Being Ordinary

Why Is It So Hard to Be Ordinary?
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/open-questions/why-is-it-so-hard-to-be-ordinary
It’s what most of us are, most of the time. Shouldn’t it be enough? 

Economics and Morality

How should economists treat morality?
https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/05/21/how-should-economists-treat-morality
Sometimes it is more than merely an exogenous constraint. 

Will the Chip Bubble Burst?

Why it’s too late to jump on the chip bandwagon
https://www.reuters.com/commentary/breakingviews/why-its-too-late-jump-chip-bandwagon-2026-05-22/ 

China and the Emerging Markets

The other China shock
https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/05/21/the-other-china-shock
Does the country’s manufacturing success leave space for anyone else?
 
China Eliminates Tariffs on Africa to Outmaneuver Trump
https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/china-africa-tariffs-664f62eb
African countries are finding it harder to export to the U.S., while China sees it as an opportunity. 

Europe's Dilemma - Welfare versus Growth

Europe Can Be Poor if It Wants—but Does It?
https://www.wsj.com/opinion/europe-can-be-poor-if-it-wantsbut-does-it-83eb3dcd
There’s no moral bar against choosing welfare over economic growth. But don’t deny the trade-off. 

Asian Currencies Under Pressure

Thousands of Miles from the Iran War, Asia’s Currencies Feel the Strain
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/22/business/asia-currency-iran-dollar.html
Soaring oil prices and a surging dollar are testing Asia’s foreign-exchange reserves, which were built up after the 1997 crisis.  

Interesting Take on the Minimum Wage Debate

The Economic Experiment That Upended Reality
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/05/minimum-wage-experiment-worked/687255/
Minimum-wage increases were expected to kill jobs. The fact that they didn’t should make us rethink a lot of assumptions.