Monthly Archives: December 2017

The intriguing psychology of gift economics

Posted on December 22, 2017 by koenfucius

(featured image credit: stux/geralt/artsybee) What does viewing the giving of gifts as economic transactions reveal about what we really value? It’s two days before Christmas. You’re frantically looking for a gift for the one person you completely forgot. What is … Continue reading →

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Democracy’s feet of clay

Posted on December 15, 2017 by koenfucius

Do people make good choices when they vote? *Can* they? How come most of us, most of the time, don’t do crazy things? We make hundreds of decisions every day – lots of small ones, and once in a while … Continue reading →

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When loss aversion is your loss

Posted on December 8, 2017 by koenfucius

(credit: Jim Culp) What are we really giving up when we are being led by extreme loss aversion? An old friend of mine took up an unusual hobby at a relatively advanced age (well he was younger then than I … Continue reading →

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The compartments of your (financial) mind

Posted on December 1, 2017 by koenfucius

(credit: Like_the_Grand_Canyon) We are all mental accountants, for better and for worse   You probably have them too in your purse or your wallet: a stack of store loyalty cards. Every time you pass a till, you habitually hand over … Continue reading →

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