Economic Misconceptions

Economics may be the gloomy science, but it’S also a counterintituve one. For example, research shows that stocks and treasury bonds react favorably to rising unemployment during expansionary periods (like today and the 90’s). This is because the economic benefits of lower interest rates (cheaper borrowing) exceeds the consequences of rising unemployment. That theme has… Continue reading Economic Misconceptions

2015 Market Predictions

My 2015 prediction/wish list: 1. American economic exceptionalism continues unimpeded. US stock market, US economy, and US dollar will continue to outperform global peers on a inflation adjusted basis. Between 2011-2014, adjusted for inflation, the S&P 500 has beaten everything. Aaron sums it up perfectly: It may be too early to enjoy the decline. America… Continue reading 2015 Market Predictions

The Daily View: Silicon Valley Diversity, Basic Income, Wealth Inequality

Intel Budgets $300 Million for Diversity The left wants to believe a lack of diversity is a sign of discrimination. It never occurred to them that maybe certain groups are underrepresented in certain industries because they either choose to not pursue that line of work or they are simply unqualified. The solution according to the… Continue reading The Daily View: Silicon Valley Diversity, Basic Income, Wealth Inequality

Autopilot Nation & The Winner Take all Economy

The ‘autopilot nation’ is part of the greater economic moderation and what Steven Pinker calls ‘the long peace’. As much as the left wishes it weren’t so, the world is becoming less violent, thanks in part to innovation, free markets, and the spread of American-style capitalism around the world. The left seeks civil war (rich… Continue reading Autopilot Nation & The Winner Take all Economy

Liberal Denial of Individual Congenital Cognitive Exceptionalism

As part of the left’s war on Individual Congenital Cognitive Exceptionalism, besides turning high-IQ into a handicap, another tactic is redefining IQ, such as saying there are two types of IQ: ‘common sense’ IQ and ‘mental performance’ IQ, or that IQ and intelligence are distinct. As an example of this trend, here’s a recent article… Continue reading Liberal Denial of Individual Congenital Cognitive Exceptionalism

Snapchat’s Huge Windfall : The State of Web 2.0

Looks like my 2014 prediction of Snapchat, originally valued at $4 billion, being worth $30 billion by 2016 is coming true. This talk of bubbles reminds me of 2007 when everyone, including all the experts, was certain Facebook was a bubble at a valuation of $15 billion after Microsoft invested; now it’s worth $200+ billion.… Continue reading Snapchat’s Huge Windfall : The State of Web 2.0

Abortion and Crime – When Political Correctness and Partisan Politics Gets in the Way of Promising Research and Policy

There’s an article from National Review going viral, reviving an almost two-decade old debate about the prophylactic effects of abortion on crime, originally brought to the public’s attention in the 2005 bestseller Freakonomics. Mona Charen writes: Some would have grown up to be Ben Carsons, Charlize Therons, Walt Disneys, Oprah Winfreys, and Sonia Sotomayors. Most… Continue reading Abortion and Crime – When Political Correctness and Partisan Politics Gets in the Way of Promising Research and Policy

Common Core Fallacy

The Man Behind Common Core Math The way you improve test scores and increase America’s economic competitiveness is to understand that higher IQ students will learn faster and more efficiently than lower IQ ones, and then by grouping the students accordingly. Instead of wasting billions trying to get everyone up to speed, let’s devote more… Continue reading Common Core Fallacy

Paul Graham on Immigration, Part 2

Paul Graham’s pro-tech immigration argument, as unpopular as it may be in certain liberal and non-neoconservative circles, is the most logically consistent with a meritocracy under a free market, where people should be promoted based on talent instead of national origin, and it’s inevitable the cap will be raised under a Republican president. A lot… Continue reading Paul Graham on Immigration, Part 2