Author Archives: Yves Smith

Experts Lay Out Their Case Against Carbon Pricing

Climate change policy advocates have turned against market approcaches like carbon offsets, which have clearly failed. But what next?

Why Work at Home Is Not Likely to Thrive After the Covid Era

Despite its popularity, expect work at home to be reined in when we reach life after Covid.

Lessons from the First New Deal for the Next One

Whether it is called “Build Back Better” or a Green New Deal, it is imperative to reject the false dichotomy of “jobs against climate.”

Only Multilateral Cooperation Can Stop Harmful Tax Competition

International tax reform, to check multinational tax avoidance, has made perilously little progress. Will Yellen’s backing make a difference?

Links 4/13/2021

UNCTAD’s Richard Kozul-Wright on the Post-COVID World Economy: Out of the Frying Pan… Into the Fire?

Kozul-Wright warns that for a sustainable Covid-19 recovery, it is key to abandon policies that concentrate economic power and wealth

What is the Bullshit Economy?

Establishing some first principles of the bullshit economy.

The War Nerd: Taiwan — The Thucydides Trapper Who Cried Woof

Parsing the war of words (and some deeds) between the US and China, particularly over Taiwan.

Expose at Pennsylvania’s Biggest Public Pension Fund Reveals Lavish Private Equity Travel, But Misses How It Serves as a Bribe

Pennsylvania pension fund PSERS is under the hot lights for pricey travel. And its explanations only confirm its capture by private equity.

Michael Hudson Asks Our Readers: If Democracy Winds Up Creating Financial Dominance, What Do We Call China?

Michael Hudson seeks reader input on what to call modern governments not run by traditional nobles or financial interests.

What Covid Means for the Athlete’s Heart

Preliminary data suggests up to 1 in 5 people with Covid-19 wind up with heart inflammation. Athletes should fare better but are at risk too.

Wikipedia’s Deep Ties to Big Tech

Contrary to its image as a cash-strapped, open public service, Wikipedia tries to hide that it is a wealthy NGO with close ties to big tech.

FBI Investigating Reporting Fraud at $62 Billion Pennsylvania Public Pension Fund, PSERS; Returns Allegedly Falsified to Avoid Increased Worker Contributions

A major public pension fund, PSERS, looks to have been cooking its books, to the degree that the FBI is asking difficult questions.