Fearless commentary on finance, economics, politics and power

The plunge in oil prices since August has caused the oil-and-gas sector to get skittish with capital expenditures this year, and Powell picked up on that. Investment in the US shale sector has a big impact on the real economy.

Surprise bills don’t just come from the emergency room. Often, patients will pick an in-network facility and see a provider who works there but isn’t employed by the hospital.

Why trade wars are more costly than conventional wisdom would have you believe now that manufacturing to a large degree depends on global value chains.

Today’s Water Cooler: Biden v. Booker, Biden v. Sanders v. Warren, Trump and the evangelicals, reparations, party building, housing, PMI, Tesla, concentration, New York climate law, cannabis cultivation, the NHS, surprise billing, AHIP, the Internet of Sh*t

Please join me for my very last Sunday in New York before I depart the city for good. We’ll have free books, drinks and good company, so I very much hope you can work us into your Sunday schedule. I have nearly 200 books I am giving away, mainly brand new or only once read, […]

There is not one opioid crisis in America—there are many. And supply-focused measures won’t stop them.

The Brexit zombie lurches forward.

Climate-change-induced migration is significant and set to grow. But no one seems to have any answers, save perhaps the neoliberal default, “Die sooner”.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that the Israeli plan to force integration of Palestine will lead to a bloodbath. But what are the alternatives?

Trust issues with Facebook’s Libra for users, regulators, and technically. And is Facebook seeking to become a sovereign?

Today’s Water Cooler: Apple China cutback, Biden, Booker, Buttigieg, Sanders, Trump, Warren, workers in Republican states, leading indicators, jobless claims, business outlook, Boaty McBoatface, viral communication, homeless students, personal boundaries