Category Archives: Economics

Working with TechStars

Posted on May 9, 2010 by Tom

Over the last few years, TechStars has indirectly touched my life in many ways: I was CEO of IntenseDebate, a TechStars graduate; I have invested in a few TechStars companies; I have met some incredibly great entrepreneurs that I continue … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economics, Entrepreneurialism, Personal, Philosophy | 2 Comments

The Economist: Best Books of 2009

Posted on December 4, 2009 by Tom

The best economics and business books of the year, according to The Economist magazine: Too Big to Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial Systems–and Themselves. By Andrew Ross Sorkin. Viking; 624 … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economics | 1 Comment

Microsoft caught acting like Microsoft, 2009 version (aka Silverlight)

Posted on December 3, 2009 by Tom

TechCrunch has a nice post about the history and drivers of MS’s browser innovation (or lack thereof). Rather than playing nicely with the exciting development of HTML 5, MS instead is dragging its feet and trying to push people toward … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economics, Internet | Leave a comment

BS du Jour – Chrysler profitable in 2012

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Tom

From docs submitted in bankruptcy court, Chrysler claims it will be profitable in 2012. This, after losing $17B in 2008. No way. Chrysler, you have products that nobody wants, that are obsolete, and are not price-competitive. The auto industry in … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economics | Tagged | Leave a comment

EcoCycle needs to hire an economist

Posted on February 9, 2009 by Tom

Last week I made the effort to properly recycle an old VCR. In Boulder, this means that you dispose of your old electronics at EcoCycle. First Question: How many people are actually going to sort electronics out of their regular … Continue reading →

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More on the the US Auto Industry

Posted on November 17, 2008 by Tom

The US auto industry has 1.9 feet in the grave. This is so obvious that people don’t even waste much ink on it any more. Here are 3 succinct perspectives: – One of my favorite humor blogs, Long or Short … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economics | Leave a comment

"Liar's Poker" Begets "The End"

Posted on November 13, 2008 by Tom

From Michael Lewis, the guy you brought us Liar’s Poker…a great story about somebody on Wall Street who is actually making money these days…The End is a great 10-minute read.

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Here it comes…be very afraid!

Posted on November 9, 2008 by Tom

Most economists, with the exception of the ancient-school Paul Krugman, think that broad-scale government bail-outs in these times of troubles are big mistakes. The problem is, most Americans are not economists. Furthermore, they don’t know any economists, and don’t read … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics | Leave a comment

The Poor aren't Poor Because the Rich are Rich

Posted on November 4, 2008 by Tom

All this talk of wealth re-distribution is scaring the crap out of me. Unlike the old days, when people used to admire successful businesspeople, nowadays there are resentments and feelings of injustice toward “too much success”. Paul Samuelson, a Nobel-prize … Continue reading →

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Juan Enriquez on World Economic Malaise

Posted on October 31, 2008 by Tom

A great summary of the world’s malaise, and a compelling argument about why the government’s (and populace’s) knee jerk reactions are all wrong. Hat tip to Paul Kedrosky for the find. Juan Enriquez (2008) Pop!Tech Pop!Cast from PopTech on Vimeo.

Posted in Economics, Politics | Leave a comment