Monthly Archives: August 2018

How effective is your altruism?

(featured image credit: Yukiko Matsuoka CC/BY) We cannot escape profound, inevitable trade-offs when it comes to how we use our resources – including when we give them away.  Next time you pay for your groceries at the supermarket, have a look … Continue reading

Posted in Behavioural economics, Economics, Ethics, Morality, Philosophy, Psychology | Tagged , | 1 Comment

(Behavioural) economics through sunglasses

(featured image credit: Jennifer Stahn BY/CC) When you’ve embraced economic thinking, even a summer break from work doesn’t stop you from seeing how profoundly us humans truly are economic beings This summer I have once again been wearing my trusted economics … Continue reading

Posted in Behavioural economics, Cognitive biases and fallacies, Economics, Ethics, Psychology, Society | Tagged | 1 Comment

More fun with percentages

(featured image credit: geralt/Pixabay) Absolute numbers generally give little insight to anything, but even percentages, averages and ratios must sometimes be treated with caution Earlier this week, the British advertising regulator ASA banned an Amazon advert that promised one-day delivery … Continue reading

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Bending your mind

(featured image credit: Emilio Garcia CC BY) Our beliefs are not always as solid and stable as we tend to, well, believe they are…. Our view of the world is shaped significantly by our beliefs. We believe that this, that … Continue reading

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Value, imagined

(featured image: credit: Ali Eminov CC BY) Is the value of stuff we buy, from grapefruit to airline seats, in the mind of the beholder? Magic doesn’t really exist, but in a way, economics comes close. Contrary to what common wisdom … Continue reading

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