Econ Blog

your daily dose of economic commentary

Diffusion – Geographic, Indicator

881. Diffusion – Geographic, Indicator

The post discusses alternative measures of economic weakness, focusing on geographic employment growth and the Chicago Fed National Activity Index's recent trends.

Trump seeks to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook -- but a legal fight looms

882. Trump seeks to fire Fed governor Lisa Cook -- but a legal fight looms

The post discusses President Trump's intention to dismiss Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook amid allegations of false statements regarding mortgage applications.

Hamburgers for Me, But Not for Thee (Trump Hamburger Edition)

883. Hamburgers for Me, But Not for Thee (Trump Hamburger Edition)

The post discusses the rising prices of hamburgers and related food items due to tariffs and supply chain issues, linking these trends to political decisions.

My Final EconLog Post

884. My Final EconLog Post

Scott Sumner reflects on his blogging journey and emphasizes the importance of integrity in public policy amidst America's political polarization.

Trump again calls for FCC to revoke ABC and NBC licenses

885. Trump again calls for FCC to revoke ABC and NBC licenses

An argument that Trump demands the FCC revoke the licenses of ABC and NBC, highlighting his ongoing conflict with media outlets during cultural disputes.

Farewell to EconLog

886. Farewell to EconLog

David Henderson reflects on his 17 years of blogging at EconLog, sharing highlights and discussing his transition to a new platform for greater creative control.

ICE First Look at July Mortgage Performance: "Delinquencies Ease in July"

887. ICE First Look at July Mortgage Performance: "Delinquencies Ease in July"

The blog post discusses July's mortgage performance, highlighting improved delinquency rates and foreclosure activity, indicating a resilient housing market despite economic concerns.

Dr Pepper will unwind its merger with Keurig after buying Peet's for $18 billion

888. Dr Pepper will unwind its merger with Keurig after buying Peet's for $18 billion

The post discusses Dr Pepper's decision to unwind its merger with Keurig after acquiring Peet's for $18 billion, emphasizing the benefits of separate operations.

India, Greece, Brazil: How High Government Pay Wastes Talent and Drains Productivity

889. India, Greece, Brazil: How High Government Pay Wastes Talent and Drains Productivity

High government salaries in poorer countries lead to talent misallocation, reduced productivity, and increased unemployment, as educated individuals pursue public sector jobs over private sector opportunities.

We Are All Lisa Cook

890. We Are All Lisa Cook

Paul Krugman discusses Donald Trump's threats against Lisa Cook, highlighting the political intimidation tactics used by the administration and their potential economic implications.

Why a Knitting Bean Might Help You Focus This Fall

891. Why a Knitting Bean Might Help You Focus This Fall

Jadrian Wooten discusses how the Focus Friend app helps improve focus by using a commitment device that engages users through a cute knitting bean character.

Democrats can win the redistricting war

892. Democrats can win the redistricting war

Nate Silver discusses Democrats' strategies to counter Republican redistricting efforts, highlighting public support for Gavin Newsom's initiative to regain control over California's redistricting process.

New Home Sales at 652,000 Annual Rate in July

893. New Home Sales at 652,000 Annual Rate in July

Bill McBride discusses July's new home sales data, noting a slight decline from June and a comparison to previous years, along with supply metrics.

Housing August 25th Weekly Update: Inventory Up 0.1% Week-over-week; Down 9.4% from 2019 Levels

894. Housing August 25th Weekly Update: Inventory Up 0.1% Week-over-week; Down 9.4% from 2019 Levels

Active single-family housing inventory increased slightly week-over-week but remains significantly lower than 2019 levels, indicating a notable trend in market dynamics.

895. Sraffa On The Use Of The Notion Of Surplus Value

Robert Vienneau discusses Sraffa's appreciation of Marx's concepts, particularly surplus value, and critiques neo-Ricardian interpretations of exploitation in capitalism.

A few cultural thoughts

896. A few cultural thoughts

Noah Smith shares his cultural observations from events in NYC, expressing his dislike for TikTok and discussing modern content consumption habits.

South Korean President Lee to meet with Trump in Washington on Monday

897. South Korean President Lee to meet with Trump in Washington on Monday

Anthony Kuhn discusses the upcoming summit between the U.S. and South Korean presidents, focusing on their alliance and a recent trade deal.

If You Can’t Get Somebody on Lack of Qualifications, Then Make Something Up: Economics Edition

898. If You Can’t Get Somebody on Lack of Qualifications, Then Make Something Up: Economics Edition

Menzie Chinn critiques the unequal treatment of Dr. Lisa Cook's qualifications for the Fed compared to other nominees, highlighting biases in political appointments.

My Weekly Reading and Viewing for August 24, 2025

899. My Weekly Reading and Viewing for August 24, 2025

David Henderson discusses various articles on economic data quality, collectivism, police protests, remittance regulations, and local government issues affecting businesses.

What should I ask John Amaechi?

900. What should I ask John Amaechi?

Tyler Cowen discusses potential questions for John Amaechi, highlighting his background as a psychologist and former NBA player, and his upcoming book on leadership skills.