Author Archives: Arnold Kling

Recoveries and unemployment

Posted on November 14, 2020 by Arnold Kling

Robert E. Hall and Maryanna Kudlyak write, We have developed a parsimonious statistical model of the behavior of observed unemployment. It describes: (1) occasional sharp upward movements in unemployment in times of economic crisis, and (2) an inexorable downward glide … Continue reading →

Posted in PSST and Macro, Tyler Cowen is my Favorite Blogger | 14 Comments

People who need closure

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Arnold Kling

Psychologist Andrew Hartz writes, Splitting is a defense mechanism by which people unconsciously frame ideas, individuals or groups of people in all-or-nothing terms—for example, all good or all bad. The term was popularized in its current usage by the psychoanalyst … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | 19 Comments

Remote capital

Posted on November 12, 2020 by Arnold Kling

Paula Jacobs reports, virtual Israeli folk dancing has proved a valuable solution during COVID-19, allowing a popular pastime to continue safely, while creating a global dance community. So even when in-person sessions resume, it’s likely that virtual dancing is also … Continue reading →

Posted in virus crisis | 24 Comments

Increased longevity for victims of violence

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Arnold Kling

Roger Dobson writes, a team from Massachusetts University and Harvard Medical School found that technological developments had helped to significantly depress today’s murder rates, converting homicides into aggravated assaults. Pointer from Tyler Cowen. Some thoughts. 1. I give the study … Continue reading →

Posted in statistical methods, Tyler Cowen is my Favorite Blogger | 15 Comments

Glenn Greenwald’s outrage

Posted on November 10, 2020 by Arnold Kling

I only listened to about the first 30 minutes of this Joe Rogan podcast. Glenn Greenwald claims that 1. Edward Snowden is a hero. The U.S. security apparatus engaged in illegal and unconstitutional spying. It goes all out to protect … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 32 Comments

Urban politics

Posted on November 9, 2020 by Arnold Kling

Why are cities so uniformly far to the left politically? Some hypotheses: 1. They attract the educated professionals who are on the left. But suburbs also attract educated professionals, and they are not so uniformly left. 2. They create many … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 56 Comments

Sites worth following

Posted on November 8, 2020 by Arnold Kling

These are publications that often include articles that I like. But I try not to go overboard linking to pieces that I agree with, so I tend to read them a lot more than I write about them. 1. Quillette. … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | 16 Comments

Existential prejudice

Posted on November 7, 2020 by Arnold Kling

Razib Khan writes, unlike racialism, ethical religion has within it an element of utopianism, of striving for improvement. The same can be said of political religions, such as Marxism. The ultimate aim of these movements is to expand the circle … Continue reading →

Posted in culture | 44 Comments

The Stanford HEE vote

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Arnold Kling

Alvin Rabushka writes First, there is barely a twinge of political diversity at Stanford. There was one Trump vote for every 27 Biden votes. Blink and you might miss the Trump votes. Second, Stanford faculty and students are much further … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics | 21 Comments

Banana Republic Watch

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Arnold Kling

The Claremont Institute’s American Mind writes, But the 2020 election is not over. The fight has just begun. This is the moment that decides everything. Everything is now at stake. Republicans must rise to the occasion. This means rallies and … Continue reading →

Posted in Libertarian Thought | 48 Comments