The Good, The Bad, The Economy

Decision-Making

Who Really Cares About Democracy?

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on March 2, 2024

How can one gauge sentiment for democracy in places where free speech is tightly suppressed? A new technique appears to pick up underlying valence without attracting censorship.

How can one gauge sentiment for democracy in places where free speech is tightly suppressed? A new technique appears to pick up underlying valence without attracting censorship.

Identity

Identity and Violence

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on November 22, 2023

A Personal Perspective: A Canadian-Israeli peace activist's funeral on October 7 evokes a meditation on the uncommonness of transcendent humanity.

A Personal Perspective: A Canadian-Israeli peace activist's funeral on October 7 evokes a meditation on the uncommonness of transcendent humanity.

Behavioral Economics

Big Tech and Its Discontents

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on September 6, 2023

Economists Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson explain why technological progress is doing more for corporate bottom lines than for most people's quality of life lately.

Economists Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson explain why technological progress is doing more for corporate bottom lines than for most people's quality of life lately.

Artificial Intelligence

What Happens When AI Attains Self-Interest?

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on April 4, 2023

The biggest danger of AI may be the possibility of its evolving a "self." Kept free of self and self-interest, however, AI could empower and serve us.

The biggest danger of AI may be the possibility of its evolving a "self." Kept free of self and self-interest, however, AI could empower and serve us.

Environment

What the DART Mission Says About Human Nature and the Economy

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on October 31, 2022

Worrying that an asteroid like the one that did in the last dinosaurs might be headed our way? Fear less.

Worrying that an asteroid like the one that did in the last dinosaurs might be headed our way? Fear less.

Punishment

The Psychological Silver Lining of Faceless Bureaucracy

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on August 6, 2022

Why do we let impersonal authority figures enforce rules? Doing so may be psychologically easier when even a small amount of doubt is present, research finds.

Why do we let impersonal authority figures enforce rules? Doing so may be psychologically easier when even a small amount of doubt is present, research finds.

Psychology

Universal Versus Tribal Psychology

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on April 5, 2022

Why is the West psychologically peculiar and how did it become relatively rich? Explaining the past is one thing. Preparing for the future is a bigger challenge.

Why is the West psychologically peculiar and how did it become relatively rich? Explaining the past is one thing. Preparing for the future is a bigger challenge.

Punishment

Getting Others to Do Their Fair Share, Fairly

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on December 19, 2021

More evidence that humans are a cooperative species: cooperators pay to monitor, not punish blindly.

More evidence that humans are a cooperative species: cooperators pay to monitor, not punish blindly.

Teamwork

Total Selfishness Has Few Legs to Stand On

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on June 12, 2021

The Prisoner's Dilemma is one example of how hyper-rational self-interest derails our shared welfare. The social dilemma game Centipede adds emphasis in spades.

The Prisoner's Dilemma is one example of how hyper-rational self-interest derails our shared welfare. The social dilemma game Centipede adds emphasis in spades.

Psychology

Behavioral economists see partisan good, threat, in America

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on February 22, 2021

Competition between contending views can fuel civic engagement, but until we've put needed checks in place, our aspirations towards democracy may well prove to be in vain.

Competition between contending views can fuel civic engagement, but until we've put needed checks in place, our aspirations towards democracy may well prove to be in vain.

Cognition

Showing the Alpha Male the Door

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on November 21, 2020

An analysis of body language by a high-ranking primate is but one of many pearls in this gem of a book by the leading scientific voice on learning from our ape cousins.

An analysis of body language by a high-ranking primate is but one of many pearls in this gem of a book by the leading scientific voice on learning from our ape cousins.

Meditation

A Meditation on Time and Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Jewish New Year

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on September 19, 2020

There is a human need to mark the passage of time. On the eve of the Jewish New Year, an inspiring example of what a human life can be came to an end.

There is a human need to mark the passage of time. On the eve of the Jewish New Year, an inspiring example of what a human life can be came to an end.

Health

“Deaths of Despair” Preceded Pandemic; What Will Follow?

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on September 4, 2020

Case and Deaton's "Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism" should not be overshadowed by COVID-19, a pandemic that adds to the pre-existing epidemic of needless deaths.

Case and Deaton's "Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism" should not be overshadowed by COVID-19, a pandemic that adds to the pre-existing epidemic of needless deaths.

Trust

Gauging Trust as the Pandemic Continues

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on June 28, 2020

A survey you can sample tries to gauge the state of trust in government, and among individuals, in the time of Covid-19.

A survey you can sample tries to gauge the state of trust in government, and among individuals, in the time of Covid-19.

Psychology

PPE for Democracy?

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on June 8, 2020

The psychology of social movements suggests that "hazmat suits for democracy" is a movement waiting to happen.

The psychology of social movements suggests that "hazmat suits for democracy" is a movement waiting to happen.

Teamwork

COVID-19: As Ever, the Human Advantage Is Cooperation

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on May 28, 2020

In the struggle between the simplest and the most complex life form, the human advantage is not only intelligence but, perhaps more importantly, cooperation.

In the struggle between the simplest and the most complex life form, the human advantage is not only intelligence but, perhaps more importantly, cooperation.

Politics

For high quality of life, accountable government a necessity

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on February 16, 2020

Want to read (or gift) a good book about politics and polities for President's Day? Try 'The Narrow Corridor,' which comes complete with "shackled leviathan."

Want to read (or gift) a good book about politics and polities for President's Day? Try 'The Narrow Corridor,' which comes complete with "shackled leviathan."

Cognition

Overconfidence, Inequality, and “Just World” Thinking

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on December 23, 2019

By over-attributing success to their own hard work, some downweight fairness concerns due to perceptual error.

By over-attributing success to their own hard work, some downweight fairness concerns due to perceptual error.

Empathy

Shared Adversity and Empathy

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on October 16, 2019

The grandchildren of individuals secluded in a leper colony until the 1950s are both unusually kind towards strangers, and kinder still towards members of their own community.

The grandchildren of individuals secluded in a leper colony until the 1950s are both unusually kind towards strangers, and kinder still towards members of their own community.

Teamwork

Are Government and the Market Strange Bedfellows?

Louis Putterman Ph.D. on August 31, 2019

The economist argues that understanding the government as a potential ally is crucial to reversing the prolonged decline of America’s middle class.

The economist argues that understanding the government as a potential ally is crucial to reversing the prolonged decline of America’s middle class.