Sunday, March 31, 2024

Wrap Up for March 2024

Sometimes, informal aspects of time arbitrage suggest intentional markets in communities.

Transitory or permanent? Four years of data tell the story.

Has digitized medical information created more problems than it has solved?

There are rational ways to address the immigration crisis.

It's often no simple matter for states to use financial windfalls for their intended purpose.

At some point the $34 trillion debt burden could upset financial markets.

The "missing middle" is certainly in need of more housing. That said, more than traditional buildings will be required, if only because so much traditional financing that once catered to this market is gone. 

Noncompete agreements have also affected medicine.

Economists really don't have much influence over public policy. Indeed, the time horizons of economists are too long for politics.

The Fed's large balance sheet is more of a problem than some realize.

AI is already helping cardiac patients.

Near future energy needs may end up partially unmet, due to environmental NIMBYs.

Vienna  learned a viable response to homelessness, years ago.

It's going to take more than rental supply gains to address affordability.

India has the most confidence in the global economy.

The density of Japanese cities makes them quite livable.

Basic income advocates tend to forget how important work actually is for self respect.

We are living in an exponential age.

Biden is (belatedly) concerned about housing policy.

"Weather forecasting has come a long way."

The dollar still provides ample benefits as the world's reserve currency.

Some of the recent economic strength could be attributed to immigration.

Despite Powell's claim, a changed insurance landscape is a poor (supply side) reason to maintain higher inflation levels. In order to achieve more accurate and stable nominal representation, the Fed should acknowledge changed insurance realities now, rather than allowing them to continue affecting inflation.

The "jagged frontier" of generative AI performance.

What stands in the way of energy abundance?

"How do people across the world spend their time?"

Were it not for the owner equivalent rent, the economy appears close to equilibrium. Alas, I'm concerned it's not close enough!

Rural hospitals are facing a difficult choice when they can't afford both: emergency departments, or hospital beds?

End times, maybe?

Single room occupancy dwellings could provide one solution to homelessness.

"Prolonged scarcity is dangerous territory."

The deficit in plumbers is only growing wider.

Real estate for buyers is likely about to become more automated.

What affects recessions that have become less severe over time?

Heating could become the biggest household energy challenge.

Younger people increasingly have the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Some considerations for place-based policies. 

Brookings explains the basics of Medicare.

"economists make a big mistake when they dismiss the complaints of the public with regards to the measurement of inflation." Scott Sumner responds.  To me, it seems asset valuations matter in equilibrium due to their impact on many operational costs. For example, housing and rental valuations affect what employers need to pay their employees, which in turn affects whether companies and their employees can remain in given environments.

Training is a vital link between new technology and (consequent) improved productivity. However it's not always easy for companies to pay for the necessary skills involved. Previously I've advocated for time arbitrage to help with skills gaps in product installation and maintenance at local levels. Indeed, providing tech skills that are locally maintained, could make it easier for companies to find ready markets for their product. 

How are nursing homes able to hide so much of their profits? I had certainly been fooled, since I thought a lot of nursing homes struggled to even stay in business.

An apt explanation why the economy is difficult for some right now, but not as much for others.

There's a place in the world for slow writers.

There's good reason why "friends are always right".

Globally, plastic recycling rates are still far too slow. That's a shame, especially since plastics hold such potential for affordable housing. For that matter, pull apart plastic housing components could be made flood resistant. Ultimately, that could help reduce today's rising home insurance rates.

"Ten economic facts about rental housing." And, Timothy Taylor offers highlights from the Brookings report.

The long run neutrality of money still matters.

Why don't rising borrowing costs contribute to inflation?

Perhaps not so surprising that manufacturing is still China's favorite economic activity.

Three reasons could explain why we haven't witnessed a recession recently.

Compared to other countries, our support for climate change policies is somewhat limited.

Some visuals and facts re multigenerational households.

Debt related drivers license suspensions aren't exactly common sense.

Inflation really rubs people the wrong way.

Economic growth occurs when technology "moves into widespread use".

Two competing worldviews are close to evenly divided.

There is no moral high ground for CO2 emissions.

What caused the world to change so much in the 2010s?

Some are thinking twice about living in Florida.

It's difficult to realize how different life really was before the World Wars.