541. Measuring Benefits of High-Skilled Immigration
An argument that high-skilled immigration, particularly through H-1B visas, boosts economic growth, job creation, and wages for native workers across various skill levels.
542. AIA: "Softness persists at architecture firms" in August
Bill McBride discusses the ongoing softness in architecture firms' billings and inquiries, indicating a decline in new design contracts and caution among clients.
543. ICE First Look at August Mortgage Performance: "Delinquencies Up on Calendar Effect; Foreclosure Activity Slowly Trending Higher"
Bill McBride discusses the rise in mortgage delinquencies and foreclosure activity in August, attributing much of it to a calendar anomaly affecting payment processing.
544. In (Sort of) Defense of (Something Like) Property Taxes
An argument that property taxes are misunderstood, necessary for local services, and could be reformed to better reflect service costs and fairness.
545. AI and the FDA
An argument that AI could revolutionize drug discovery and repurposing, but the FDA's current regulatory framework may hinder these advancements and lead to competitive pressures from other countries.
546. Is the Jimmy Kimmel Saga a Sign that the Tide is Turning?
Paul Krugman discusses Trump's authoritarian tendencies, contrasting his unpopularity with the popularity of autocrats like Putin and Orban, highlighting the role of economic performance.
547. New Home Sales increased to 800,000 Annual Rate in August
Bill McBride discusses the increase in new home sales to an annual rate of 800,000 in August, highlighting revisions and supply metrics.
548. MBA: Mortgage Applications Increase in Latest Weekly Survey
Bill McBride discusses the recent increase in mortgage applications, highlighting trends in refinancing and purchase activity based on the MBA's latest survey data.
549. Michael Clemens on H1-B visas
Tyler Cowen discusses how H-1B visa holders significantly contribute to US productivity growth and create job opportunities for native workers across various sectors.
550. Miran on r*
An argument that changes in tariff revenue and tax policy significantly influence national saving and the neutral interest rate, impacting economic conditions and monetary policy.
551. Guest Contribution: “FAIT, Shortfalls, and the Federal Reserve’s Strategy Review”
An argument that analyzes the Federal Reserve's monetary policy strategies, particularly the transition from FAIT to FIT, and their implications for inflation and employment.
552. Fed Chair Powell: "No Risk-Free Path"
Bill McBride discusses Fed Chair Powell's insights on the current economic outlook, highlighting challenges in the labor market and inflation risks.
553. Tuesday's Assorted Links
The post highlights various stories related to economic principles, education, technology, and international perspectives on political and economic reform.
554. The Liberal 19th Century
Pierre Lemieux discusses the 19th century as a pivotal era for liberalism, highlighting both its achievements and the encroaching state intervention that followed.
555. The surprisingly lucrative business of making a list of 500 stocks
An argument that the S&P 500's business model generates significant revenue through its stock listing and related services.
556. The Return of the MR Podcast: In Praise of Commercial Culture
The discussion centers on the interplay between art, commercial culture, and democratic politics, particularly how funding influences artistic expression and quality over time.
557. Americans are crazy for shrimp. Much of it came from India — until now
Diaa Hadid discusses the decline of India's shrimp exports to the U.S. due to President Trump's tariffs, impacting the industry significantly.
558. Why every country needs to master the Electric Tech Stack
Noah Smith argues that mastering the Electric Tech Stack is essential for countries to enhance military capabilities and economic competitiveness in the modern era.
559. Did Amazon trick people into paying for Prime? Federal case goes to trial
An argument that Amazon misled consumers into subscribing to Prime memberships with difficult cancellation processes, while the company defends its practices as industry standard.
560. The Social Benefits of Iconoclasts
The discussion highlights the importance of iconoclasts in breaking preference falsification, encouraging open expression, and creating positive externalities in social settings like classrooms.