Category Archives: General Interest

History Shows Why Prognosticators Should Be Discounted

Posted on February 21, 2011 by macromon

(click here if chart is not observable) 1927-1933 Chart of Pompous Prognosticators 1.  “We will not have any more crashes in our time.” – John Maynard Keynes in 1927 2.  “I cannot help but raise a dissenting voice to statements … Continue reading →

Posted in Charts, Economics, General Interest, Policy, Politics | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

“Fort Sumter” Opens Fire: Battle for the Public Sector Is On

Posted on February 11, 2011 by macromon

The battle for the public sector is on.  The Governor of Wisconsin just announced what amounts to be the abolishment of public sector unions in his state.   What an incredible contrast of the health of the private sector x/banks, reflected … Continue reading →

Posted in Bonds, General Interest, Muni Market, State and Local Government | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Nonlinear Thinking: 3D Printing To Revolutionize Manufacturing

Posted on February 11, 2011 by macromon

The Economist has a great piece out today on the coming revolution in manufacturing with 3D printing, which could have as a profound impact on the world as the factories once did. It works like this. First you call up … Continue reading →

Posted in BRICs, China, General Interest, Japan, Nonlinear Thinking, Technology | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Meryl Streep to Play Maggie Thatcher in “Iron Lady”

Posted on February 8, 2011 by macromon

One of the last leaders who had spine and could say no.  Her advice to Bush 41, who was wavering on the first Gulf War, “Don’t go wobbly on me now George,” was classic. She was referred to sometimes as … Continue reading →

Posted in General Interest, Politics | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Motorola’s Superbowl Smackdown of Apple

Posted on February 7, 2011 by macromon

Did the Motorola Xoom commercial look a little familiar?  We like competition and trying to limit it may be Apple’s Achilles’ heel. For those too old or too young to recall,  here is Apple’s 1984 Superbowl commercial introducing the Mac, … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, General Interest, Video | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Annualized Cost of Super Bowl Ad = $3.2 TN, German GDP

Posted on February 5, 2011 by macromon

Here’s a little fun breaking the law of large numbers on the eve of the Superbowl.   The cost of a 30 second ad during game time will average around $3 million.  You we do the math: That’s one big nut … Continue reading →

Posted in Charts, Economics, General Interest, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 5 Comments

America’s FIRE Economy

Posted on February 3, 2011 by macromon

We suspect you’ve seen a version of the following chart, which illustrates the secular decline in manufacturing and the rise of finance, insurance, and real estate (FIRE) in proportion to U.S. GDP.   We’ve added a few years to the data … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, General Interest, Real Estate | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

States of the Union: Califoreclosia, Creditcutt, & New Yoke

Posted on January 27, 2011 by macromon

The Economist rips President Obama for failing to address the country’s real problems.   This week’s cover, just out, is very creative and quite amusing.  The Economist renames every state in the Union with a debt related pejorative.   This must … Continue reading →

Posted in Fiscal Policy, General Interest, State and Local Government | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Why Los Angeles Doesn’t Have An NFL Football Team

Posted on January 23, 2011 by macromon

We grew up in Los Angeles watching our beloved Rams, who fled for St. Louis in 1994.  The city was also temporary home for the  Oakland Raiders from 1982-94 as the Rams played their home games in Anaheim for almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, General Interest | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Nonlinear Thinking: The Future of Ag?

Posted on January 18, 2011 by macromon

As food prices spike and the Malthusian noise grows louder let’s take a look at what the “victory garden” of the future may look like.   Indoor Ag and hydroponics are already huge in the the production of the number one … Continue reading →

Posted in Clean Tech, Commodities, Equities, General Interest, Nonlinear Thinking, Technology | Tagged , , | 6 Comments