The Economics, Tech, Health and Culture Remix (beta)

I watched Avengers Endgame last weekend. I loved it. There’s a ton of links on articles on every aspect of the movie at the bottom of this page. Outside of that, today’s curated list includes life advice from the Stoics, how our memory works and the best way to date (for enduring relationships). On the health front, how to eat healthily at airports, dehydration issues and the benefits of dancing. In tech, Google will allow you to auto-delete history, some musings on Tesla and Microsoft and deflating the hype around the singularity. Enjoy!

My curated list is longer than usual as I missed a few weeks, but it’s worth the wait. On health, how carbs are helpful, fixing hip pains and our brains are shrinking. On personal life matters, some tips on how to have enduring relationships, allowing your kids to take risks and how to be a force for good in social networks. On society, how to live “zero waste”, the challenge for self-driving cars and the infiltration of surveillance tech in our lives. On the lighter side, Punjabi-Mexican cuisine, Avenger clips to see before Endgame, and Freddy Mercury as you’ve never […]

On policy, we find US labour taxes are amongst the highest in the world if you include medical costs, US roads are falling apart, but the robots are rising and IMF needs to be reformed. On growth, avoiding the Japan trap, why trade tariffs are bad and the issue with minimum wages. On markets, credit ratings and structure finance, and how the end of fossil fuels will hurt markets. Finally check out the new 50 cent coin in Australia at the bottom.

Some good office-related articles from email tips to whether feedback works. On social interactions, how to compliment women, greet in Japan and how relationships have changed since the 1970s. I have some great city guides for New York, London, Hong Kong and Singapore. On the tech side, how Teslas can be hacked, how much internet traffic Youtube consumes and soft robots. Plus some great fun pieces at the bottom. Enjoy. The Moment The Matrix Changed Everything Writer remincesnce on the impact the movie had on him. 

Some good articles on politics from Brexit guides to US religiosity to Left populism. On the macro side, I have articles on secular stagnation, nominal GDP targeting and of course Modern Monetary Theory. I have a slew of articles on investing and trading models including on momentum models, FX models and estimates of risk premia. Finally, a shocking stat on the current effective US corporate tax rate (scroll down!).

Good range of articles this week. On the self-improvement side: life-lessons for movie cats, how depression hits teenage boys and girls differently and the science of innovation. On the tech side: Volvo’s in-car camera to watch you, edge AI tech and US’s new exascale computer. On the fun side, 100 podcasts to listen to, most influential books of the past 20 years and silly and cruel beauty products from the past. Enjoy.

This week, I have some good articles on monetary policy with one arguing that high US rates before 2008 pushed people into shadow financing, while another argues that recent low interest rates are leading to monopolistic industries ( Seems like central bankers can never get it right). Larger companies are also apparently weakening the wage bargaining power of workers.  To make matters worse automation will make many jobs redundant, and there’s an excellent article with shiny graphics that runs through the sectors that will decline (or grow). On markets, there’s a few articles on trading models that stood out – […]

This edition leans towards tech and science: why big tech is not a monopoly in the conventional sense, what happened to all those Uber-style businesses and scientists want to dim the sun. On the culture side, Captain Marvel defies trolls, do you know who Billie Eilish is and indie movies to look out for. Health-wise, you learn about the nuances of the placebo effect, sleep issues and the trouble with excessive hygiene. There’s a bunch more fascinating articles, and great pics at the bottom of the email. Enjoy.

Some very good  pieces on investing including one: tips from the top investors, an equity trading model and the ins-and-outs of initial (crypto) coin offerings (ICOs). On the macro side, we have some good pieces on how to model financial crises, the inflation of smartphones and how debt doesn’t cause inflation. We have Mankiw writing about writing textbooks, policymakers worried about climate change and why everyone does not value university education. There’s also a bunch of articles on China including some on its currency regime and reserve management. Enjoy…

Great selection of free articles this week. On the work front, bring Maria Kondo to your work space, weaponising your email, and what personality traits do CEOs have that others don’t (not what you expect). Health-wise a sobering article on the efficacy of anti-depressants, some myths exploded on healthy skin and are you self-actualised ?(take the quiz). A bunch of tech stories especially on the challenges big tech is facing (taxes, privacy), the latest developments in transport (car subscription models, e-scooters) and China’s massive new power grid. On the lighter side, free site to colourise your photos, what happened to […]

Today’s wrap-up leans a bit more towards the evolving structure of economies. It seems households are investing lots in R&D (but it is not measured), there is a difference between the 1% and the 0.1% and how collective wage bargaining impacts Italy differently to Germany. Elsewhere there’s a good article on how the US trade deficit is more due to global forces than US ones, while another argues that US inflation is caused by the US factors and not global ones. For markets, we have a good piece on how CoCos  needs to be changed, the Fed argues the secular […]

This week, we have a flurry of pieces on increasing US debt (the good and the bad), raising taxes on the rich and some excellent century-spanning data on English wealth. On growth, almost all economists expect a US recession by 2021 at the latest, the Fed hints at following BoJ policy if things get bad, and the geo-politics of trade agreements. On the latter, we also have some articles on the 5G issue and China as well as challenges China is facing in its Belt and Road Initiative. The markets side, a trading strategy that combines momentum and signals from […]

Lots of self-help in today’s list from 40 push ups as test for your true health to signs of healthy relationships to “coping” with financial windfalls. Some surprising articles on how sellers sabotage their competitors on Amazon, China’s new most downloaded app (from the government!) and the increasing presence of Emoji’s in court proceedings. I also feature a bunch of city lists: best pastries in London, best “undiscovered” trails in Singapore, best cosmetic stores in Tokyo and best new restaurants in HK. Around 40 articles in total with short summaries on each. Enjoy… Chinese schoolgirl shamed for using robot to […]

For some reason there’s a slew of articles on factor investing and trading models – some are positive and some are scathing. Also, good articles on the impact of economic news in negative rate environments (not much), how banks trade post-Volcker (less equity risk) and a review of CDS markets. On policy, there’s a bunch of articles on how to ease policy when rates are low, the challenge of services-based economies on VAT receipts and whether GDP is the right target for policymakers. Elsewhere, there’s a great history on parties splitting in the UK, how EU populism could be peaking […]

Today’s edition leans more towards the arts than tech. Some good articles on fashion trends, including 2019 being the year to grow your hair out (for men). On the health-front, self-propelling pills could replace injections, the benefits to your brain of running and can you eat snow?! I have a bunch of lists: movies to watch on Netflix and Amazon, the best True Crime podcasts and new restaurants. There’s a great article on how hedge fund capital, Greenwich Connecticut is becoming more diverse. Also, an excellent interview of the Wu-Tang Clan, a scary deepfake of Steve Buscemi and Jennifer Lawrence […]

There’s been a flurry of pieces on inequality and taxes thanks to new proposals by US politicians, I include the best ones.  They range from how Trump tax changes could boost productivity to how immigrants claim less retirement/social security benefits. Some interesting inflation pieces including on using median inflation rates rather than core inflation. A great piece on why the US’s fertility rate is falling (twenty-somethings having less babies and less unintended pregnancies). A piece on ignoring financial TV, another on a new EU policy that could rupture the euro-area and responses to the US’s latest withdrawal from a nuclear […]

A bunch of good articles on self-improvement from valuing time more than money, how to stop smoking and joys of classical music. Then on the tech front, robots to park your car, detecting diseases from your breath and robots that can hear your thoughts. On the pessimistic side, big tech messes up on targeting children, questions open up about tracking location data for real estate developers and the ubiquity of Google. Finally, on the fun side, which hip hop star uses the widest vocabulary, who are the non-music power players in the music industry and the latest MBA ranking.  

Close to 50 articles this week, each with short summaries. A good range of articles on politics that look at majority identity and populism, Trump and Ocasio-Cortez’s social media strategy and Soros’ attack on China. On the macro side, a good article on how the non-manufacturing sector needs to be elevated as a driver of the business cycle, another on how inflation expectations are formed (depends on IQ and news source) and some on wage suppression issues. There’s a nice selection of articles on climate change including on pro-and anti-protests, the language of climate change and increasing frequency of high […]

Over 50 articles this week (with short summaries as usual). I lean a bit more tech with stories on Japan going cashless with blockchain, Huawei’s culture vs Lenovo’s and Apple’s data registry idea. I have a special section on new jobs like renting a sister, dating app ghostwriter and retail arbitrageurs (buy at Walmart, sell on Amazon). On self-help, how to be courageous, get rid of bad breath and free online Ivy League courses. With the Oscars almost upon, I have a section on movies, including worst movies of the year (Gotti!). Finally do you know what the longest continuous […]

There are some really good pieces on sustainability of high public debt (not always a mess), and the rise of leverage loans. On inequality, we get more confirmation of widening inequality, how universal basic income could work and how US tax cuts mainly helped US corporates. There’s a bunch of bearish articles on China, some ideas for Europe and the revival of Japanese  millennial buying power. I’ve also included some articles on the impact of changes in global trade including the impact of Brexit on the UK and the rest of Europe. Finally, on the financial markets side, a new […]

I’ve overweighted health and self-help articles this week to keep the momentum going on New Year’s resolutions. Apparently, the third Thursday of January is when things go downhill. For inspiration then, I have articles that suggest reducing red  meat to help the planet, focusing on your VO2 capacity to measure your health and techniques to slow down. On the tech front, another massive data breach, Apples future could be TV and as much as half the internet could be populated by bots rather than humans. Then I have some excellent lists of podcasts, some fun images and an excellent essay […]

Some insightful articles on the super-rich, notably  they get killed in China and  they have to work in the US. I’ve found some good articles on China, particularly on various inefficiencies in innovation subsidies and coal production. I also highlight the growing tech war between the US and China. Then there are some good articles on currency factors, market volatility and common-share holdings. On the economics front, there’s a study that shows that happiness is linked to the provision of public goods, how sovereign debt levels may not be as much of a constraint as many think and how changing […]

The best of new consumer products have been on display at the CES conference in Las Vegas, and there are some pretty cool ones. Elsewhere, a bunch of “how to” articles :  holding chopsticks, using your smartphone camera, learning a new skill. On the science front, several great articles including alien radio signals, the intelligence of crows and pictures of an atom.  There are scary big brother developments such tech attaching to bees! And a few articles on Big Tech and much much more. Enjoy!

Here’s my first curation for 2019 and there were some surprisingly good pieces produced over the past month. We have Paul Krugman, Ken Rogoff and Larry summers wade into policy waters – they disagree on the use of fiscal stimuli, taxing the rich and negative rates. There were a swathe of articles on the euro’s 20thbirthday – all agree the construct is imperfect but they vary in their pessimism on its future. There are some great data and charts; notably Chinese growth data back to the 10th century and which countries the US media has obsessed about over the past 100 […]

In my last “best of” list of 2018, I’ve picked a lighter selection of articles. All of them will give you  a smile. You’ll discover that the Scandis may be not so perfect after all as they are not that generous. We find out which books have featured most in end-year lists. There are some funny videos including one with Home Alone’s Macaulay Culkin. And Ever wondered what a terrible map  looks like? You’ll find out. Enjoy!

Some excellent articles on politics this week including one on how populism has actually been on the rise since the 1980s and another on how governments could suppress dissent on social media. There’s a bunch of good outlooks and risk scenarios for 2019.  A good article on the evolution of Warren Buffet investment style. Some useful pieces on yield curves and growth across G7. And some fascinating pieces on China. Enjoy.

Facial recognition tech has entered music concerts, China has the largest telescope dish on earth (0.5km wide), a depositary of start-up pitch books and a breakthrough in cancer detection are some of the tech/science stories I feature. On the culture side, I have “Instagram sitters” (!) for when you go away, how K-pop is influencing global fashion and Puma’s dorkiest shoe ever. Then there are lists of best TV shows of the year, strangest facts and Hollywood winners and losers. And there’s much much more so make sure to scroll all the way down. Enjoy. 

More of an end-year review feel to this curated list. Aside from the “Best Of” everything lists from around the web, I include some great photos, some self-help tips (music to reduce anxiety, how to wear a V-neck sweater) and the top earning You Tube Stars of 2018 (#1 earns $22mn a year, but guess how old he is).      

Every week I get surprised by how much good quality work is available for free. This week, aside from the articles mentioned in the subject line, we have some articles on the poor performance of US university endowment funds, how climate change responsible companies see their stock prices go up, and some new data sources on uncertainty and partisan conflict. There are some insightful papers on house prices at the country and city level. A slew of articles on US monetary policy –  why hasn’t QT seen higher rates, is unmeasured productivity holding inflation down and should the Fed revise […]

I’ve got some excellent articles this week. Two papers on trading markets around events: one on equities and FOMC and one on bonds and auctions. Some good papers on how business cycles and monetary policy spills over from big countries to smaller ones. Another on the difference between the financial cycle and the business cycle. I have a bunch of articles on the growing “Cold War” rivalry between the US and China. And there a few on inequality. Finally, the FT has its recommendations for best econ books of 2018.     INVESTING and TRADING The Periodic Table of Investments […]

Lots of political events in recent weeks, so I have few articles on US midterms and UK’s Brexit. On the more macro side, there are some interesting articles on how to think about central bank balance sheets, EM inflation and fiscal crowding out in Italy. Oh, and I have an article listing the  most expensive business schools in the world. Enjoy.

Some big health studies came out recently which support the case of some health supplements. Tech innovation continues with Dubai Police buying “hoversurf drones” and the rise of death doulas.  

Back to regular service for my weekly reviews of online articles. This week, I lean a bit more to politics with pieces on the flaws in the US primary system of nominating candidates, modernity and political identity and Euro-area reform. On the econ side, there are pieces on why investment in cloud services is under-reported, the lower bound on EM monetary policy and some geeky pieces on rates/FX risk premium. Oh and some fun pieces that include which law schools are “under-ranked”. Enjoy. Structural Economics (5) The Scandinavian Style of Capitalism Provides a more balanced perspective of the Scandi model […]

There were some really good free articles available across the internet over the past week. One site started to feature books of the decades starting with the 1900s, another gives an excellent analysis on the coming tech war between the FANGS to win our houses, then there’s an essay on how the Silicon Valley super-rich are using a loophole from Trump’s bill to lower their tax bills and even one on how to live off-grid. As usual I have a broad range of articles, so make sure you scroll to the bottom. Food and Drink Section (3) Unlimited Electric Gum: […]

This week, I have a varied selection of articles including a bunch on cities. Additionally, there a few on how US monetary policy may not work as fast you think, some new sovereign risk measures from the ECB, the UK’s Brexit experience from Roman times, China’s rich list and much much more. Enjoy.   Tech and Intangible Economy (8) America Is Losing Its Edge for Startups It used to be that 95 percent of global startup and venture-capital activity happened in the U.S. Today, it’s just over one-half.This mainly because of China over the past few years.

There were lots and lots of great articles this week, so I’ve featured a bit more than usual. There are some good analyses on Facebook, tech evolution and some crazy apps. I’ve got some great guides to various cities, including the world’s best bars. Then there are some fun features on Japan’s new bullet train, an amazing academic hoax and new plans for a JFK airport upgrade. Enjoy Department Of Health (8) Experts Answered Every Question We’ve Ever Had About Sleep Covers all bases. Discovered that sleeping pills sedate you rather than make you sleep. Best tip for sleeping well […]

Some big reports came out this week from the IMF, IPCC (climate change), McKinsey and the US military – all have a bearing on global macro. And as usual I find a bunch of other relevant articles ranging from monetary policy to inequality.   Climate Change and the Environment Global Warming of 1.5 °C The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) just released its latest report. We have 12 years to go before we hit the critical 1.5 degree increase in global warming (see chart at top of email), which could see some extreme weather effects. The report is very […]

I’ve gone through piles and piles of articles and found the best from this week. I have some guides to TV and restaurants, some fascinating angles on  the web, and some good stuff on personal development and parenting tips. Enjoy! Surgery Of Self-help The Most Important Survival Skill for the Next 50 Years Isn’t What You Think Yuval Noah Harari (“Sapiens”, “Homo Deus”) explains why the best preparation is not learning code, but rather developing mental flexibility

There are some excellent articles in this edition. There are some for the more quant-inclined like ones on nowcasting models using big data, bond order flow analysis and global risk aversion measures. While others are more macro looking at trade wars, Italian fiscal issues and what cause economic growth. Enjoy…  

I’ve scoured the web and gleaned over 50 great articles. More of a health and social scene vibe in this edition and some really funny articles. Enjoy. Ministry Of the Rich (4) Rich people are to blame for the rise of Lyme disease  The disease causes symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, fatigue and attacks on joints, muscles and even the brain. It causes by bacteria carried by ticks that thrive on forest left behind between developed lots. The edge between city and land provides the perfect shading and plant growth for these ticks. And it’s rich people who ask for […]