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Ramblings on Information Efficiency (Why We Need a “Google” For Everything)

Posted by Sean | September 29, 2008 .

Did the U.S. economy really move from manufacturing to services?
I think the U.S. economy forked into services and information.
We think of economies in terms of agricultural, manufacturing, service, information, etc… but they have been with us since the beginning. We classify an economy by what is surging and what is lagging. None of the “old” [...]

1 Comment

I Love Contrarian Comments, Two Recent Readers Share Theirs

Posted by Sean | September 28, 2008 .

Everyone likes when people agree with them, but too much agreement is unhealthy.
“If two people agree on everything, one of them is superfluous”
- source?
“If two men agree on everything, you can be sure one of them is doing the thinking.”
- Lyndon Johnson
Anyway, here are two recent comments that 100% blindsided me with their logic.
+ + [...]

2 Comments

The Warren Buffett Paradox, Part 1 (The Bailout)

Posted by Sean | September 28, 2008 .

“Warren Buffett does XYZ — so take that! — end of story.”
People use Buffett not to win debates, but to avoid the critical thinking of debates. This creates latent problems, however, when he goes against people’s pet positions.
Solutions to this dissonance are awkward. When Buffett appears to support someone’s position (even if he does not) [...]

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Preview: The “Save Money on Heating Costs” Worksheet

Posted by Sean | September 27, 2008 .

Okay, enough with feeling frustrated about the state of the world today.
I want to change it. In a big way. Here’s one idea:
A spreadsheet worksheet to save real money on home heating costs.
(While we’re at it, we can conserve some energy.)

The idea here is to make the best heating tips as actionable as possible.
I organized [...]

2 Comments

Buy when there is blood in the streets…

Posted by Sean | September 25, 2008 .

I see young(er) people who think the stock market is a video game. Don’t worry if you crash your sports car at 200 MPH, or get shot up by all manner of firearms. Just hit the reset button and try to run up the score again. Yet I have to reflect on the true nature [...]

2 Comments

I Apologize

Posted by Sean | September 24, 2008 .

I have a hard time ignoring economics.
It is challenging.
It is fascinating.
Sometimes, it is infuriating.
It is never, ever boring (to me.)
But is it practical? I think it is, and it is not. (From what I gather, economists love to give those kinds of answers.) Consider an analogy to fuel economy. In the short run, you [...]

2 Comments

John Bogle, “If You’re Not Worried Today, You’re Really Not Paying Much Attention”

Posted by Sean | September 22, 2008 .

Tess Vigland interviewed indexing guru John Bogle in Saturday’s Marketplace Money.
selected quotes:
What did you do with your money this week?
“Nothing.”
People are really wondering about the safety of their money wherever they put it, what do you say to them?
“First of all, if you’re not worried today, you are really not paying much attention. This is [...]

4 Comments

Warren Buffett: Who To Blame For Bad Loans?

Posted by Sean | September 22, 2008 .

Warren Buffett quote from the early seventies…
The (bank) President is making a mistake in blaming the borrower. Every bank gets offered lots of bad loans, and it is the banker’s fault if he accepts them.
Buffett: The Making of an American Capitalist
by Roger Lowenstein
page 143

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re: What Caused The Financial Crisis Of 2008?

Posted by Sean | September 22, 2008 .

I’ve been posting daily, but sometimes in the form of comments on other sites.
Pinyo at Moolanomy asks, “What Caused The Financial Crisis Of 2008?“
His response: GREED. I agree and I disagree.
My response,
“What I don’t get.. did humans suddenly become more greedy the last few years? People say there is greed on Wall Street. Yet there [...]

2 Comments

5 Things I’m Doing Today To Improve Tomorrow (Financial Meltdown Edition)

Posted by Sean | September 18, 2008 .

Crazy times bring crazy advice. Do something! Do nothing! Throw your hands in the air! Stick your head in the sand! Is there any middle ground? I’m not quite ready to give up on civilization. Yet I’m unimpressed by the uncritical thinking from the "don’t worry, be happy" crowd. Ehhh… here’s what I’m doing in [...]

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