Category Archives: Economics

Needless Deaths, Groceries, and Trump vs. Jesus

David Wallace-Wells: why do Americans suffer so many “needless deaths” than other nations?; Why groceries are expensive is not an American issue; How some Trump-loving congregants deride Jesus’ teachings as “weak”. And Hans Zimmer’s “Journey to the Line,” from THE … Continue reading

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Figuring Out Trump Voters

Two views to explain the loyalty of Trump voters. There was a long NYT op-ed by David Brooks posted a couple days ago and printed in today’s paper, offering an irresistible counter-intuitive thesis. And a response today by a writer … Continue reading

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The Current State of the World

Two items about the current state of the world: the economy is good; climate change is getting worse, and how conservatives won’t believe either; How Big Oil is more concerned with profits than with long-term consequences; How the Mission: Impossible … Continue reading

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Robert Reich Speaks, Writes, and Cartoons

More about Robert Reich’s appearance at UC Berkeley last night; and summary notes about his book Economics in Wonderland.

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Saw Robert Reich Today

At an event on the UC Berkeley campus, Zellerbach Hall. Later afternoon, 5:30pm, and so home at 7:30 for dinner and now running a little bit late. So longer post about this tomorrow. Cal Performances: An Evening with Robert Reich. … Continue reading

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How About a Conservative Resistance Against Globes?

Topics for today: A flat-earth judge ruled against globes in public schools… or did I imagine that? Perhaps I’m confusing it with the mean-spirited rulings in Texas about abortion and in Florida about everything; Republicans in Missouri want to defund … Continue reading

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Progress, Happiness, Economics, and Morality

Items about the reality of progress and hope that humanity overcomes the effects of climate change; the latest world happiness index in which the US ranks 15th; Robert Reich busting myths about how the wealthy right justify their wealth; and … Continue reading

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Feelings vs. Data, Political Items, and Awe

Today Paul Krugman counters feelings with facts, this time about the economy; also, items about DeSantis, red state murders, Truth Social ads. And a new book about awe.

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Three Interesting Books That I Probably Won’t Read

About free markets, the fundamentals of biology, and unsustainable growth. And I probably won’t read them simply because I have so many other books to read, such as the few on a bookcase just to the left of my computer … Continue reading

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Recent Headlines, 7 Sept 2022

Busy with things including the heat. For now headlines from the past few days, lightly commented. I’ve skimmed them at best; some I will revisit and comment further. About not following your gut; the past 150 years of human history; … Continue reading

Posted in Economics, Education, Human Progress, Links & Comments, Narrative, Psychology, Social Progress | Leave a comment