Reading time: < 1 minute

From EconStories.tv. Looks like the guys will make more fun economics related videos so stay tuned. You can also download an audio version of the Keynes-Hayek rap battle on the EconStories site. Yes, I have already done so.

Reading time: < 1 minute

1. U Chicago econ prof Raghuram Rajan on the future of capitalism

2. Mankiw on the growth in the monetary base and its relation to inflation fears

3. VCs are being pushed to later stage investing

4. Ways of reading

5. Jonathan Gruber on the “Cadillac Tax“

Reading time: < 1 minute

Very cool visualization by Pedro M. Cruz.

Visualizing empires decline from Pedro M Cruz on Vimeo.

Reading time: 1 – 2 minutes

David Roodman’s latest post excerpts some of Stuart Rutherford’s thoughts on microfinance and its effect on the lives of the poor. Rutherford, founder of Save Safe, skips the marketing speak and gives a more realistic take on microfinance, which I appreciate. Roodman’s summary of Rutherford’s key insights is timely considering the increased scrutiny on microfinance lately. (See my posts on Portfolios of the Poor and on some recent studies from MIT for more information on the debate.)

Rutherford’s bottom line on microfinance is especially pragmatic so I will reproduce it here:

[Microfinance is] a useful service that may not always transform poor people’s lives but rarely fails to help them.

That is probably a good context in which to look at, and judge, microfinance as an aid to the poor. For more of Rutherford’s thoughts please check out Roodman’s post. It is well worth a read for anyone interested in the efficacy of microfinance.

Reading time: < 1 minute

1. Programmer productivity and pay discrepancies

2. Higher gasoline and carbon taxes may be on the horizon (and why that’s a good thing)

Reading time: < 1 minute

1. A decade of creative destruction (pdf)

2. At least we don’t live in the dark ages

3. $5 billion (with a B) gift cards aren’t redeemed each year

4. Christmas cost 1.8% more this year

5. Why you shouldn’t buy Christmas presents (no wonder why they call it the dismal science)

6. The case against the millionaire surtax

Reading time: < 1 minute

1. David Brooks on the protocol economy

2. How a new communications technology disrupted America’s newspapers – in 1845

3. Tabarrok’s “no give, no take” policy to be implemented in Israel

4. It’s really who you know and where they are

5. EconTalk: James Hamilton on debt, default and oil

6. When socially responsible investing isn’t: the 529 plan debacle