Years ago (think late 1960s and early 1970s), I collected stamps. I learned much about a variety of subjects looking at them and learning about the events, people, and places they displayed. One that struck me was this: Being young and ignorant, I was puzzled: there was a Golden Gate without a bridge? Well, yes, of course there was: (By Ansel Adams, from Flikr) "The Golden Gate is One of … [Read more...]
Intellectual boxing matches
Source: Flikr Creative Commons I moderated a discussion list on macroeconomic history back in the late 1990s. I volunteered because I thought it would be fun and I’d learn something. And I did, until a few members started flaming each other, encouraging more participants to join in, and ruined the entire enterprise for me. It seemed to me then, and now, that participants enjoyed engaging in a … [Read more...]
Inflation! Debasement! May edition
Hyperinflation-era German currency Source: Flikr Creative Commons Welcome back to the monthly inflation! debasement! update. We’re keeping track of that nefarious phenomenon of which Speaker of the House Paul Ryan warned that, no matter what the data tell us, accelerating inflation and a depreciating currency are just around the corner. Here are the latest data through May 2016: … [Read more...]