A pic I love - and a question about social engineering-

[mary_j_59]

So - dry question first! I just did my taxes, and am starting to wonder: should we actually try to encourage or discourage behaviors by paying for them? Doing one's taxes is just so darn complicated! Yes, I think people need a break in certain circumstances; yes, I'm a raving liberal, but, as it stands, I think there are too many loopholes, exceptions, complications - it's just so difficult. Wouldn't it be better to just have a very simple graduated tax based strictly on income? No loophole, no exceptions, no attempts to guide behavior by giving people tax breaks? It would certainly be easier!

And - here is a pic I love: it was from CNEWA and is of a young teen in a library in India. For those who know - or care - when I saw this pic, I instantly said, "Niki!". My fictional character has darker skin and her hair's a bit shorter and not so curly - but this little girl just reminds me of her.

I also love what she's apparently holding!

Comments

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you think so, Anne! Really - isn't she just a dead ringer for my character? Not just the physical appearance, but also the spirit she conveys. I really love this picture!

[anne-arthur.livejournal.com]

I'd love to see a Kiril or a Skel sometime, if you ever find them . . .

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

If I do, I will certainly post them! I have a pretty clear idea in my head of what the boys look like, but haven't come across an image yet that spoke to me as this one did. But I'll keep my eye out -

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

Haven't found the definitive image, but this man on Flickr had some nice portraits of children. In this one, the boy on the right isn't too far from the way I'd imagine Kiril at 12 or so.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martell/3295056870/in/photostream/

[anne-arthur.livejournal.com]

Yes! But his friend is not really Skel, sadly . . .

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

Agreed! I can't decide if the boy on the right is Kiril or Skel, actually, but he's quite close to my idea of both of them. They get taken for twins, but Skel's a little taller and has wavier hair. The boy on the left doesn't really look like either of them.