What We Read Today 31 August 2013

Econintersect: Click Read more >> below graphic to see today’s list.

The top of today’s reading list reports the latest on bitcoins…….. and the last article discusses the important and sometimes overlooked paramter of dividend payout ratio.

• Regulators, Bitcoin group discuss digital currency (Emily Stephenson and Brett Wolf, Reuters)

“U.S. regulators and law enforcement agencies met on Monday with an advocacy group for Bitcoin, a digital currency that has been under fire for its purported role in facilitating anonymous money transfers.”

• Davidson prof uses mime to explain complex math, science concepts to students – and adults (Reid Creager, Raleigh News & Observer) “Four in ten Americans hate math.” Presumably that many (and possibly more) don’t understand mathematical logic, a fundamental tool in meaningful thinking. When we criticize those who follow belief and ignore facts in making decisions, this shortcoming may be one of the dominant factors, if not predominant. Is a root of our dysfunctional discourse ignorance more than simple polar ideology?

• The Geography of Success (James Hamilton, Econbrowser) James Hamilton has contributed to Global Economic Intersection. He has one of the best U.S. oil production graphs we have seen.

• Overmilitarization: Why Law Enforcement Needs to Scale Down Its Use of Military Hardware and Tactics (Evan Bernick, The Heritage Foundation) Hat tip to Roger Erickson.

“Few reasonable people doubt the occasional need for SWAT teams, but few would consider it appropriate to send helicopters after baby deer.”

• In post-crisis penalties, Morgan Stanley stands alone (Stephen Gandel, Fortune, CNN Money)

“Despite a slew of private suits, the government apparently can’t find anything wrong with Morgan Stanley.”

• To make journalism harder, slower, less secure (Jay Rosen, Press Think, 26 August 2013) Hat tip to Russell Huntley.

• College Costs Surge 500% in U.S. Since 1985: Chart of the Day (Michelle Jamrisko and Ilan Kolet, Bloomberg, 26 August 2013)  See also today’s GEI Analysis by GEI publisher Steven Hansen.
  

• Syria in the Crosshairs (Franklin J. Spinney, Counter Punch) Hat tip to Roger Erickson.

• One of the most important questions we face: how long will the pause in global warming continue? (Fabius Maximus) Fabius Maximus has contributed to Global Economic Intersection.

• Dividend Payout Ratio (Computerized Investing, American Association of Individual Investors) This article discusses common sense which is sometimes overlooked. Disclosure: GEI Managing Editor is a Life Member of AAII.