Friday Fun

Macroeconomics can be very personal.  Those observing the changes in its machination are often watching the same or similar factors, yet their description of an economy can be very different.  While decorum is often kept in the field, sometimes things are said which evoke thoughts of obscenity.  This happened Wednesday as the Chair of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, responded

Are we in a drought or not?  It depends on where you live.  According to the map above, virtually all of California is not.  Those living to the southeast of the Golden State are not so lucky.  How did this come to be?  An excess of rain last year in California helped.  However, the West Coast probably shouldn’t act as if the current state of water will last

We all know the old saw about slowly boiling a frog.  It is a cruel idea but demonstrates how the consequences of steady, yet destructive behaviors can sneak up on us if we aren’t careful.  America has been growing its levels of debt for years.  Some have worried about the outcome while others are more sanguine.  For now, those remaining calm have been on the right sid

Those in the economics profession are often charged with making forecasts.  For some periods, there is a lot of agreement regarding the path of the economy.  But then the road gets bumpier, and opinions begin to differentiate more and more.  Th

What causes the daily fluctuations in stock markets can seem confusing.  There’s a reason for that.  They are confusing.  From moment to moment, prices can change on a dime without any apparent cause.  It reminds me of a concept in quantum mechanics called Wave Function Collapse.

Philadelphia is a significant city in American history.  Delegates from 12 of the 13 original colonies met as there as the First Continental Congress on September 5, 1774, for a meeting which lasted until October.  Fast forward nearly two centuries and American Bandstand (AB) premiered there in March 1952.

America’s Electro-Harmonix and its sister company in Russia, Sovtek, have manufactured one of the most popular guitar pedals ever: the Big Muff Pi. This equipment offered three coveted characteristics to artists: reliability, a distinct sound, and relatively low cost. In the 1970s, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd used it on two albums: Animals and The Wall.

Surreal might best describe the feeling Mickey Newbury describes in his 1967 song “Just Dropped In.”  The song has been recorded by a lot of artists, suggesting what a fabulous song it really is.

At first, hopscotch, a children's game, and monetary policy, an aspect of macroeconomics, couldn't seem more disparate.

In the late 1970s, Johnny Paycheck released his iconic song, "Take This Job and Shove It," resonating with workers back then who felt trapped and dissatisfied in their employment.  Fast forward to today, and the dynamics of the job market have undergone a significant transformation.  With recent shifts in the economy, we find ourselves needing to change the tune of Paycheck&