In 1987, Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Solow bemoaned the fact that “you can see the computer age everywhere but in the productivity statistics."   The effects of AI may soon be all too evident – just unfortunately in the wrong direction. Latest from me Reuters Breakingviews

Can the UK go back to being the richest country in the world? Tom Forth thinks so. tomforth.co.uk/richestcountry…

UK = lowest total investment in G7 over last 30 years Then again UK = 3rd highest GDP growth in G7 over last 30 years If it were just about investment, Japan (inv ave 28%) = the G7 growth champion. It wasn't (ave growth +1.6% p.a.). Instead US (22%) was (+2.7% p.a.).

"As the World Trade Organization approaches its 30th birthday on New Year’s Day, 2025, the international trading system is in crisis." Latest from me in Financial Times on.ft.com/4bNjkZk

An almost Baudrillardian exchange! Postmodern news media, having ascended to pure performativity, finds its ideal audience in AI... (Section is in fact a powerful interview with Andrew Malkinson, wrongly imprisoned for 17 yrs, about accountability - highly recommended)

Battles lines being drawn ... on.ft.com/3y9vDkS

"At the COP26 climate summit ... in 2021, policymakers announced they were “consigning coal to history.” Utter nonsense. ... Talking about imaginary progress in reducing coal demand doesn’t enhance the energy transition; it makes it far more difficult." reuters.com/breakingviews/…

Masterful scene-setting of one of the biggest questions re a Trump-Vance administration from Chris Marsh. Tomorrow in my Reuters Breakingviews column I'll stick my oar in...

"The US currency’s long-predicted demise has so far failed to materialise. The former president’s possible return to the White House is a reason to reconsider." Latest from me Reuters Breakingviews : reuters.com/breakingviews/…

"Now is the time for a move to more rational policymaking." Why judicious use of cost benefit analysis is essential to making good public policy. Richard Layard in today's Financial Times on.ft.com/4cQkqDS

The 'Monetary Maquis' is back in Argentina... (See Ch 4 of Money: the Unauthorised Biography) bloomberg.com/news/features/…

"Not one man in a million understands the nature of money - and you meet him every day." Latest from me in the Financial Times: on.ft.com/3MyYX7Y

Latest of @HanifKureishi 's superb short essays ...

A fair summary. Begs the question ofc: how do humans come up with new ideas? Alternatively: if in silico computation is not an accurate metaphor for in vivo human process - what is?

Paging Megan Stevenson ... law.virginia.edu/news/202403/pr…