Reading

A recent article suggests teenagers can accurately assess the risks of dangerous behavior but value the perceived benefits more than adults.

Tyler Cowen disagrees with Ron Paul's support for a commodity-based system, arguing that it leads to an unstable money supply during economic downturns. via Marginal REVOLUTION

Steve Chapman's article, "2007: The Year in Thugs," argues that after a rise in democratic nations during the 1990s, the world has seen a resurgence of authoritarianism in the 21st century.

via Reason.com

The New York Times Magazine published a new feature about online craftsters and Etsy, highlighting the difficulties of succeeding in the face of intense competition on the platform. via kottke.org

This article from *Reason* analyzes the Republican presidential candidates in 2007, including frontrunners and dark horse candidates. via Reason.com

A Minneapolis family was terrorized when a SWAT team mistakenly raided their home, leading to gunfire and raising questions about "knock-and-announce" procedures. via Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets.

A Ukrainian man believed to be one of the oldest people in the world has died at age 116 before proof of his age could be submitted to Guinness World Records.

Tyler Cowen discusses the secession movement in Bolivia, where wealthier provinces are seeking autonomy. via The source of this content is Marginal Revolution.

A Reddit post from 2007 highlights a New York Times article stating that the increase in income for the top 1% of Americans from 2003-2005 was larger than the total income of the poorest 20% of Americans. via r/politics.

A Reddit post links to a 2007 Harper's article discussing how King James I in 1606 considered waterboarding "the most severe of the official forms of torture." via Harpers.org

This Reddit post from 17 years ago questions whether then-presidential candidate Mike Huckabee lied about having a theology degree. via r/politics

The Washington Post fact-checks Barack Obama.

via The Washington Post