Inheritance: unearned
For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do… Read More »Inheritance: unearned
economic development
Inappropriate
A list of some things that have been appropriated by some cultures from others Writing. Roman letters. Arabic numerals. The number zero. The horse (by… Read More »Inappropriate
Brad DeLong on Proudhon, property and coercion, and the Royal Society’s cornucopia
Back before 1870, there’s no possibility at all that humanity is going to be able to bake the economic pie sufficiently large that everyone can… Read More »Brad DeLong on Proudhon, property and coercion, and the Royal Society’s cornucopia
Brad DeLong on technological growth and economic change 1870-2010
This excerpt is from DeLong’s interview on Conversations with Tyler. It’s a great discussion – highly recommended. COWEN: If we’re trying to think about the… Read More »Brad DeLong on technological growth and economic change 1870-2010
Not long ago; or, Little by little (9): Car ownership in China 1999-2019
The proponents of this unrealistic scenario [of reduction in global demand for goods] allow merely a factor-of-two increase across all modes of mobility during the… Read More »Not long ago; or, Little by little (9): Car ownership in China 1999-2019
DriverlessCrocodile on theknowledge with David Elikwu
I had a great time chatting with David Elikwu for his podcast (and newsletter(s), and website) theknowledge.io. He was a great host who had done… Read More »DriverlessCrocodile on theknowledge with David Elikwu
This is poverty, Jakarta edition
Here’s the point: even if your parents or caregivers had almost nothing, even if all they could give you was love and care, a bit… Read More »This is poverty, Jakarta edition
Thought experiment: Infinite inequality without injustice (1)
This may seem obvious, but it’s important. Jane and Frank work weekdays at a restaurant. One day, their boss offers them both an extra shift… Read More »Thought experiment: Infinite inequality without injustice (1)
Recommendation: The Pudding on the Yard-Sale Model and Wealth Tax
This is a really interesting and well produced article (as are other pages on The Pudding), and I highly recommend it. There’s a version you… Read More »Recommendation: The Pudding on the Yard-Sale Model and Wealth Tax
Technology (26): Vaclav Smil on available energy per capita since 1800
… the 20th century saw a nearly 40-fold gain in useful energy [i.e. energy available for human use]; since 1800 the gain was about 3,500-fold.… Read More »Technology (26): Vaclav Smil on available energy per capita since 1800