Become a Patron! The other day I listened to a podcast with Larry Summers, former Treasury Secretary and "Just Asking Questions About The Biological Basis Of Female Intelligence" President of Harvard discussing his pessimistic view of the inflationary landscape. Since I'm an inflation skeptic I went into the episode expecting to disagree with him, and I did, but not for the … [Read more...] about If supply and the rate of profit were fixed, then all wage increases would be inflationary (they’re not)
rant
Inflation is a transfer from creditors to debtors (that means you)
Become a Patron! I have lately seen some very muddled thinking about supply chains and inflation, and I would like to remind confused readers of some very basic economics that will hopefully not only put your minds at ease, but possibly even lift up your spirits. Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon Consider the citizens of a benevolent dictatorship … [Read more...] about Inflation is a transfer from creditors to debtors (that means you)
Minimums, Anchors, and Thresholds
Become a Patron! One of the most frustrating things that comes up almost immediately when you start talking to people about money is the way people treat certain purely regulatory or legislative figures as having some kind of moral or persuasive value. The example that has driven me crazy for years is the advice to "contribute enough to your 401(k) to maximize your … [Read more...] about Minimums, Anchors, and Thresholds
Mass death is a supply shock, too
Become a Patron! It became fashionable in the 20th century to distinguish between two kinds of sudden changes, or "shocks" that could impact an economy, for better or worse: demand-side shocks and supply-side shocks. This conceit has played such an important role in economic policy-making, it's worth looking at iconic examples of each kind. After World War II the US … [Read more...] about Mass death is a supply shock, too
My Unemployment Insurance Saga, or, Not All Heroes Wear Capes
Become a Patron! This is a post I've been looking forward to writing for 7 weeks, and had started to give up hope I'd ever be able to publish: today I found out my unemployment insurance claim has finally been approved and paid. How unemployment insurance "works" Until the present crisis, most white collar professionals have only had the vaguest idea of how the … [Read more...] about My Unemployment Insurance Saga, or, Not All Heroes Wear Capes