While checking out documentaries on the web recently I came across this brilliant one. It’s a documentary produced by Adam Curtis (of The Power of Nightmares fame) for the BBC called The Trap. It’s about “freedom” in our modern times, but it has even more important undertones (in my opinion) dealing with the individual’s “self” in the context of society, and game theory. It’s quite hard to explain, but very much worth a viewing. Links after the jump. Continue reading A surprisingly insightful documentary
And the Canadian consumer takes it in the shorts again.
We Canadians get the short shrift on just about everything, be it mobile phone services, or cars, but now someone’s come up with a comparison of broadband internet providers that shows just how much we’re getting screwed here north of the 49th parallel.
That’s economic crisis porn for ya.
Those of us who have lost a bit of cash on the market recently can take a little schadenfreude-based relief in this site, whose name says it all: Sad Guys on Trading Floors. Featuring pictures of, you guessed it, sad guys on trading floors.
Clearly the current crisis wasn’t unforeseen.
The financial crisis is all over the news nowadays, but some people did see it coming. Watch this CNBC appearance by Peter Schiff if you want to see someone getting it right two years ago… and listen to Art Laffer foolishly attempt to rebut him with see blind, jingoistic optimism.
The Paulson Trillion-Dollar Bonanza: What’s Not to Like, Part III
I’ve been giving some thought as to the actual value of continuing with this series, because a)over the weekends the bailout proposal has changed considerably, and as of the time of my writing this this newer agreement has already been turned down by the House of Representatives. Continue reading The Paulson Trillion-Dollar Bonanza: What’s Not to Like, Part III
One last reading for tonight…
While we’re on the subject of banking crises, we quickly forget that Japan had its own troubles in this area just over a decade ago. This article on the crisis, written by the then-Director of the Bank of Japan, makes for interesting reading in these interesting times.
I guess I’m not alone in thinking this!
Here’s an interview excerpt (with context) from Bert Ely, a credentialed American banking expert, who shares my (and Denninger’s) opinion that Paulson’s mega-bailout just isn’t necessary.
Is the Fed speaking out of both sides of its mouth?
Ben Bernanke spent a lot of time in front of Congress on Tuesday arguing that there’s a credit crisis out there, so why did the Fed recently shrink the float by $125 billion and why is it still resisting a consensus-recommended half-percent rate cut? Is it, as some paranoid people could suggest, a way to generate a need for an all-encompassing mega-bailout plan?
The Paulson Trillion-Dollar Bonanza: What’s Not to Like, Part II
Yesterday I wrote at some length about how the US economy has gotten to the point where Paulson and Bernanke decided it would be worth spending 5 hours promising Congress gloom & doom unless they got a record-busting bailout measure passed. So, why not like this (theoretically) $700B plan to “save the markets”? There are a number of reasons, which I shall put forward here. For reference, here is the draft proposal for the bailout so you can follow along.
Continue reading The Paulson Trillion-Dollar Bonanza: What’s Not to Like, Part II
Livestation
I’ve had broadband internet access for over 10 years now, about as long as it’s been available, and many times I’ve seen claims of “TV over the internet” trumpeted but prove disappointing when put to a real-world test. That being said, Livestation delivers. If you’ve always wanted to see Al-Jazeera English, BBC World and news stations from France, Germany, the United States and around the world on your PC, give it a try. Why not, it’s free…