Hi, Ollie Spengler here,....as our civilization approaches it's winter months, you will notice that the great meritocracy is turning toward a fanatic-ocracy. I'm only saying,......"
On assignment in Western Massachusetts
Click the photo for the travelogue.
1965 - four minute - course on Existentialism
For extra credit, read Sartre's On Being and Nothingness
“In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule.”
Friedrich Nietzche
I like romantic novels,..do you?
Take Nietzche, some Adam Smith, some Dorothy Parker and you end up with me. I was on the spectrum and considered dangerous.
Not your normal recession
Tim Geitner's house is for sale
It's worth less than what he bought it for.
Dartmouth, Class of 1983 with a BA in Government Studies
"Turning and turning in the widening gyre,....."
America's first titan of big money; Vanderbilt knew how to compound his holdings
The Jeffersonian Democrats had to be astonished at the accelerated scaling of wealth. Vanderbilt would be worth $143 billion in 2007 dollars. His enterprise? Transportation: a nation absorbing waves of immigrants needed to transport people, goods and services.
Irving Fisher - "shaking out the lunatic fringe"
The go to economist during 1929 - Fisher was summoned by Wall Street to offer advice on the volatility after the October crash. Clinging to the inflated stock valuations of the time, Fisher insisted that the swell in stock prices were justified - hence his quotation of the day. He would later learn that there were trading houses deliberately inflating and shorting stocks. The Econ Hall of Fame Fisher equation is MV=PT(quantity theory of money). The center couldn't hold and Fisher's career is filled with oddities that could drive a cult
Hank Paulson stepped off the stage in Dec. 08.
Good thing; he'd be dodging a lot of bullets by now. Hank was deep in the weeds this time last spring; Bear had gone down and Lehman Brothers were putting out statements saying nothings wrong. Just like Citi, B of A and Goldman are saying today.
Elizabeth Warren: she is on the oversight committee for the TARP.
"Please tell us what is going on with the TARP?" What happened to your colleagues at the B school? What are they teaching over there?
H. L. Mencken, known for his "definitions" of terms, defined a demagogue as "one who will preach doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots."
Very nice style, is this an armory? Arms, they store munitions there as well?
Most mid to large cities have an armory. Splendid architecture; always on a grand scale. A place to store arms and even drill. Why? Well, seems so long ago now; they were built with government funds in order to protect the industrial class from populist wrath. They served a purpose; for when classical economic systems failed they triggered public outrage. The militia; the guard; would mount and ride off to quell the uprising, whether outside the factory gates or near the courthouse. Your ancestors were either inside or outside, depending on a few inflections of fate.
Dick Grasso, former CEO of the New York Stock Exchange.Dick's retired now.
A very handsome severance - a court ruled that he could keep the $139.5 million - from inflated valuations: I guess you can call it performance based "ponzi". Phantom wealth on irrational lending? Is winner take all capitalism what American's want? Decidedly yes!
Richard Whitney, presided over the Stock Exchange during the 29 crash.
Summoned before Congress as part of the new deal reform hearings; he suggested the the government was responsible for the depression and that people in public service were overpaid. Hero's and Villain's - Rich chose the latter.
Manifest Destiny
I often think of this image when I'm stuck in traffic for miles to get through one toll booth
Herbert Hoover: 31st President of the United States
Irrational exuberance came to an end as Hoover took office. The fantasy and froth could not sustain and Hoover was faced with trying to resurrect a broken machine with primitive tools. It was overwhelming. Hoover was keen, bright and understood the problem; but he couldn't fix the machine; the engine needed to be modified in ways that were previously unimaginable.
John Raskob; spoke for the irrational exuberance prior to the 29 crash.
In August of 1929, he published an article in the Ladies Home Journal entitled, "Everybody ought to be rich." John, like many of his peers, was soon swallowed in the economic fallout that followed his pitch.
Law and order cannot be maintained without courts and cops.
Fair trade cannot be maintained without rules and regulations.
Prohibition ended as Roosevelt took the oath
Booze flowed again; but liquidity all but stopped. The first year of the crash was mixed forecasts; the fundamentals were sound. Three years into it; industrial production was at an all time low. It was grim.
Today's Economic quote: "It's not all roses here at the top."
Hi, you'd know this face anywhere - I'm J.P. Morgan and in 1907, I bailed out Wall Street almost single handedly. Do you think anyone remembers that? No, they just think I'm just another big financier that hates the common people. I can't stand J.D. Rockefeller if that helps appease your populist wrath. Oh, and lastly, read Brad Delong's rotisserie musings this week.
Fredrich Hayek
Advanced classical economic models toward utilitarian and liberal agenda's. A favorite among conservatives ideologues; he is often referenced for their political agenda's; cherry picking Hayak's thesis when it's convenient.
Citizen Journalism
The BSJ - Founded 1843. Dissolved in 1933. Re-booted in 2005.
Need to vent? Get it off at Broad Street.
Always, looking for contributors who can help us to understand the world we occupy.
Drop us a line. scottieyoubum@yahoo.com
Place your add with The BSJ.
It pays to advertise so why not start here. All ten of our readers will take notice. Buy this square for $2.00 per month.
Ernst "Fritz" Schumacher
Wrote a book entitled "Small is beautiful". In it Fritz proposes more decentralized economic models.
The Broad Street Traders Lounge
Corner of Water and Broad Streets in Downtown Boston, it was more famous for skirting prohibition then for producing any millionaires. Closed in 1931, it never relocated although in 1947 there was talk of re-opening.
Place your add here.
Prices slashed this week. TWENTY DOLLARS - yes, $20.00 to advertise here for the month of April.
Don't pass up this deal. Prices won't last! Act now!
Developer's dream,...no wait a minute - that's for a different market......
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
Sometimes economists have to turn to philosophers. Phenomenology of the mind – philosophy of history – bear in mind, sitting down trying to fully comprehend Hegel is no easy task. It may strike a few as tedious, however, if you end up tracking some of his thought processes, it’s a guaranteed chill and you’ll soon realize that Hegel is looking at history as volatile and organic and prone to radical unpredictabilities. It proves that there is no terra firma in Man’s epic journey.
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Herbert Marcuse: Critical Theory and the Frankfurt School
A major voice in Critical Theory arising out of the Frankfurt School, we recommend two significant titles: “Reason & Revolution”, “Eros & Civilization” – not readily taken up at most social events, the substantive nature of Marcuse’s treatments are staggering and a serious cause for re-evaluating our heritage. Marcuse constructs a synthesis out of the traditions of Hegel, Marx, & Freud and it is very readable. This is social criticism that’s “straight up”.
Nikolai Dmitrijewitsch Kondratiev was a Soviet economist
Considered a heterodox economist (unconventional) he structured a theory that relied on cycles or waves to explain macro economic phenomena that was dominated by technological revolutions – like – steam -rail – petroleum – electronics. He inferred that these cycles had built in drivers that were necessary for self -correction and capital reconciliation. This didn’t win him many accolades in his native Russia – condemned to the Gulag and shot in 1938.
Jurgen Habermas: the Frankfurt School of political Economy.
A distinguished Professor at the Frankfurt School of Social Research. He qualified a space – herein referred to as the public sphere – a “virulent feedback loop cloud” that governs the public’s daily movements through the zeitgeist and fosters confusion and fragmentation. The US consumes more amperage in this space then do other nations.
64 Broad Street 1980
Some of Boston's more notable street-scapes languished during the post war economic boom. Development swept through the city in the 80's. Twilight gave way to daylight ending the cities notorious urban blight while beginning a 25 year run of economic growth.
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$20.00 per month -the rates are going up next month 1000% increase, so act now.
Alex De Tocqueville
French author saw the promise of the new nation and wrote to its successive generations. We are still listening Alex.
ADVERTISE NOW in the BSJ.
All account executives are not equal and ours is beyond the reach of the SEC or any other regulatory bodies. Despite losing all of the BSJ's investments in Linotype stock futures, mainframe computer start-ups, and asbestos mines - our accountant major general is looking at a another round of financial wizardry. He's sworn to silence right now - call for a prospectus.
Edward Bellamy
Wrote a bestseller in the 1890's entitled "Looking Backwards". A Mass native, he mixed science fiction with economics and philosophized a future world which had defeated scarcity economics.
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Spring forward to your nearest bar.
Lauren Clark: distinguished lecturer and mixologist knows there's better living through fermentation chemistry
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Voted #1 trading software by Barron's
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$20.00 dollars for the month -
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The BSJE does not forget
We still receive letters here from those expressing their concerns for the much lamented failure of the Tontine Crescent.
Continental Party system model is too big for Empire
This traditional US phenomenon has become irrational. Please pledge your support to referendum democracy.
Very informal commentary on urban history, politics and economics. Here we sit and mostly opine - how will this savage global empire ever find constant equilibrium?
Broad Street derivative traders have a special affinity for modern economists.
The regulars at the Broad Street trader's lounge have a special reverence for Economists: our tribal elders, the brave and fearless: all those who've tried to understand the beast - tried to quantify it and qualify it and make sense of it all ("cue 'pomp and circumstance', please") have honorary chairs at the bar.
Below are some of the more notable names that have graced the Academic hallways for the Department of Economics.
But first, let's meet William Butler Yeats - famous Irish playwright and poet
"The best lacked all conviction while the worst were full of passionate intensity."
Hi, I’m William butler Yeats – I’ve been asked to come to the BSJE to preside over the posts as some kind of surrogate dead poet deacon. I’m here because of my famous line -see above- I was inspired to write. You see I witnessed the last centuries beginnings when economic strife turned into protectionism, then congealed into a fervent nationalism that finally culminated in Fascism. Be forewarned, these things can happen.
Here's some news for our beloved William Yeats
Europe skews to the right; like it did in the thirties when the economy got trashed. It's happened before.
John Kenneth Galbraith
Economist and diplomat; published extensively on Economics. Taught at Harvard and Princeton; served in the Kennedy Administration as Ambassador to India, he wrote some most memorable books on the subject.
Hi,...I own your pointed little head and then some........
Adam Smith: One of the originators of classical economic theory.
Classical economic theory starts with observations on 17th century mercantilism; supply and demand and the order out of chaos. The markets drive these actions; for lack of a better description, they operate by an "invisible hand" so Smith stated. One of the ironic observations was a robust market system predicated upon individuals pursuing their own self-interest.
Karl Marx observed the self interest market system was exclusionary.
As the classical economy theory thesis evolved so did it's antithesis. Meet Karl Marx. You either love him or hate him - there isn't much middle ground when you mention the works of Karl Marx. Of course few people read him - and even fewer try to understand the context of his times. "You know folks, I'm a product of a Judaeo-Christian tradition so don't be alarmed, my thesis isn't that threatening - it was motivated by a desire to help the poor and downtrodden, not to enslave people to homogeneous economic systems - give me a break, will you?"
Thomas Robert Malthus
Take population growth; add the concept of scarcity and you have the building blocks of a misery index. Your looking at Thomas Malthus – unsung hero for this credible proposition; consistent today as it was 200 years ago. World population is a staggering 8 billion – predicted to be 10 billion in less then 30 years.
David Ricardo & the theory of comparative advantage
Among his contemporaries is John Stuart Mill and Malthus. Early on in the quagmire of the dismal science, Ricardo is a major contributor for recognizing the breadth of economic influence everywhere.
My name is John Stuart Mill
One phrase I'm famous for goes like this, "the greatest good for the greatest number." It appears that with this line, I've now taken title to the man who epitomized "liberalism". Imagine, that, I guess that's an honor among a taciturn majority
Alfred Marshall
Marshall pushed the classical theory into more mathematical rigor. His codification of supply and demand & marginal utility gave impetus to price theory. He became the grand poo-bah for Economic theory and among his students was a guy a named Keynes.
Thorstein Veblen - American Economist - Sociologist
Veblen saw economics as part of a social hierachy - one individual trying to out do the other. "Thorstein, you would no doubt enjoy the novels of Tom Wolfe."
John " In the end, we're all doomed" Maynard Keynes
That's John Maynard Keynes -the guy that came to rescue the world capitalist crisis in the 30's. Basically he devised a economic policy where government could partner with private enterprise - a mixed capitalist model where the government became the lender/catalyst of last resort. Praised and villified; he was a major player on the all-star economic cast. "When Capitalism tanked in the thirties, I booted it's ass with government stimulus - it helped - believe me it helped -so get off my back!"
Joseph Schumpeter - Read his book: Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy
Joseph Schumpeter has a lot to contribute to today's economic picture. He coined the phrase creative destruction - a phrase that just happens to fit nicely with the current world we inhabit. Schumpeter forsaw the outcome and final merger of capitalism and socialism. Private concerns become entwined with the state and federal creating a kind of "corporatism". He noted that it would stagnate; stifle innovation and depart from the pure neoclassical model and the pure communist paradise that were debated so vigorously by his intellectual ancestry.
Meet Karl Polanyi: an unsung activist for political economics
Karl quickly became aware of the scale of empire expansion and economics. He turned on the Austrian School of Economics with it's abstract theoretical models. A career in the trenches, his most noted work is the book "The Great Transformation". No small task, Karl tries to get his arms around the colossal beast. This book should be a prerequisite for just having a conversation with someone.
Paul Samuelson: American Economist - The abstract expressionist of Economic Theory
Paul Samuelson: the master of integrating math and economics notes for record some of the schisms that have driven history to this point. Click on the picture for an excellent interview
Martin Feldstein - Chair at the Bureau of Economic Research
Martin Feldstein - contemporary economic theorist and advisor. Marty needs to brush up on Chaos Theory - he among most of his peers didn't factor in the latest collapse.
Milton Friedman: Chicago School - famed theorist for classical theory and monetary policy
One of the main architects for the Fed's actions of the last 40 years. He took the Reductio ad absurdum to the Keynsians and helped discredit government fiscal stimulus. If Ol Uncle Milty could come back and look now. Mr. Greenspan - one of your students - had to withdraw some of your famous assumptions.
"I'll take five double Stohli's on the rocks and five jumbo drafts...make'em frothy..."
Today's rascal economist- trouble-maker - Mr. Alan Greenspan. He recanted some of his assumptions in front of Congress in the fall of 08. Recanting assumptions is a big deal among the brethren of Economic Theory. In 04, he was concerned the housing market exhibited what he called "froth." We have taken that description and are now running with it - thank you Allen.
We provide credit,.....
In the 80's, Boston's Broad Street was filled with Laissez-faire micro-lenders. Their interest rates were high and their terms were pretty strict. If you defaulted on your loan, you could get severely penalized. "Things go snap in the quiet of the night."
Hunter Thompson is helping us to understand the legacy of our generation.
Herein referred to on this weblog as the G of S. Oh, and don't forget the swine's genetic droppings - sub prime swine
The problem is you!
P.T. Barnum, H.L. Menchen, even Twain had to comment on the root of the problem. We like to call it the ACGVM - the average common garden variety moron problem. You've been dumbed down on purpose. You are limited by your own brain's capacity on what can be absorbed. Don't be offended we consider ourselves morans as well.
Broad Street Burka's now on sale 50% off.
100% polyester/melamine woven fabric with mold retardants. Send in your corporate logo and we will emboss the forehead in the design of your choice.We have a full inventory of authentic, polyester, non flammable Generation of Swine burka's in our store. You should check out our spring collection.
Boston City Hall: preserve it or demolish it - you decide
1980's Federal Reserve Bank Presidents getting frisky with the admin staff. These guys knew how to regulate, but they got pink slipped once this photo got circulated. You have to forgive them, they were giddy after printing a lot of money in those years.
Help me draft the house bill!
The 1040 (and 1040a) should be used for referendum issues - pertaining to federal budgets. Send me your ideas.
That's Mitchell way in the background -he's the keeper of the archives.
Mitchell rolled into Broad Street in the early 1980's only to find the street a kind of carnival of cultural decadence. It's documented in the archives - so feel free to browse.
I'm one of your hosts but am always looking for others to contribute.
Look, I'll never make it to that roster up there without a PHD. I have an account in Nigeria but I need your help to secure the funds. If you would send a verification of your bank account at this address scottieyoubum@yahoo.com then I will have power of council to release the funds.
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