportunity to catch up with many friends, colleagues, and fellow MDT clinicians from around the world. This year was special though – it would be held in Austin. It was the first of many international conferences that I have attended at which I could go home at night and not have to sleep in a hotel bed. Ah yes, it is the simple things in life that we appreciate the most!

Once again, the McKenzie Institute International brought together a great panel of speakers and experts from around the world. One thing that has always impressed me most about this conference is the broad range of speakers, controversial or otherwise. The commonality is that they all attend with a willingness to collaborate and improve the quality of musculoskeletal care, regardless of their expertise or background.

Here are just six of many highlights from the conference.

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