Monthly Archives: October 2011

Wherein I mention the Spanish Inquisition

Posted on 26 October 2011 by zolltan

…I just thought I’d let you know so it wouldn’t be unexpected… Anyway, this quarter I am taking a genetics class with Joe Felsenstein, who, incidentally, is one of the bloggers at Panda’s Thumb. Last Wednesday, in the process of … Continue reading →

Posted in personal, science | 3 Comments

No Value Added: the Series!

Posted on 26 October 2011 by zolltan

I really like Brian Phillips’ (at Grantland) conception of our opinions of the personalities in sports as avatars in trials by combat. He has a lot of fun admitting to, and then ridiculing this idea: The problem is that if … Continue reading →

Posted in no value added | Leave a comment

Cut To The Chase

Posted on 24 October 2011 by Zuuko

1. The unpalatable fact remains that Europe may not have the capacity to rescue everybody that now seems to need rescuing without imperiling the financial health and ratings of stronger countries such as France and Germany. (Satyajit Das via, Abnormal Returns). … Continue reading →

Posted in Euro-Debacle, finance, politics | 1 Comment

“Perdido Street Station”

Posted on 23 October 2011 by zolltan

After “Game of Thrones,” I’ve been wondering what else fantasy has to offer, and thought a good place to look was China Miéville’s “Perdido Street Station”, which won all sorts of awards and was feted for not being like most … Continue reading →

Posted in books, reviews | Leave a comment

Bankers are not your Friends

Posted on 14 October 2011 by zolltan

The paradox of thrift is a good example of the idea that in terms of economics, making intuitive analogies between countries and people doesn’t always lead to a correct interpretation. A parallel thought is that bankers are not your friends. … Continue reading →

Posted in finance | 1 Comment

A Simple Solution: Europe-Wide Tax

Posted on 10 October 2011 by Zuuko

The crisis in Europe is complex, complicated and no clear or obvious solution is in sight. So, obviously for the last month, I’ve been on the fool’s errand of trying to get to the essence of it all in order … Continue reading →

Posted in Euro-Debacle, finance, politics | 9 Comments

David Sloan Wilson

Posted on 10 October 2011 by zolltan

Despite the fear I expressed on this blog, the IPEM seminars did not end this year, and so it was that Wednesday, after about 20 minutes’ worth of AV fumbling, I listened to a talk by David Sloan Wilson. The … Continue reading →

Posted in science | 2 Comments

Stupid like a Fox

Posted on 4 October 2011 by Zuuko

In my previous post on Europe, where I discussed the Euro, types of currency, and the underpinnings of monetary systems, I mentioned that: Nowadays, currency systems are based on fiat money – money that has value only by government law. The strength … Continue reading →

Posted in Euro-Debacle, finance, politics | Leave a comment