Common theme to events: economic this Memorial Day. Doesn’t seem to matter whether you’re talking Covid, Cryptos, equities, bonds, trade, or politics.  We are – as a Nation (or parody thereof) very much stuck. What’s worse, the countertrend to set us free isn’t working, either. We’ll have a detailed look at the many failures of … Read More

Ever work on a serial data recorder?  Lots of fun.  One of the companies I worked for – back in the day – invented a data recorder used to capture RS-232 data when we were instrumenting the HEV Challenge run by Argonne National Labs about 20-years ago. Besides giving me “more than the average Bear’s” … Read More

Yes, it’s actually Thursday.  As I rolled out the garbage to the street – a highlight of Thursday’s here – the realization dawned:  The news is mostly garbage, anymore.  Maybe I should toss out one of the workstations? The Mania Checklist Bitcoins – the digital tulips – were back under 40-grand when I looked earlier.  With … Read More

Economics and Invention are inextricably tied. But are there logical limits to be observed?  Might these fit into the economic long wave? We face the question of “Invention” with physical bounds clearly in mind.  Many of which will become important as the clock rolls forward. After charts and a few grabby headlines, of course. More … Read More

We know that stocks are up around 40% year on year.  But, whether much of that is actual growth or government inflation to “paper-over” a second Depression is a worthwhile conversation. One thing you do need – regardless of your station in life – is a roof over your head.  Usefully, the Case-Shiller/S&P Housing report … Read More

I spent the better part of a half-hour last night snickering.  Not that I’m any kind of whiz on cryptos, mind you.  It’s just that our outlooks are coming in just like the “fixed horse in the sixth” that wasn’t going to make its feed bill for the season.  Coincidence or design, is it? While … Read More

Mental problems may be subtle, sometimes.  They can sneak-up unnoticed.  Then BLAM!  You’re crazy.  At least that’s a two-bit impression from the small time I’ve spent skimming psychology books. But it seems particularly probable when our “Equivalent Mondays Theory” is rolled out for a semi-annual airing. The theory holds that we can sometimes “get at truth” … Read More

I suppose there was a time when four-score and six (86) would have been an acceptable old age for a curious soul to reach.  Not enough now.  Back then?  Books were semi-precious. Knowledge had a useful shelf-life.  Travel was slow.  Telegraphs worked and phone calls were likely to be on a party line. Between market … Read More

It’s hard to think straight during a National Psychosis.  But this morning some thoughts on how to lower personal stress level and turn off dementia-inducing television.  Plus a few other tips. After a few general headlines and the morning’s ChartPack. More for Subscribers ||| Not a Subscriber? SUBSCRIBE NOW! ||| Subscriber Help Center

Reader Ray contributed a marvelous reality check in the Comments section overnight: “You remind me of Trevor Lawrence the #1 NFL draft pick this year. He said he was putting his entire $21,000,000 signing bonus into Bitcoin. Dumbass! BTC was at $55,000 and today it is trading a little over $40,000. That is down 27% … Read More

Imagining that you remember our advice (“Sell in May and Go Away”) we are not using this as a neener-neener moment.  OK, I was tempted… We need to sit back, thumb through books by Sun Tzu and von Clausewitz, and remember “Economics is war by other means.” Even von Clausewitz got it wrong:  War is … Read More

With Elaine’s second hip surgery done, we are back to being transfixed by markets. Which have become a bit off-the-wall this week.  Part of future direction may be guided by Fed Minutes but there are a ton of interest-sensitive “moving parts.” as we will discuss. Thanks to the many well-wishers and thanks for your prayers … Read More

Short column this morning as Elaine get’s “hippified” this morning.  I won’t bore you with the God-awful clock reading, but early is an understatement. One of the challenges (when a spouse) is headed in a “knifely direction” is maintaining balance and focus on all the details of life.  If columns have been a bit less … Read More