People who make sense

Anyone who has been following this blog (hi mom!) is aware that I am a Taleb fan. I just recently discovered that another sane person exists and that is Peter Schiff. Actually he’s been rather famous for some time now, but I just got around to reading what he has to say. Just watch this and read this editorial that he wrote. It is nothing less that plain old common sense – yes, pretty much unique among economists.

Another person, or should I say book, that makes sense is Eric Beinhocker. I finished The Origin of Wealth some weeks ago and it was an eye opener. No, this is not one of those books that “saw it coming”, it is a very general economics book about how traditional theory is wrong and what could be done about it. Very respectful in tone and extremely well-researched, this is worth reading by serious people who think Taleb is a media clown. (Beinhocker never quotes Taleb and vice versa, but their ideas have a lot in common) The first half of the book, where Beinhocker first summarises and then demolishes established economic theory is where he is strongest.  Next he goes on to propose something called “complexity economics” and kind of makes his point, but openly admits that it’s not really a complete theory.

Another book I got these days is Warren Buffet’s biography but I won’t be finishing that brick soon. So far, the first couple of chapters are interesting, but the whole thing seems like Buffet worship for its own sake.

As mentioned before, we live in interesting times now and I’m running out of ideas how to spend all the time I have. If I still have any readers, give me some reading recommendations!

P.S. Taleb strikes again. I like this guy.

Tags: crisis