In a coronavirus environment where people are prevented from interacting and working the ability to finance debts diminishes rapidly.  How can we finance this gap?  Negative interest rates on debt.   A transfer from asset holders to debt holders.   Governments will also need to look to support employment income during quarantine periods as companies, especially smaller service based companies on small operating margins are most at risk.  We need fiscal and monetary measures as well as health and medical to address this developing event.

Michael Mauboussin, Interview No. 4 (Farnam Street)

“But I can tell you that our minds are horrible at understanding luck. So any mental model has to overcome our natural tendency to think causally—that is, that good outcomes are the result of good skill and bad outcomes reflect bad skill. “

I have just been reading about the plagiarism issue with Margaret Wente at the Globe and Mail.  The similarities between the various pieces do look genetically similar.  No more money for old rope!

Margaret Wente: ‘a zero for plagiarism’?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/editor-in-chief-john-stackhouses-memo-to-globe-and-mail-staff-on-margaret-wente-allegations/article4565665/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/globe-takes-action-on-allegations-against-columnist-margaret-wente/article4565683/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/community/inside-the-globe/public-editor-what-we-need-to-do-better/article4566275/

In a Mass Knife Fight to the Death Between Every American President, Who Would Win and Why?

I hope to resume blogging shortly once I have recovered from my 2 + weeks in the Perigord Noire region of France.   I must admit that the luxury of “cheap” quality cheese and wine and the morning croissants by the lavender abuzz with bees, humming birds and butterflies will be hard to forget.  Continue reading →

Is Europe On The Verge Of Another Great Depression – Or A Great Inflation?

French exposure in pictures

So you still think these market ups and downs are normal ? UK recovery slowest in 100 years despite 0.5pc growth

Britain is now officially stuck on a slower recovery path than after the Great Depression of the 1930s despite better growth in the three months to September than expected

To follow….

Fear gauge enters the red zone

Chinese exporters starting to do it tough

Grantham: ‘No Market for Young Men’