The Pakistan earthquake appeal has been a huge success. Generous readers (see over) have donated a total of $1365 so far, easily surpassing the $1000 I promised to match. So, rather than close off early, I’ll raise my maximum contribution to $1500, and match any further contributions up to that limit, up to midnight tonight (blog time).
A few people made cash for comment offers, which I’ll address when I get a bit more free time.
List of donors so far
Harry Clark 100
James Farrell 100
Robert Merkel 25
Wilful 50
Jack & Claire 20
Craig Malam 100
Steve Edwards 100
Tim Dymond 150
Dave 30
Steve Munn 50
Helen 20
Kim Weatherall 50
James White 100
Nabakov 50
Hirvi 30 (20 euros)
dj 50
Peter D 60
rnr 100
Ian 50
Emma 30
anonymous 100
Total 1365
A few people made cash for comment offers, which I’ll address when I get a bit more free time.
John Quiggin 
I will double jack and claire’s contribution if Pr Q posts a review of Charles Murray’s Human Accomplishment. With special reference to his thesis that, in Occidental civilization, the Christian religion played a vital role in organizing the moral, intellectual and industrial endeavours of the Caucasian race.
Also, I would appreciate Pr’ Q’s assessment of Oriental civilization’s – “Sage” religions and the Asian race – contribution to Human Accomplishment, esp. with reference to Joseph Needham’s evaluation. What of Needham’s Grand Question: why did the Chinese – their institutions and individuals – not wind up ruling the world?
Finally, how would Pr Q suggest we assess the causes, and measure the consequences, of Human Accomplishment?
Yes, its a Big Ask, but actual money is at stake here! Including Pr Q’s, to his credit.
PS Pr Q is excused, on triage grounds, from reviewing the other two legs in Murray’s monumental attempt to establish a scientific basis for cultural policy: Losing Ground and The Bell Curve. The first volume is now the Conventional Wisdom whilst the second volume remains Esstentially Contested.