Monthly Archives: December 2016

Oh yes, you can; oh no, you don’t have to

Posted on December 30, 2016 by koenfucius

How often do you say “I’m sorry but I can’t…” or “I really have to…” – and is that really the case? (credit for featured image: diowncx/pixabay) Think about it: it is overwhelmingly likely that you are talking nonsense almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavioural economics, Emotions | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Terrorism, immigration and rationality

Posted on December 23, 2016 by koenfucius

(credit for featured image: pavlofox/pixabay) Is there a case for closing the borders to avoid terrorist attacks? The symbolism of the latest terror attack in Europe at a Berlin Weihnachtsmarkt on 19 December is palpable. Even though the religious connotation of … Continue reading →

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The true meaning of a gift

Posted on December 16, 2016 by koenfucius

(featured image credit: pexels/pixabay) It’s not necessarily what is in the box that matters The season of goodwill and of finding suitable gifts for relatives and friends is upon us once again. It’s also the time of the year when economist … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavioural economics | Tagged , | 3 Comments

A little note on occasion of Thomas Schelling’s passing away

Posted on December 15, 2016 by koenfucius

Earlier this week, Thomas Schelling died at the age of 95 (thus adding further support to the hypothesis being a Nobel-prize winning economist is a good way to ensure a long, healthy life). It was his book Micromotives and Macrobehaviour … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavioural economics, Economics | Leave a comment

Blinded by a halo

Posted on December 9, 2016 by koenfucius

Think you’re getting the message? Chances are it’s seriously distorted according to who speaks or writes when you’re listening or reading Could you, in a single glance, determine whether a character in a movie was a “good” one or an … Continue reading →

Posted in Cognitive biases and fallacies, politics | Tagged | 1 Comment

The deceitfulness of the “will of the people”

Posted on December 2, 2016 by koenfucius

(credit: eak_kkk/pixabay) A democracy should be guided by what its citizens want, not  by a caricature constructed by politicians This time of the year, many children are writing their letters to Santa Claus, emphasizing how good they’ve been, and setting out … Continue reading →

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