Those expensive shirts sound like "Veblen goods" to this farm boy. (View Post)

I've visited the site of the battle of Gettysburg a couple of times, and learned things both times. For instance, having grown up in the West, I still have to remember that standards for what is… (View Post)

Interesting to see that at least one person has read "The Marching Morons". Recently. Which reminds me of the conclusion that the "Freakonomics"people came to some years ago: As I… (View Post)

That 5 percent reminds me of my rule-of-thumb on political polls: In the US, about 5 percent will say the most amazing things, if given a chance. I love most of my fellow citizens, but I recognize a … (View Post)

Life expectancy in the US: It has increased steadily, except during wars and pandemics (of which the 1918 flu pandemic is the most important). (For those obsessed with race, I will observe that black… (View Post)