Fearless commentary on finance, economics, politics and power

Why neither the government nor the press have covered themselves in glory in ‘splaining the death of Jeffrey Epstein.

Economists like to say they’re immune to ideology. Research shows the opposite.

Don’t trust business listings in Google Maps. They’re can be fraudulent, even dangerous.

Today’s Water Cooler: China tech leaves, no tarrifs for XMas, Biden, Sanders, Warren, Yang, the pollster, the press, the DNC, consumer prices, small business optimism, Siberian wildfires, the Kennebec, delta land, the New Deal and segregation, tourism, Maslow’s pyramid

Richard Vague extends his work on the dangers of private debt via his new book, A Brief History of Doom, on the role of debt in financial crises.

New York City has set out to protect people — and the planet — from heat.

Why a widely-held view about productivity that is foundational to the claim that people are paid what they deserve does not hold up to scrutiny.

Today’s Water Cooler:

Not every aspect of modern life has been crapified: in praise of farmers markets, and the pleasure of making good jam.

The two Bretton Woods institutions the have huge credibility deficits due to the policy conditionalities and advice they have dispensed to developing countries in recent decades.

More consternation about Johnson’s possible Brexit moves.

One way China could mess with the US.

Apple continues to crapify its products, in ways intended to thwart the ability of their owners to use third party services to repair their devices.