Monthly Archives: October 2009

Modeling Planet Earth is difficult.

Posted on October 18, 2009 by Chris F. Masse

In defense of Super Freakonomics A commenter on their blog: I am a paleoclimatologist, and can only say FINALLY. Someone with economics background understands the difference between reality and a model for reality. Al Gore, Jim Hansen, Paul Krugman, and … Continue reading →

Posted in All Best Posts Ever, Ethics, Forecasting (Science & Practice), History, Research, Science | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Harvard University crétins did bet on swaps and ended up losing $500 million.

Posted on October 18, 2009 by Chris F. Masse

“Harvard paid $497.6 million during the fiscal year ended June 30 to get out of $1.1 billion of interest-rate swaps intended to hedge variable-rate debt for capital projects, the report said. The university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, said it also agreed … Continue reading →

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“I Helped Richard Heene Plan a Balloon Hoax.”

Posted on October 18, 2009 by Chris F. Masse

Gawker Exclusive: “I Helped Richard Heene Plan a Balloon Hoax.” Was the Colorado Balloon boy drama a hoax?

Posted in Ethics, Exchanges & Markets, Market Prices & Probabilities, News | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In favor of global warming

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Chris F. Masse

A commenter on Freakonomics: Considering that: 1. The planet has not warmed as significantly as the AGW crowd would have us believe and appears to have begun cooling after 1998. 2. There are indications the planet will cool for as … Continue reading →

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HarperCollins is preventing bloggers to criticize Super Freakonomics by cutting off free access to excerpts of the book via Amazon.com.

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Chris F. Masse

Brad DeLong has the damning story. I like Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner very much, and I wish the polemique will end well for them. Previously: Super Freakonomics — Steven Levitt & Stephen Dubner — The Follow-Up On Freakonomics Super … Continue reading →

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InTrade should be regulated. InTrade is in total illegality, right now.

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Chris F. Masse

CFTC and SEC want authority over foreign exchanges that offer access to U.S. investors. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission and Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday recommended legislation that would expand the U.S. futures regulator’s authority over foreign exchanges that … Continue reading →

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Glenn Beck goes after Cass Sunstein.

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Chris F. Masse
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Prediction markets should be embeddable into a Google Wave.

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Chris F. Masse

Thought #2 about Google Wave. UPDATE: Jed says I will get the invite wave in a few days. Patience. I will then be able to invite friends of mine.

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MSNBC’s Chris Matthews vs. Head Texas Teabagger

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Chris F. Masse

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews (who is rightfully ultra critical) vs. Head Texas Teabagger (who defends free markets) – 16-10-20009 :

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I think Google Wave is a collaboration tool. It does not replace e-mail and Twitter –(it will replace IM, though). It is truly for people who want to produce a collective work.

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Chris F. Masse

Those are my first thoughts about using Google Wave. UPDATE: Jed says I will get the invite wave in a few days. Patience. I will then be able to invite friends of mine.

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