Economics

Said and DoneHumanities, arts, and social sciences digest for September 2010

Explained: Quantitative easingAn unconventional financial tool is getting more attention as the Fed tries to jump-start the U.S. economy

Financial impacts of ‘cap and trade’Analysis shows that, contrary to some claims, proposed legislation to limit carbon emissions would not disadvantage those with lower incomes.

Nobody’s homeMIT economist measures how much foreclosures lower housing prices.

When a little knowledge really is dangerousMIT Sloan professor on the ‘arms race’ between investors trying to understand financial products, and the firms trying to confuse them.

Haiti’s plightMIT anthropologist Erica James examines the psychological damage inflicted on the island nation’s inhabitants.

Said and DoneHumanities, arts, and social sciences digest for June 2010

Global water issues call on humanities and social science research

Energy answer: Blowing in the wind?MIT researchers say wind power can make sense for utility companies, starting now

Carl Kaysen commemoration to be held Saturday

Explained: Monte Carlo simulationsMathematical technique lets scientists make estimates in a probabilistic world

Said and DoneHumanities, arts, and social sciences digest for May 2010

Diamond nominated for Federal Reserve postMIT economist and Institute Professor is Obama’s choice for the U.S. central bank’s seven-person board of governors.

Esther Duflo wins Clark medalMIT’s influential poverty researcher heralded as best economist under age 40.

Six from MIT elected to AAAS

The deep roots of inequalityMIT economics student’s study of Peru shows how practices from hundreds of years ago can influence prosperity today. ‘Pathbreaking,’ says a Harvard economist.

Friends, family gather to honor Paul SamuelsonAt memorial service, Nobel-winning economist’s ‘warmth, wit and humility’ are recalled.

Michael Greenstone named director of The Hamilton ProjectMIT economist to head Washington-based policy group

‘Failure is good’In a talk to promote his new book, MIT’s Simon Johnson lambastes a finance industry he sees as lacking a healthy fear of losing money.

Paul Samuelson memorial to be held on April 10Event in Kresge Auditorium will celebrate the Nobel laureate’s life and legacy.

Paul Samuelson and Economics: Evolution of a ClassicNew memorial exhibit opens in Dewey Library

Explained: Regression analysisSure, it’s a ubiquitous tool of scientific research, but what exactly is a regression, and what is its use?

3 Questions: Hunt Allcott on behavioral economics and the energy crisisCan understanding human irrationality help solve our energy problems? An MIT researcher explains

Three from MIT win Soros Fellowships

Said and Done: Humanities, arts, and social sciences digest for March 2010

Banking on mobile moneyA cellphone-based cash transfer system has changed the way Kenyans handle their finances. But what does it mean for Kenya's economy — and the developing world?

A silver lining to the Copenhagen cloud?Though widely seen as a failure, December’s climate conference may actually have set the world on the right path, panelists suggest

Nobel laureate Krugman: ‘Dark age of macroeconomics’ is upon usIn Stata Center lecture, the Nobel Prize-winning former MIT professor warns that America is replaying its past economic policy mistakes.