Reading

This 2010 blog post from Overcoming Bias explores the possibility of airlines and travel websites using cookies to manipulate prices for customers.

Economist Steven Landsburg uses a science fiction novel about people who overselling shares of their future income and the example of Dean Martin to ponder if these contracts inherently invite fraud.

Marginal Revolution shares that John Cleese paid $5,100 for a Mercedes taxi from Oslo to Brussels after being stranded by the Icelandic volcano. via The source of this content is Marginal Revolution.

Robin Hanson explores the boundaries of sexism by questioning if agreeing with a claim that women prefer more medical interventions makes him sexist on his blog post "I Am Sexist." via Overcoming Bias.

Arnold Kling discusses Tyler Cowen's fiscal problems ideas, highlighting spending restraint in smaller countries while questioning the US ruling class's ability to address similar challenges. via Econlib.

Tyler Cowen examines Canada's successful government spending cuts in the 1990s, arguing that high social trust may have been key to their success. via The source of this content is Marginal Revolution.

George Washington borrowed two books in 1789 and never returned them, racking up $300,000 in late fees at a New York library. via The source of this content is BBC News.

This blog post examines why some laws are reliably enforced while others are left to the discretion of authorities, contrasting private and centrally-enforced law.

via Overcoming Bias.

Al Jazeera's live news updates cover Hezbollah rocket attacks on Haifa and Israel's bombing of Lebanon. via The source of this content is Al Jazeera.

This blog post on American political ideologies shares two satirical pieces. via kottke.org

Arnold Kling shares some quick thoughts on the preparedness of college students, the Greek debt crisis, and rising profits alongside declining employment in Forbes 500 companies. via Econlib

This 404 page suggests checking out recently published stories like Olympic closing ceremony flagbearers, an Israeli air strike in Gaza, and a plane crash in Brazil.

via The Irish Times