Inspired by a podcast at MacroMusings, let’s talk about growth. Alex Tabarrok and Tyler Cowen, co-authors of a couple of excellent textbooks on the principles of economics, discuss what they mean by “cutting edge” growth and “catching up” growth. The reason for this distinction arises because of the claim that particular institutions promote economic growth. … Continue reading Master Chefs Grow Slower Than New Cooks
Don’t Judge My Shopping Therapy!
Humans make choices they believe will provide the greatest satisfaction according to their subjective values with the information they have on hand. These values are not only unique to each individual, they are unique to the circumstances under which a good or service is experienced.
Clearly Ambiguous — Institutions
A central question of economics is to understand how in the heck social coordination is able to exist in such a crazy world. With all our differences in beliefs, resources, abilities, and more, it is remarkable people can work together long enough to produce a Big Mac pretty much anywhere in the world. Economists will … Continue reading Clearly Ambiguous — Institutions
Balloons Missing From Hospitals
While visiting a family member at the hospital, I stopped by the gift shop to buy a balloon and a “get well” card. I grabbed a card but there were no balloons. The chatty cashier responded grief-strickenly, “Can you believe it? They say there is a helium shortage. So, we can’t fill up balloons anymore. … Continue reading Balloons Missing From Hospitals