1201. The Takaichi Era begins for real
The post discusses Takaichi Sanae's rise to power in Japan, the LDP's electoral dominance, and the implications for democracy and governance in the country.
1202. Bourgeois Propaganda In The Teaching Of Economics
Robert Vienneau critiques the teaching of economics, particularly the flawed concept of the natural rate of unemployment, highlighting its political implications.
1203. Why is Singapore no longer “cool”?
Tyler Cowen explores the decline in American interest in Singapore, attributing it to political, social, and economic shifts in perception and relevance.
1204. Bryan Caplan on immigration backlash
An argument that immigration backlash varies in significance, suggesting that respecting voter preferences is crucial to avoid empowering toxic anti-immigrant politicians while advocating for more immigration.
1205. A shadowy industry is helping small businesses pay tariffs — at a high cost
Alina Selyukh discusses the challenges small businesses face with tariffs and the risky lending options available to them.
1206. What Could Go Wrong? The AI Asset Price and Investment Boom
Menzie Chinn discusses concerns about the economic impact of the AI boom and potential corrections in asset prices, particularly regarding the Magnificent 7 companies.
1207. Claude Code 16: The Memory Foam Mattress Theory of Claude Code
Scott Cunningham discusses the adoption of Claude Code, using a memory foam mattress metaphor to explain user experiences and economic concepts related to software usage.
1208. Federal Reserve 101, Part II: The Global Financial Crisis of 2008 and Its Aftermath
The post discusses the Federal Reserve's policy history, particularly during the 2008 financial crisis, and critiques from political figures regarding its decisions and outcomes.
1209. A new hypothesis (from my email)
A theory is proposed that rising teen anxiety correlates with cultural and political shifts rather than being caused by phones, suggesting a new understanding of these dynamics.
1210. 'Washington Post' CEO departs after going AWOL during massive job cuts
The resignation of the Washington Post CEO follows significant layoffs at the newspaper, highlighting leadership challenges during a crisis.
1211. USDA Forecasts Near Constant Farm Cash Income…As Long as We Dole Out $44.3 Billion
Menzie Chinn discusses USDA forecasts for farm cash income and the significant role of government payments in maintaining income levels for farmers.
1212. Closing tabs: the Saturday edition
The post covers a variety of topics, including music reviews, personal reflections, and insights on social media, alongside mentions of economic and political issues.
1213. My Head Talking to Hasan Minhaj
Paul Krugman discusses economic growth, Bitcoin skepticism, and the intersection of economics and politics in his conversation with Hasan Minhaj.
1214. Why America's extremes will both fail
An argument that American politics is increasingly dominated by engaged extremists due to technological changes, sidelining moderates and influencing policy-making through activist staffers.
1215. Can government coerce women into having more babies?
Tyler Cowen examines the effects of coercive government policies on women's birth rates, using Romania's Decree 770 as a case study.
1216. DVDs and public transit: Boycott drives people to ditch Big Tech to protest ICE
Juliana Kim discusses a boycott against tech companies perceived as supporting President Trump's immigration policies, urging people to abandon Big Tech.
1217. Trump promised a crypto revolution. So why is bitcoin crashing?
An argument that examines the disconnect between political promises regarding cryptocurrency and the subsequent decline in bitcoin's value.
1218. The economics of the NBA trading deadline (from my email)
Tyler Cowen discusses the economic incentives driving NBA trades, particularly regarding luxury tax avoidance and team strategies influenced by collective bargaining changes.
1219. Layoff Announcements: Do they Lead Actual Layoffs?
An argument that layoff announcements correlate with actual layoffs, supported by data analysis and Granger causality testing, indicating rising layoffs expected in 2026.
1220. Guest Contribution: “Caligula Reincarnated”
An argument that the unpredictable actions of a political figure reflect a departure from established norms, impacting both domestic and international economic and political landscapes.