Month: February 2017

Why Socialism for the Rich, Capitalism for the Poor?

This article is going viral: Why Socialism for the Rich, Capitalism for the Poor? A small annoyance is how the word ‘socialism’ has come to mean so many things, usually depending on the underlying political or economic motives of whoever is using it, that it’s become hard to define. Socialism can mean: 1. Partial or… Continue reading Why Socialism for the Rich, Capitalism for the Poor?

The Advantages of Real Estate over Stocks

I’n the past, I’ve defended real estate ownership as a way to create long-term wealth, versus renting, which gradually destroys your wealth (but more specifically, prevents you from ever creating wealth, because you’re constantly bleeding cash every month). James Altucher staunchly opposes home ownership, in which I disagree. Another critic of home ownership is Robert… Continue reading The Advantages of Real Estate over Stocks

Does America owe its success to exploitation, genocide and slavery?

Warren Buffett’s annual shareholder letters are scrutinized by investors and enthusiasts hoping to glean insight from one of the most influential and successful people in business and finance, about his insight and projections–not just about Berkshire Hathaway, but about US and global economy as a whole. On Hacker News, Buffett’s 2016 letter generated significant debate,… Continue reading Does America owe its success to exploitation, genocide and slavery?

The Decline of ‘Low Information’ Conservatism

This article is going viral Advice to the Alt-Right Vox Day and Zman represent an insurgency against the ‘low information’ brand of conservatism that is characteristic of NRO, Drudge, Townhall, and elsewhere. Smart conservatives, in particular, are tired of hyper-partisanship and low-information punditry that regurgitates the same old predictable talking points, platitudes, and homilies…We, the… Continue reading The Decline of ‘Low Information’ Conservatism

Why Bitcoin Keeps Going Up: Analysis

The huge 2016-2017 Bitcoin rally is on a lot of people’s minds: Why does it keep going up? Didn’t all the ‘experts’ in 2011-2014 say it was a bubble? Why does it refuse to burst? Is it a bubble? Maybe not. Correct Predictions, Part 2: Over and over again I keep being right: Bitcoin keeps… Continue reading Why Bitcoin Keeps Going Up: Analysis

Grey Notes: No Trump Impeachment

If Trump is Impeached, it Might Be the End of America: It could become a sort of reverse Cambodian Year Zero. In 1975, Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge took control of Cambodia, declared all money valueless and forced the “New People”—urban artists and intellectuals—out into the countryside to work the fields. The idea was… Continue reading Grey Notes: No Trump Impeachment

How To Predict

Most people when they make predictions, predict change. I’m the opposite in that I predict that things will tend to remain unchanged, which has worked well for me since 2011 (and in retrospect best agrees with the subsequent empirical evidence). The S&P 500 keeps making new highs every week. Same for home prices in the… Continue reading How To Predict

Much Ado About Milo

Milo is in the news again for some comments he made..There’s Milo, theideological ally of the right…and then there’s Milo’s private life. I think you have to try to separate the art from the artist. Some are saying Milo is in deep trouble. IMHO, he’ll be fine. Losing the book deal was just a one-month… Continue reading Much Ado About Milo