What We Read Today 16 November 2014

Econintersect: Every day our editors collect the most interesting things they find from around the internet and present a summary “reading list” which will include very brief summaries (and sometimes longer ones) of why each item has gotten our attention. Suggestions from readers for “reading list” items are gratefully reviewed, although sometimes space limits the number included.

• The economist who beat Thomas Piketty (Sumit Mishra, live mint) Mariana Mazzucato from the University of Sussex beat Piketty to win the inaugural New Statesman SPERI (Science Policy Research Unit) prize in political economy. Several other nominees were on the final list, as well.

Mazzucato has challenged mainstream economic thought on entrepreneurship and innovation, showing that the credit for many important innovations in society goes as much to the public sector as to private firms. When it comes to taking really big risks that can transform society, the comparative advantage lies with state-backed entities rather than private entrepreneurs backed by venture capitalists. (Econintersect: Horrors! We can hear what sounds like a lynching party forming.)

• Does The Wild Truth Tell the True Story of Chris McCandless? (Alex Heard, Outside Magazine) Alexander Supertramp’s little sister Carine McCandless reveals for the first time the family history that she required Jon Krakauer keep out of the book and Sean Penn not to mention in the movie about her brother’s ill-fated life, “Into the Wild“. This will help the many millions who have personalized the hard-to-understand life of Chris McCandless get some closure with what drove that extraordinary but flawed young man.

• ObamaCare mandate challenge rejected (Molly K. Hopper, The Hill) Suit had sought to have all employer provided contraceptive coverage banned under Obamacare (Patinet Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010).

• Justice in the World (Forwarded by email from Roger Erickson without attribution)

• Articles about unusual events, conflicts and disease around the world

Ebola

The ignorance epidemic (The Economist)

Chinese team lands in Liberia to fight Ebola (Al Jazeera)

Ebola outbreak: Sierra Leone surgeon in US for treatment (BBC News)

Nigeria

Nigeria’s Chibok falls to Boko Haram Impoverished town in Borno state synonymous with mass abduction of schoolgirls seized by armed group in new attack. (Al Jazeera)

Turkey

Muslims found Americas before Columbus says Turkey’s Erdogan (BBC News) In “1178”.

Ankara and Washington agree to train 2,000 Syrian rebels in Turkey – report (RT)

Syria

ISIS beheading, stoning and crucifying Syrian residents, UN report says (Fox News)

Islamic State faces war of attrition in Syria’s Kobane (AFP, Yahoo! News)

Iraq

Battle turning against IS, says US Gen Martin Dempsey (BBC News)

Iraq Officials: Bombs Kill 5 Across Baghdad (abc News)

Ukraine

Harper vows he won’t drop Ukraine whether it takes five months or 50 years (Canadian Business)

Russia

Vladimir Putin’s Natural Gas Deal Weakens Russia’s Hand in Ukraine (TheStreet.com)

Georgians protest against Russia-Abkhazia agreement (BBC News)

There are 14 articles discussed today ‘behind the wall’.

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