Wrap Up for January 2026

Some charts and explanations for losses in G7 industrialization.

The recent transition to fiscal dominance is proving difficult to reverse.

Sweden hasn't had the efficiency gains from prefab construction that one might expect.

Where have fertility rates declined the most? And, there have been considerable shifts in global economic power since 1980.

Total output tends to tell us more about existing inequalities than income distribution.

AI thinking in demented times. Why is it so important to awaken superintelligence as a final goal, anyway? And: "Beijing has been preparing for Cold War without eagerness for waging it, while the US wants to wage a Cold War without preparing for it."

How big of a risk would it be for oil companies to invest in Venezuela now, given so many unknowns?

Home health and personal care aides are likely the fastest growing jobs of the coming decade. 

When it comes to actions taken by a state, context is more important than people often realize.

Venezuela has a complicated oil history. And,

Venezuela's heavy crude is more useful for  U.S. refining capacity than some realize.

The economic impacts of tariffs haven't been as disruptive as many expected them to be.

Recent policy strategy isn't just about oil, it's also about rare earths.

While low life expectancy in the U.S. is partly about young people, Hannah Ritchie takes a closer look at the particulars.

If Paul Krugman is right, perhaps more heavy oil will simply arrive in the Gulf for further production.  But what if - given suitable political and institutional circumstance - oil production here could become profitable at $25-$30 per barrel? 

Even failed New Year's resolutions serve a useful purpose.

It's simple actions like this that still give me hope for the world!

Graphs provide a closer look at the current market for employment.

With the disintegration of the old world order, it's anyone's guess what comes next.

"Six more months. This regime has six months left."

A visual for global inflation in 2025. Also, a visual for the healthiest places to live in the U.S.

Even though the rewards of globalization didn't shrink, 80 percent of Americans ended up with a smaller slice of the economic pie.

What's going on in the economy? Kyla Scanlon sits down with Mary Daly and Tom Barkin.

Where is the digital workforce in the U.S. and how is it evolving?

As expected, firms downstream of metals manufacturing are having a more difficult time.

Janet Yellen spoke recently about the problems of fiscal dominance.

The U.S. drinks a lot of beer but China drinks even more.

The "No Hire" economy has been especially difficult for both low income and early career workers.

The threat of a federal indictment finally convinced Jerome Powell to explain, what's really at stake for the Federal Reserve. And, Good on you, Alex Tabarrok, for saying what needed to be said. But as for Tyler, I would suggest he recover his spine by letting people know publicly that he cares about much more than the price of gold! The fact that Powell is dug in (and rightly so), "makes a mess of things". Ah well!

Despite the possibility of revolution, there are no obvious alternatives for Iran.

Apartments have become more affordable recently in Sun Belt markets. But might that process continue?

A joint statement in support of Federal Reserve independence. Also, international support.

A thought experiment for solar panels on land that is currently being used for biofuels.

In real time, witnessing a man of integrity and courage.

Why are people collectively pessimistic, and why does it matter for the state of the world?

Markets are still quiet after the threat to the Fed's independence, but that's no reason to breathe easy.

There's been plenty of pushback in support of Jerome Powell. And it could be working.

A visual which charts price changes in the last 25 years.

Participatory budgets as a way to help reduce local corruption.

More doctors are moving to a cash based system for healthcare.

The next Fed Chair will have to prove that he is independent, even though that won't go over well with the President.

An even more extreme immigrant ban has now been adopted.

It's hard to believe that just 4% of the economy is currently responsible for 92% of growth.

Those coveted minerals aren't rare, "just hell to process".

Claudia Sahm and Paul Krugman take another look at current Federal Reserve circumstance.

How has the U.S. Dollar fared recently against other major currencies?

The U.S. still has exorbitant privilege, but it's far from perfect.

Which homes remain affordable to median-income households?

There's a mechanic shortage. Or, is there?

Much has changed in terms of wealth since 2010.

The EU has yet to adapt to a world where - once again - might makes right.

Some commodities are no longer getting cheaper as time goes on.

The forcible removal of 8 to 10 million immigrant workers is no small thing, and doing so also means negative macroeconomic impacts. "Mass deportation does not elevate American workers."

Those risks for higher inflation are still playing out.

Greenland simply isn't worth what people imagine it to be worth.

For obvious reasons, this killing was a "murder too far". "They've taken the best of us!"

Where are the green shoots in manufacturing?

The dollar isn't doing well right now. And the sell-off is accelerating.

Brutal? Yes. Unprecedented? No. This song is quite appropriate for Zachary Karabell's reasoning: "I'm starting with the Man in the Mirror". What has happened in Minnesota is horrifying, yet it is also encouraging.

It could be said that water in the U.S. is "too clean". How is that even possible? It turns out that exorbitant costs associated with high expectations for water quality, are now part of what stands in the way of housing access.

Are manufactured  goods more likely to decline in price over time (good deflation) than commodities? It's complicated.

A visual for countries where U.S. debt is held.

What is the current status of tariff effects on U.S. prices? It helps to remember that lower income levels are more negatively affected, since more of their income goes to tariff impacted imports.

Kevin  Warsh could be a hawk in dove's clothing. But who really knows for sure? Also: The Dollar rose and precious  metals fell. Yet how much of this is even related to Warsh? Warsh has been a monetary policy hawk all along. I remember well, previous years when his hawkish stance contributed to monetary policy mishaps. So, what gives?

How much innovation might (finally) happen, now that construction industries are experiencing skills shortages?

Immigration agents at an elementary school: "They linger at dismissal time, when kids are walking home or being picked up. They follow parents driving other people's kids home..."

What a rough and exhausting month it has been. I hope so much for all of us, that the future will be better than what we are currently experiencing now.