invisible hand

There are quite a few conflated statements and actions in circulation regarding America's economy and monetary policy. While it is true that raising a debt-ceiling does not in fact increase overall debt, rather just re-calibrates a county's ability to fulfill its outstanding obligations, and despite evidence to the contrary about past fiscal cycles, history and precedence and possibly the very definition of madness in expecting any other outcome, such a correction does not necessarily speak to thrift and discipline. On the contrary, a commitment to not default and continue to match the caretaking and stewardship responsibilities of a government demonstrates a discipline usually understood to be the opposite.

Unfortunately, these overtures came on the heels of the unexpected announcement by the US Federal Reserve cadre to continue its policy of quantitative ease (read printing more fiat money) in order to encourage growth and investment. Interest rates could hardly be any lower to discourage the hoarding of money in savings and encourage growth through investments—being the more attractive place to make one's money work for its keep. Stakeholders, however, cannot be exactly led to water by dwindling attractions, when amounts are large enough to be insulated. Half-a-percent of billions is quite a lot, even when swimming upstream. Bursars the world-around rally, knowing there is enough cushion to offset the lack-lustre dollar with selective prestige projects. Though from separate accounts, it is an awful coalition, a coming together, a flittering programme to back up some eighty-five billion dollars monthly of shaky bonds (debts) with copy-machine collateral compared to the goal of saving eight-billion dollars spread out over a year, with follow-on aims for the next decade, in the name of sequestration—which, I suspect, achieved retrograde success. Already agencies, petty tyrants, are being urged to update contingency plans for a lapse in funding, which will play out the same as the exercise in work-stoppage known as furloughs. Absent cooperation and clear objectives, I am not sure what economies, who have painted themselves into a corner, could do.

polling place or fragenbogen

A section of the German electorate is gifting its ballots to expatriates and EU citizens unable to influence the outcome of the campaign via a social-media group called Electoral Rebellion in order to lend a voice to those outliers affected by Germany's stance in the European Union, like the Spaniards and Hellenes in the face of austerity measures and others further afield with the potential to be touched by new German policy. From a legal standpoint, it appears, that the volunteers are simply soliciting the advice of foreigners, and participants—with no expectation of quid pro quo, would have probably voted for the candidates most sympathetic to the views of those voting by proxy, but the action does raise a needed discussion on supra-national politics and infringements as well. What do you think? Is this action, stunt not far from buying and selling votes or a broader and necessary world-view?

shutter-bug

Der Spiegel's international desk reports through a narrative of the scavenger- hunt (die Schnitzeljagd) and a collection of the discoveries on the City of Leipzig being the latest entry among German metropolises in a new form of tourism that aims to capture urban landscapes in new ways through sponsored Photo Marathons. I really like this idea, although when exploring someplace new I have not assigned myself a certain theme, especially such esoteric ones subject to abstract license—except maybe manholes and graffiti.

biometrics or cutting off your nose to spite your face

Not long ago, a group of hacktivistas requisitioned the fingerprints of a high ranking German minister from a water glass in order to illustrate inherent flaws in the personal security prescription that the minister was championing.
The lifted prints were circulated and used in this experiment for impersonation, showing that any element of biometric data released into the wilds (that's why it proves useful for police in forensics) is prone for use and abuse and not such an advisable method for locking and unlocking personal troves. Of course, passwords not generally circulated are prone to other methods, but owning that false-sense of security is an expensive proposition. For the interim, I can envision people doffing and donning their shoes and socks for verification-purposes. There are of course methods to suppress ne'er-do-wells but I wonder with thieves wearing charm necklaces of trophy thumbs and toes if the sort of safety that is being sold to us is possible.