Author Archives: Yves Smith

The Crapification of Mattresses and Retail Therapy (and an Iran Aside)

The sorry state of mattresses as a worthwhile distraction from the sudden US escalation against Iran.

Credit Cycles and Asset Returns

Yves here. I’m clearly not in touch. I am surprised that this finding, that credit booms predict equity busts, is novel. Of course, given that manias last way longer than cooler heads deem possible, judging the peak of a credit cycle is tricky business. Nevertheless, when a wee summer associate at bond trading powerhouse Salomon […]

Links 1/2/2020

A Theory or Two of These Grim Times

A theory about why things are a mess.

We Broke Down the Last Decade of Climate Change in 7 Charts

Some key climate change factoids.

AI and the Productivity Paradox

AI has not delivered expected productivity gains. Some thoughts as to why.

Extending Sort of Comments Holiday

We didn’t really have a comments holiday…so we are extending our “reduced comments” compromise to allow Jules Dickson a proper break.

Trump, Granting Lobbyist Demands, Quietly Handed Billions More in Tax Breaks to Huge Corporations: Report

Team Trump keeps soldiering along with its pro-corporate agenda.

Australia Burning; Tourists in New South Wales and Victoria Flee to Beaches

A grim take from smoky Australia.

Links 12/28/19

7 Science-Based Strategies To Boost Your Willpower and Succeed with Your New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s self-improvement! Tips on how to organize your life to as to improve your willpower.

Reports Of Patients’ Deaths Linked To Heart Devices Lurk Below Radar

Another KHN scoop on how the FDA has been hiding reports of bad outcomes with medical devices, in this case, ones for heart disease.

Links 12/27/19

How Amazon Gains Control & Domination

Amazon takes over the last mile and everything else.