Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The Other China Shock: How Surging Chinese Imports Transformed Global Agriculture
hinese demand for food imports resulted in a significant increase in global cropland and higher profits for farmers exposed to this demand shock. It further highlights that this Chinese food shock served as the main impetus for global deforestation over the period.
Book Review: Tackling the Riddle of Free Will
Two provocative books explore whether humans have “freee will,” as in control over their personalities, actions, and fates.
Gaza: Did the West Learn Nothing from the Peace Process in Ireland?
UK politicians’ ambivalence over a Gaza ceasefire shows how little they learned from the Troubles
2:00PM Water Cooler 11/17/2023
~ Today’s Water Cooler ~
“Should CalPERS Fire Everyone and Just Buy Some ETFs?”
Another well-substantiated critique of CalPERS’ investment performance.
Oh, the Irony: IMF Chief Touts Benefits of Cashless Future In Singapore, Just Weeks After a Major Payments Outage
“This is not the time to turn back on central bank digital currencies,” Kirstalina Georgieva said. At the same time, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is advising the public to “carry some cash” as a contingency for further outages.
Michael Hudson: Were the Prophets Anti-Semitic? Debunking Netanyahu’s Distorted Biblical Justifications for Genocide
Michael Hudson explains why Netanyahu’s invocation of Samuel is a rank distortion of Mosaic covenants and the implications of that episode.
Has the Energy Transition Hit a Wall?
The much-touted green transition is flagging due to rising materials costs.
2:00PM Water Cooler 11/16/2023
~ Today’s Water Cooler ~
Quelle Surprise! Fast Fashion Exploits Poor Workers; Industry Engages in Empty Virtue-Signalling
Don’t believe the fashion industry’s stated commitment to support a living wage for Bangladesh’s garment workers.
Biden Administration’s Limit on Drug Industry Middlemen Backfires, Pharmacists Say
“Biden Administration initiative backfires” is almost a default title. But here, the consequences for pharmacies and patients are significant
