Cochrane on Krugman

John is always fun to read and Paul makes an easy target.

But where are Ringo and George?

Austan Goolsbee does standup

Competition enters the exciting new field of economics stand-up.



Do they give NSF grants for this?

Via dynamist.com

The Regents' Cube

Apparently the official name for what I think of as the rotating lawsuit generator is actually the Regents' Cube. How can this heavy moving object not have a fence around it when it is less than 100 meters from the law school?

The last word on productivity

This blog rather sums it up.

Via: marginal revolutionaries

Dropping twenties in NYC

A fascinating Esquire piece on the power of the $20 bill.

It would be interesting to do a more systematic comparative study of different cites across the US:- NYC, DC, Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, LA.

This piece is worth remembering next time one reads some sanctimonious study of petty corruption in the third world.

Via Gulliver

Enough Obama

I'm sure you've been thinking the same thing I have. Where is Obama? You never see him on TV and no one ever seems to talk about him on the internet. So, if you are suffering from Obama deprivation, you can add more Obama to your life with these Obama checks. Four options are offered, each with a different picture and different inspirational saying, like "Yes, We Can!".

Actually, I'll just remain perplexed that people look to politicians of any flavor for guidance or inspiration. For me it is one of those mysteries of life, like the continued existence of White Castle restaurants.

Hat tip: Lisa Smith

Author bios

I found it very difficult the first time I had to write a little puff paragraph about myself. In my case it was for a conference program or web page and not a book, but the principle is the same as when you are writing it for a book, a magazine or an op-ed.

Dan Drezner wonders what it would be like if author bios were honest. I suspect that all of these are actually disguised references to real people but I only picked up two or three. Cass Bunstein, in particular, is not very well disguised, but then it is pretty flattering as well!