Category Archives: Economics

The Hated Bedroom Tax

Posted on March 6, 2015 by odeboyz

An anecdotal story. Some people will know that more than a decade ago we set up our own TMO (Tenant Management Organisation) in order to manage three council owned tower blocks of 146 two bedroom flats, in the Hornchurch area … Continue reading →

Posted in Autobiography, Economics, Politics, tenants rights | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Ken Dodd: Comedian and Tax Avoider*, 1989

Posted on March 3, 2015 by odeboyz

Ken Dodd’s lawyer at the trial: “Some accountants are comedians, but comedians are never accountants.” George Carman QC (Dodd was acquitted) How Ken Dodd began his act after the trial “Good evening, my name is Kenneth Arthur Dodd; singer, photographic … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Humour | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

In Praise of Premium Bonds

Posted on January 16, 2015 by odeboyz

Britain’s unique state lottery is called ‘Premium Bonds’. Although it is a lottery, the bondholders can get their money, in full, on demand : the antidote of true lotteries. A further unique feature is that numbers have a recurring opportunity … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How Economists Think: Victor Echevarria*

Posted on December 30, 2014 by odeboyz

“…. whilst we don’t expect deflation, we do think inflation will remain in negative territory in the coming months.” *Spanish economist quoted in Wall Street Journal 30th July 2014 (Chris)

Posted in Economics, statistics | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Ebola, Malaria and TB*: Competing Horrors

Posted on November 28, 2014 by odeboyz

At the time of writing, (November 2014) ebola is still an incurable disease causing fewer than 6,000 deaths from about 14,000 infections. It is a gruesome disease. Potentially, but not certainly, it may mutate into a mega-disease. Mega-diseases, such as … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Health, Politics, statistics | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Disruptive Events and Unknown Unknowns

Posted on November 14, 2014 by odeboyz

“There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, History, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Disruptive Technology and the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Posted on October 31, 2014 by odeboyz

An ultra- modern householder in 1914 probably purchased recently invented gadgets powered by electricity like toasters, vacuum cleaners, ovens and telephones. These, and subsequent, inventions are the disruptive technology of our era. For example by 1954, 1.75 million domestic servant … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, History, Technology | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Availability Bias

Posted on October 28, 2014 by odeboyz

Jim thinks that petrol is expensive because he doesn’t get a weekly depreciation/insurance/maintenance bill for his car. (Chris)

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(I can’t get no ) Satisfaction

Posted on September 9, 2014 by odeboyz

I’m just a heap of years A mountain of wearisome time; My wealth is piling high, ever increasing; Too much to spend, too much to give away Wealth growing year by year, drawling sarcastically “Money doesn’t talk, it swears.” A heap … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Very Unusual Charity: Eton College

Posted on August 29, 2014 by odeboyz

Eton College is the principal fee paying school in Britain. Surprisingly, it’s also a charity. As a result, those who attend Eton are subsidised by the taxpayer.  Charities in Britain have a number of finanacial advantages reflecting their charitable work: … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Politics, School, statistics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 23 Comments