“From heavy-handed industrial policy in pursuit of an illusion of self-sufficiency, through barriers to trade and investment, to an immigration policy that treats foreign talent with suspicion, the effort to defeat the autocrats at their own game will not succeed. Rather, it will undo the foundations of what makes America—and the collective West—strong.” - Persuasion
Trust: The Forgotten Virtue Behind Economic Growth
“When cynicism and suspicion gain hold of a society, economic institutions crumble, long-term prosperity becomes a wan hope, and even simple day-to-day transactions become impossible.” - Acton
The Evaporating Promise of AGI: An Economist’s View
“Robert J. Marks welcomes economics professor and author Gary Smith to discuss the hype around artificial general intelligence (AGI) and AI’s impact on the market.” - ID the Future
What the right is getting wrong about AI
“As a lifetime conservative Reaganite and free marketeer, I would suggest that many on the right are erring on one side of the horse, only to get up and fall off on the other side.” - World
AI Watch, Part 2
“What AI at its BEST will do to the economy. The rural, small town resistance to AI. And the next election campaigns will be rife with AI.” - Veith
Also: AI Watch, Part 1
Socialism Was My Other Faith, But Not Anymore
“There were intoxicating promises of a grand new world devoid of antagonisms and social pathologies. We had a master plan to transform chaos into ease. As an embattled community, we sheltered ourselves under the mantle of the dream, and I was committed to becoming a faithful drop in the great wave of revolution” - IFWE
Want to Boost U.S. Affordability? Get Rid of Tariffs
“Even if a business doesn’t pass on any portion of the price increase to its customers, the higher cost of purchasing the item for the business will directly—and often immediately—come off its bottom line. The business won’t be able to afford to do as much—including, perhaps—pay its employees at the same rate or at all.” - Wealth & Poverty Review
America Is Drowning in Debt
“The national debt of the United States government is rapidly closing in on $37 trillion. Given that the nominal U.S. GDP is only $29.35 trillion, we owe significantly more than our economy produces. The interest payment alone on the debt is now the third-highest line-item expense, just after Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security.” - Breakpoint
Image of Capitalism Slips to 54% in U.S.
“Perceptions of socialism remain steady at 39% positive.” - Gallup
The Perennial Temptation: To Be as Gods
“In the logic of the story, Amanda should have died just after her coma. Rivermind’s power rests in extending life, but in so doing they offered her a product she could never cease using. And herein lies the possibility of modern technology.