Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Review by David Zetland: When a Crocodile Eats the Sun”

The same as David, I have heard good things about this book. I am also old enough to remember some of the news of the turmoil in Zimbabwe. Book Review: When a Crocodile Eats the Sun, The one-handed economist, David Zetland A white woman in South Africa suggested that I read this 2006 book by Peter Godwin, […]

In-Box Topics which May Be of Interest

Evey day, I get an array of emails in my In-Box offering up articles or what they think can be interesting reads. I would definitely read Economist David Zetland student’s writings on water shortages in other countries. Most Interesting Read Economist David Zetland’s Students Studying the Impact of Water Shortage in Europe, The one-handed economist, […]

Open Thread October 14 2023 State of Global Water Resources 2022

State of Global Water Resources 2022, World Meteorological Organization, wmo.int. The hydrological cycle is undergoing significant changes, with increasing global variability. Mainly due to climate change and human interventions. Living with Water Scarcity, Angry Bear, Dan Crawford, Living with Water Scarcity (2nd edition), The one-handed economist, David Zetland.

Income-based pricing for Electricity is a bad idea

Income-based pricing is a bad idea, The one-handed economist, David Zetland I learned, via GS, that some Berkeley researchers have proposed [pdf] customers should pay for electricity based on their income. Thus, I would pay half of what you would pay if I made half the income you did. This is a terrible idea, IMO, but I can […]

Irrigation efficiency for who?

I live halfway between Phoenix and Tucson. Pretty much what you would call desert if you were new to the area like I am. Water is an issue as much of it comes from the Colorado river. The limits to draw water from the Colorado are still being determined or in a flux. The states […]

Bad management and dry taps in Turin

* Please help my Water Scarcity students by commenting on unclear analysis, alternative perspectives, better data sources, or maybe just saying something nice. David Zetland Bad management and dry taps in Turin, The one-handed economist Kiara writes* Water scarcity in the metropolitan area of Turin (Italy) is the result of climate change, weak government policy, […]

Our success or failure in life may be influenced by where we’re born

Economist David Zetland lets us know our place of birth has a much larger impact on our success or failure globally than what we suspect. It is not solely up to us to be successful. The country of our birth has a great impact. The understanding of our luck to be where we are globally […]

Usefulnomics — an example

by David Zetland (originally published at The one-handed economist) I’m not shy about criticizing the weakest elements of economics (there are many), so it’s sometimes a good idea to remind myself (and you!) of the strengths of economics, i.e., those characteristics that make it useful. Here’s an example based on a test-question I just asked: […]

Cheap Labor Farming vs Mechanical Technology

Cheap labor versus Innovation . . . “Dutch innovators vs Dutch farmers,” The one-handed economist, David Zetland. This past weekend, I visited the Dutch Design Week exposition in Eindhoven (home of Philips). There were  hundreds thousands of interesting (and sometimes baffling) displays, demos and ideas scattered around town. One that caught my eye was from a […]