Mutualist journal club
Monday, January 30, 2006
IRS: e-file Using a Computer
I'm thinking about my income taxes right now, and came across this little gem on the IRS website (e-file Using a Computer):
"NOTE: IRS cannot compete with private enterprise and does not offer free e-file software or direct filing. "My interpretation: The federal government creates demand for a service (tax preparation), but it would be "unfair competition" against the capitalists if the government actually helped satisfy the demand for this service by commissioning the production of public-domain software.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Marginal Revolution: Self-deception in politics
Marginal Revolution: Self-deception in politics
Links to a article in the NYTimes about some recent MRI studies, *apparently* showing that political information is processed emotionally, not rationally. Also links to an academic paper by Tyler Cowen discussing the nature of political self-deception.
Are anarchists immune to this, or does it just take a different form? Anarchists are human, but play a different game than the hierarchists do--specifically, anarchists don't have to "pledge allegiance" to a leader, so the social/emotional dimension is removed from day-to-day political thought.
Links to a article in the NYTimes about some recent MRI studies, *apparently* showing that political information is processed emotionally, not rationally. Also links to an academic paper by Tyler Cowen discussing the nature of political self-deception.
Are anarchists immune to this, or does it just take a different form? Anarchists are human, but play a different game than the hierarchists do--specifically, anarchists don't have to "pledge allegiance" to a leader, so the social/emotional dimension is removed from day-to-day political thought.
Monday, January 23, 2006
The Problem with the GOP | Freedom Democrats
The Problem with the GOP | Freedom Democrats
An evaluation of how the GOP sold its soul by focusing on winning elections rather than "winning hearts and minds". Validates the anarchist attitude that a strong focus on electoral politics is suicidal.
An evaluation of how the GOP sold its soul by focusing on winning elections rather than "winning hearts and minds". Validates the anarchist attitude that a strong focus on electoral politics is suicidal.
Environmental Economics: What is the Coase Theorem, really?
Environmental Economics: What is the Coase Theorem, really?
Some nit-picking over an economic theory. Basically, the question is how the distribution of property rights affects the decisions made in a market setting (more pollution or less?)
Some nit-picking over an economic theory. Basically, the question is how the distribution of property rights affects the decisions made in a market setting (more pollution or less?)
American Cultural Trends | Freedom Democrats
American Cultural Trends | Freedom Democrats
A new method of clustering cultural groups within the US: finds that Americans are moving away from social attitudes (traditional conservatism and liberalism) and towards anti-social attitudes, embodied in an atomized combativeness. Evaluated from a left-libertarian perspective.
A new method of clustering cultural groups within the US: finds that Americans are moving away from social attitudes (traditional conservatism and liberalism) and towards anti-social attitudes, embodied in an atomized combativeness. Evaluated from a left-libertarian perspective.
Can pharmaceuticals be developed without patents?
Can pharmaceuticals be developed without patents?
Via Freedom Democrats.
Emprical study suggesting that patents reduce innovation.
Via Freedom Democrats.
Emprical study suggesting that patents reduce innovation.
Saturday, January 21, 2006
How to hide things in public places
Via Marginal Revolution. The title says it all. I think this is relevant to the concept of ownership/possession (if no-one else knows that something exists, no-one can take it from me). Also, the publisher, Loompanics, may be of interest as they have some books on anarchism, survivalism, and other such DIY stuff.
HOW TO HIDE THINGS IN PUBLIC PLACES: " Did you ever want to hide something from prying eyes, yet were afraid to do so in your home? Now you can secrete your valuables away from home, by following Dennis Fiery's eye-opening instructions in How to Hide Things in Public Places. The world around us is filled with cubbyholes and niches that can be safely employed... and this book identifies them. Among the topics covered are:"
HOW TO HIDE THINGS IN PUBLIC PLACES: " Did you ever want to hide something from prying eyes, yet were afraid to do so in your home? Now you can secrete your valuables away from home, by following Dennis Fiery's eye-opening instructions in How to Hide Things in Public Places. The world around us is filled with cubbyholes and niches that can be safely employed... and this book identifies them. Among the topics covered are:"
Friday, January 20, 2006
Gumption Rewarded With Even More Work | The Onion - America's Finest News Source
Gumption Rewarded With Even More Work | The Onion - America's Finest News Source
News, or comedy?
"DiCenzo received the title of Supervising Floor Manager and no raise in pay"
News, or comedy?
"DiCenzo received the title of Supervising Floor Manager and no raise in pay"
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Marginal Revolution: What is wrong with Bolivia?
Marginal Revolution: What is wrong with Bolivia?
Basically, a neo-liberal asks why neo-liberalism didn't work in Bolivia. Conclusion: neo-liberalism can't be imposed by a corrupt government. Go figure.
The ensuing discussion includes the topic of land-redistribution.
Basically, a neo-liberal asks why neo-liberalism didn't work in Bolivia. Conclusion: neo-liberalism can't be imposed by a corrupt government. Go figure.
The ensuing discussion includes the topic of land-redistribution.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
The Hartford Courant :Devices In Cars Secretly Snoop
The Hartford Courant:Devices In Cars Secretly Snoop
Many new cars have "black-boxes" that record the behavior of the vehicle, and now this info being used against a driver by his employer. Invasion of privacy? Surveillance society?
Many new cars have "black-boxes" that record the behavior of the vehicle, and now this info being used against a driver by his employer. Invasion of privacy? Surveillance society?
Marginal Revolution: Should Verizon be allowed to charge Internet content providers?
Marginal Revolution: Should Verizon be allowed to charge Internet content providers?
An economic discussion on the implication of attempts by ISP providers to charge content providers for high-speed bandwidth use. Cowen comes out against this proposal, concerned that it will mean that "freedom of the press belongs to those who can buy one" (not Cowen's quote).
Cowen asks: "will my free market readers defend Verizon's right to charge Google bandwidth fees?"
An economic discussion on the implication of attempts by ISP providers to charge content providers for high-speed bandwidth use. Cowen comes out against this proposal, concerned that it will mean that "freedom of the press belongs to those who can buy one" (not Cowen's quote).
Cowen asks: "will my free market readers defend Verizon's right to charge Google bandwidth fees?"
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Audio Anarchy
I just heard an interesting Anarchist Critique of Democracy via Audio Anarchy radio. Audio Anarchy was established as a project for transcribing anarchist books into audio format, and they recently expanded into the production of a pod-cast radio series.
This is a project of "moxie@thoughtcrime.org", who is also a (the?) founder of the Distributed Library Project, among other projects.
This is a project of "moxie@thoughtcrime.org", who is also a (the?) founder of the Distributed Library Project, among other projects.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
"On the Origin of Money" by Carl Menger
Via: Marginal Revolution: Carl Menger on-line
"On the Origin of Money" by Carl Menger is is an interesting meditation on the nature of commodity currency, circa 1892.
I assume that it is considered a classic of marginalist thought, based on the fact that Tyler Cowen thought it was worth mentioning, and Mises.org thought it was worth publishing. My guess is that economists like it because it introduces the idea of "saleability". Egalitarians may be interested in its description of the situation arising from "compulsory sales".
It can be read as a "just so" story explaining how free markets would give rise to modern economic institutions, or it can be read a bit of advice for anyone seeking to create an alternative money system.
"On the Origin of Money" by Carl Menger is is an interesting meditation on the nature of commodity currency, circa 1892.
I assume that it is considered a classic of marginalist thought, based on the fact that Tyler Cowen thought it was worth mentioning, and Mises.org thought it was worth publishing. My guess is that economists like it because it introduces the idea of "saleability". Egalitarians may be interested in its description of the situation arising from "compulsory sales".
It can be read as a "just so" story explaining how free markets would give rise to modern economic institutions, or it can be read a bit of advice for anyone seeking to create an alternative money system.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Hostility Greets Katrina Recovery Plan
The Powers-That-Be have some pretty specific plans for the New New Orleans.
Hostility Greets Katrina Recovery Plan
Hostility Greets Katrina Recovery Plan
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Monthly Review December 2005 Charles McCollester | Pittsburgh—The Glory and the Gutting
Monthly Review December 2005 Charles McCollester | Pittsburgh—The Glory and the Gutting
If you aren't aware of what's going on in Pittsburgh, PA, give this article a read. The author apparently thinks that the rise and fall of the Steel City is meaningful to the rest of the country. I think he does a good job of summarizing the current situation in the city, even if I don't agree with his idealization of command economics and Pittsburgh blue-collar character .
If you aren't aware of what's going on in Pittsburgh, PA, give this article a read. The author apparently thinks that the rise and fall of the Steel City is meaningful to the rest of the country. I think he does a good job of summarizing the current situation in the city, even if I don't agree with his idealization of command economics and Pittsburgh blue-collar character .
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Marginal Revolution: Private Education in India
Marginal Revolution: Private Education in India
Alex Tabarrok points out that "Sebastian Mallaby has a good column on the explosion in private schooling in India and the implications for theories of development:"
Other references and comments are included at MR.
Alex Tabarrok points out that "Sebastian Mallaby has a good column on the explosion in private schooling in India and the implications for theories of development:"
Other references and comments are included at MR.
Environmental Economics: Snarky Commentary on Climate Federalism
Some comments from the Environmental Economist about the political/legal fight over CO2 emissions in several states...
Environmental Economics: Snarky Commentary on Climate Federalism:
This one quote from the Wash Post article really stood out, as a perfect example of the "cog-maker" mentality of the corporate elite, in which they use the centralized state to create conformity among their customer base
"Gloria Bergquist, vice president of public affairs for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which leads the lawsuit, said the rules are too burdensome and costly. 'There would be marketplace chaos if each state were deciding which products should be sold within its borders,' Bergquist said. The suit was filed in federal court in California in December 2004."
Environmental Economics: Snarky Commentary on Climate Federalism:
This one quote from the Wash Post article really stood out, as a perfect example of the "cog-maker" mentality of the corporate elite, in which they use the centralized state to create conformity among their customer base
"Gloria Bergquist, vice president of public affairs for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which leads the lawsuit, said the rules are too burdensome and costly. 'There would be marketplace chaos if each state were deciding which products should be sold within its borders,' Bergquist said. The suit was filed in federal court in California in December 2004."
Environmental Economics: New NC port means thousands of jobs and a spoiled vacation day
Env Econ has a little light commentary about the downside of this new, massive, state-funded port system. But read the report that EE links to...it's pure boosterism.
Environmental Economics: New NC port means thousands of jobs and a spoiled vacation day
As expected, neighboring states (VA and SC) claim that they have to respond by upgrading their own ports.
Industry at any cost; trade at any cost.
Environmental Economics: New NC port means thousands of jobs and a spoiled vacation day
As expected, neighboring states (VA and SC) claim that they have to respond by upgrading their own ports.
Industry at any cost; trade at any cost.
Archives
November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 May 2006 July 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 October 2007 November 2007 January 2008 September 2008 October 2008 December 2008 April 2009 June 2009 August 2009 February 2010 March 2010 June 2010 July 2010 August 2010 September 2010 October 2010 November 2010 February 2011 March 2011 February 2013 March 2013 December 2013
