Category Economics
Reforming Capitalism
Figure 1: Attribution: By LinkedIn [Fair Use], via LinkedIn Pulse A friend sent me this article and I found it to be a really good summary of what is wrong with capitalism in the United States and in an increasing extent the rest of the world. However, its proposed solutions don’t completely address the problem. […]
Future of San Francisco Bay Area
More thoughts on sustainable growth and the need to somehow redistribute the wealth.
The Myth of Tax Cuts and Public Spending (A Comment on “It’s still time for an adult conversation about taxes”)
I came across this article by Max Fodor and Michael Laxer a little while ago and thought it interesting enough to comment on it. It looks at the glaring disconnect the voters (and the pandering politicians that chase them) have between taxation and services. Services are great as long as someone else pays for them, preferably […]
Who Benefits From Economic Recovery?
Everyone is supposed to benefit, right? “A rising tide lifts all boats” is the saying that comes to mind. This statement assumes that an economic recovery will benefit everyone equally. What really happens is the very wealthy benefit the most because they have much more money invested in the economy. But, shouldn’t there also be […]
IMF admits it botched bailout of Greece
IMF admits it botched bailout of Greece I finally have a chance to commit to the ether some thoughts on this article. Apparently, the IMF has admitted in a report it published that it was “excessive” in its application of austerity measures in the case of Greece. This is a big admission from an organization […]
New book: Happy Money.
Another book for my reading list…
Talks – TEDx: Dan Ariely: What makes us feel good about our work?
I like Dan Ariely. He conducts very interesting experiments that reveal a great deal about why we make the choices we do within the economic context we are in. In this TED talk, he talks about what motivates us to work. Big surprise, it turns out not to just be money: Contrary to conventional wisdom, […]
Oops! – Spreadsheet Error Invalidates Austerity Study
How a student took on two Harvard economists over their pro-austerity study — and won Their study, which found economic growth slows dramatically when a government’s debt exceeds 90% of a country’s annual economic output, has been cited by policymakers around the world as justification for slashing spending. Former U.S. vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan, […]
Financial Post – Cashing in on loose change
Financial Post – Cashing in on loose change Sixty-nine per cent of Canadians avoid paying with change and likely have jars of coins at home, according to TD Canada Trust. Also the demise of the penny leaves even more metal in people’s pockets and couch cushions. I should check my piggy bank at home….
The Invisible Hand: Episode Five – Moral Hazard
“What is a Moral Hazard? To economists, it is a state that exists when people tend to take more risks knowing that someone else will bear the costs.” [The Invisible Hand: Episode Five – Moral Hazard] Couldn’t one say that this is the crux of what is wrong with our fetishism with unbridled capitalism? We […]
The Emporium of Lost Thoughts 