Category Archives: economics

Now We are Seven Billion! La, La, La

Despite the evident threat to the well being of our descendants some idiots keep asserting that the “Population bomb theory is a myth“. What complete nonsense! For one thing China’s “economic miracle” comes after 30 years of having a one … Continue reading

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When 99% is really 0.01%

The Tyee ( Wall Street Occupiers, Don’t Forget Ballot Box) says it rather too gently. The protesters and their direct supporters are more like a 0.01%  than 99%, and the other 99% of the real 99% were too stupid to do … Continue reading

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Collapse of Trade as a Phase Transition

Prompted by our visiting friend Geoff (the ‘lucky Geologist’ and author of ‘Green Figs’ and other essays), I have recently finished reading ‘The Fall of Rome – and the End of Civilization’ by Bryan Ward-Perkins (OUP2005), wherein the author responds … Continue reading

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LRB · Joseph Stiglitz · The Non-Existent Hand

LRB · Joseph Stiglitz · The Non-Existent Hand. One comment in particular rang a bell for me. Often the use of a mathematical model is considered  as giving predictions greater credibility when all it really does is ensure that they … Continue reading

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Economics: What went wrong with economics | The Economist

Economics: What went wrong with economics | The Economist

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Yes, There *IS* an Elephant in the Room

AlterNet Article by Chris Hedges Rebuttal by Betsy Hartmann

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Mythical Myths No 7

In “The Myth of the Tragedy of the Commons”, Ian Angus claims that the phenomenon commonly called a “tragedy of the commons” is a myth. But he is wrong. Anyone who is aware of the fate of the Atlantic cod … Continue reading

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Hedonic Man

Hedonic Man is the title of a review by Alan Wolfe of two books on the “new economics”. Like Wolfe (and probably countless others) I am sure that the science of economics is sorely lacking, but also like him I … Continue reading

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CO2 Reduction Scenarios (UK example)

Heavyweight physics prof weighs into climate/energy scrap [printer-friendly] | The Register

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Nassim Nicholas Taleb

I was led to this Sunday Times profile of Taleb via Arts&Letters Daily. Taleb’s view that market collapses are more sudden and extreme (though less frequent) than rises seems believable to me but is presumably easily checked from the record, … Continue reading

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