You occasionally see arguments that, while CEO's are spectacularly rich, those riches are drop in the ocean compared to the quantum that would be required to give a real pay rise to workers. Of course the main reply here is that CEO's are emblematic of a whole bunch of people who are overpaid relative to … Continue reading Jeff Beezos absolutely could afford to pay his employees much better

In response to Reddit discussion of this video I thought a Q&A was in order. Q: Is it ethically permissable to drive through protestors who are blocking the road? A: No Q: What if it is the only way in to work? A: Still no Q: What if the only way to avoid it would … Continue reading Clearing up the ethics of running over protestors who are blocking up the road

I keep reading mind boggling facts about Epstein’s demise. I thought that, as a point of sanity, it might be helpful to gather them all into one place in condensed form so they wouldn’t keep wandering through my head like a macabre parade. I’d strongly recommend other people interested in the case try compiling similar … Continue reading Epstein death: Sanity notes

A ship sinks, and a few dozen survivors manage to make it to shore on a deserted island. One of them, by the name of Jones, is a mechanic, and by pure happenstance is carrying his tools when he gets on the life raft. The Island is relatively resource rich, although conditions are difficult, and … Continue reading JONES’ ISLAND AND PROPERTY RIGHTS

Bernie Sanders has gone on Joe Rogan, and doubtless we will see a torrent of false outrage along the lines of: “Bernie Sanders has appeared on a channel that also interviews far right figures!” But I can’t help but wonder, where is the outrage when presidential candidates go on networks such as CNN, MSNBC and … Continue reading The Folly of Condemning Bernie for Going on Joe Rogan’s Podcast

  I see a lot of critiques and defences of “identity politics”. No doubt we will be seeing even more as the US Democratic Primary winds up. It's the sort of debate which is all about definitions. If identity politics is understood as “politics concerned with the struggles of oppressed minorities”, then the debate is … Continue reading A few theses about “identity politics” and its false oppositions

A substantial literature suggests that minimum wage increases have no negative effect on employment. The most popular explanation for this in economics is the theory that employers have monopsony power over their workers for a variety of reasons ranging from firm concentration to the difficulty and uncertainty navigating the job market and getting another job.  I have … Continue reading Explaining the non-effect of the minimum wage on employment: Could bosses screwing even themselves over by setting wages “irrationally” low be part of the explanation?