Today’s Water Cooler: Open Thread
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
How the International Monetary Fund Imposes Its Economic Policies on Argentina
The IMF has a long history of strong-arming the direction of Argentina’s policies and economy.
Christmas Hucksterism: The Last Mile of the Supply Chain is Safer Than You Think
A romp through surveys on “package thieves,” as publicized by a recent viral piece of Youtubery.
The Decline of African-American and Hispanic Wealth Since the Great Recession
Unlike income inequality, wealth inequality along racial lines in the US has received relatively little attention. This column highlights how cuts to social security will disproportionately affect minorities.
Michael Hudson: The Vocabulary of Economic Deception
Michael Hudson gives a wide-ranging interview, discussing the importance of euphemism in obscuring power relationships and exploitation.
Ethics and Artificial Intelligence
What can be done to manage the risks of artificial intelligence?
Holiday Schedule and a Sort of Comments Holiday
A note on holiday hours.
2:00PM Water Cooler 12/21/2018
Today’s Water Cooler: Trade policy, 2020 Democrat debates, Mattis hagiography and reactions, Pelosi cripples Green New Deal, DSA and racism, GDP, personal income and outlays, durable goods, manufacturing, CLOs, Amazon, Uber, antibiotics, Xmas phishing, biological and artificial intelligence
Media’s Russia Obsession Obscures How Trump’s Syria Withdrawal Benefits Turkey Most
A dose of sanity from Patrick Cockburn on Syria.
Marshall Auerback: All of Our Bets on China Have Been Wrong
Due to Western misperceptions and China’s rising authoritarianism, the current trade war is evolving dangerously into Cold War 2.0.
CalPERS’ Bill Slaton (Again) Embarrasses Himself and the CalPERS Board
CalPERS board member Bill Slaton demonstrates why he needs to go sooner rather than later.
