COVID-19 – 11 Fabrice Grinda – Survivre : le seul KPI du moment
April 24, 2020
Discussion sympa avec Matthieu de Generation Do It Yourself sur COVID, l’economie, les startups Pour ce 11ème épisode … Continue reading “COVID-19 – 11 Fabrice Grinda – Survivre : le seul KPI du moment”
The global economy and its impact on startups in the time of COVID-19
March 20, 2020
In February I suggested that the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 disease it causes may be the black … Continue reading “The global economy and its impact on startups in the time of COVID-19”
COVID-19 may be the black swan that pushes the global economy into recession
February 24, 2020
If there is one thing that businesses and individuals hate even more than bad news, it’s uncertainty. Even … Continue reading “COVID-19 may be the black swan that pushes the global economy into recession”
Interview in Les Echos (in French): Tech will make the World a Better Place
October 9, 2019
Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hosting a salon dinner with members of French Founders prior … Continue reading “Interview in Les Echos (in French): Tech will make the World a Better Place”
We are lucky to be alive right now!
February 20, 2017
In these fraught political times, it’s good to take a step back from the day to day minutia. … Continue reading “We are lucky to be alive right now!”
Technology and the Future of Work
July 11, 2016
Technological progress continues unabated. The astonishing rate of growth has fueled heated debates about implications on the future … Continue reading “Technology and the Future of Work”
Donald Trump: The Startup Disrupting the GOP Establishment
March 30, 2016
by Fabrice Grinda and Mike Lloyd Many people have been amazed at the support that Donald Trump has … Continue reading “Donald Trump: The Startup Disrupting the GOP Establishment”
Macro perspective: The startup party is far from over!
December 2, 2015
Hang around venture capitalists in Silicon Valley and a clear sense of fear pervades the air. The main … Continue reading “Macro perspective: The startup party is far from over!”
Asset prices are more sensitive to very low interest rates than most suspect
May 26, 2015
Global interest rates are now at historical lows. Conversely we are seeing record prices for asset prices be … Continue reading “Asset prices are more sensitive to very low interest rates than most suspect”
How Technology Could Help Fight Income Inequality
December 11, 2014
I have had the pleasure of meeting professor Tyler Cowen a few times and always left my meetings … Continue reading “How Technology Could Help Fight Income Inequality”
LeWeb 2013 Interview of Arnaud Montebourg
December 13, 2013
Loic Lemeur asked Jeff Clavier and me to react to Arnaud Montebourg’s presentation at LeWeb and ask him … Continue reading “LeWeb 2013 Interview of Arnaud Montebourg”
No Limits to Growth
September 4, 2013
Over the course of the last few years I resolved the cognitive dissonance between my short term pessimism … Continue reading “No Limits to Growth”
Great speech on the five trends reshaping the global economy
May 21, 2013
Dominic Barton, the managing director of McKinsey, recently gave an insightful speech at Stanford Business School. I encourage … Continue reading “Great speech on the five trends reshaping the global economy”
The Economy: An Optimistic Thought Experiment
July 13, 2012
Over the past few years the economist in me has been profoundly pessimistic about the short and medium … Continue reading “The Economy: An Optimistic Thought Experiment”
Is the Euro zone crisis by design?
March 15, 2012
A few months ago, I started writing an analysis of our global economic situation that I wanted to … Continue reading “Is the Euro zone crisis by design?”
Must read article on America’s 21st century collapse!
October 20, 2011
I just came across this very well thought through article on everything that could go wrong for the … Continue reading “Must read article on America’s 21st century collapse!”
The Ultimate Startup: Creating a New Country
August 23, 2011
My good friend Auren Hoffman posited that existing nation states would benefit from a little bit of creative … Continue reading “The Ultimate Startup: Creating a New Country”
Just How Bad is Bad?
August 14, 2011
Great interview of Nouriel Roubini and Ian Bremmer in Foreign Policy. Read it at: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/08/05/just_how_bad_is_bad
Cameron Rules, Sarkozy Sucks!
June 9, 2011
Over the last two weeks I had the pleasure of attending the eG8 Summit in Paris at the … Continue reading “Cameron Rules, Sarkozy Sucks!”
Why India is behind China!
June 7, 2011
I recently wrote how the world is less globalized than we suspect it is and how we now … Continue reading “Why India is behind China!”

How to minimize human misery in recessions or the macroeconomic implications to hedonic adaptation
May 16, 2011
How to minimize human misery in recessions or the macroeconomic implications to hedonic adaptation
May 16, 2011
As I was reading The Upside of Irrationality, Dan Ariely’s sequel to the brilliant Predictably Irrational, I … Continue reading “How to minimize human misery in recessions or the macroeconomic implications to hedonic adaptation”
Globalization is more fragile and less entrenched than you think!
April 29, 2011
I was shocked that the statistics I came across in a recent article in The Economist which presented … Continue reading “Globalization is more fragile and less entrenched than you think!”
Summit Series Speech: The Pessimistic Optimist
November 22, 2010
I posted a while back a written transcript of the speech. Stephen Meade recorded the speech and was … Continue reading “Summit Series Speech: The Pessimistic Optimist”
Summit Series Speech: The Pessimistic Optimist
May 17, 2010
I wanted to share with you something that has been on my mind lately as I have been … Continue reading “Summit Series Speech: The Pessimistic Optimist”
Mortgage modifications have done more harm than good
January 3, 2010
I argued in a prior post that the best way to deal with a deflating bubble was not … Continue reading “Mortgage modifications have done more harm than good”
Cognitive dissonance be damned: I am a pessimistic optimist!
October 21, 2009
Over the past few years I have often felt like Cassandra with my dire and pessimistic economic predictions. … Continue reading “Cognitive dissonance be damned: I am a pessimistic optimist!”
The Economy: The End of the Beginning…
July 7, 2009
… but probably not the beginning of the end! It is interesting to see the speed at which … Continue reading “The Economy: The End of the Beginning…”
Uwe Reinhardt is brilliant!
March 12, 2009
I had the pleasure of studying under Uwe Reinhardt at Princeton. He was by far the best teacher. … Continue reading “Uwe Reinhardt is brilliant!”
CEPS: George Soros on the crash of 2008
March 6, 2009
I had the pleasure of being invited to a dinner organized by the Princeton University Center for Economic … Continue reading “CEPS: George Soros on the crash of 2008”
Global industrial bail-outs: the Smoot-Hawley Tariffs of 2009?
January 26, 2009
The story of the Smoot-Hawley Tariffs should be a cautionary tale to present-day policymakers. The tariffs did not … Continue reading “Global industrial bail-outs: the Smoot-Hawley Tariffs of 2009?”
Whodunit?
October 11, 2008
As a society and as individuals we are loth to take responsibility for our actions. We much prefer … Continue reading “Whodunit?”
The Economy: The case for (relative) optimism
October 9, 2008
During the past few years, I often felt I was the sole economic pessimist. I urged my friends … Continue reading “The Economy: The case for (relative) optimism”
Jim Cramer's August 2007 outburst is a must watch!
September 23, 2008
I am not usually a fan of his style, but in this case, his outburst was justified and … Continue reading “Jim Cramer's August 2007 outburst is a must watch!”
All Hail the Fed: why to be skeptical about the priciest bailout ever
September 22, 2008
By Steven E Worst financial crisis since the Great Depression? Yes—but don’t be cowed by talk of calamity. … Continue reading “All Hail the Fed: why to be skeptical about the priciest bailout ever”
Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac: How we got here and what to do next
September 9, 2008
Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are privately owned and run government sponsored enterprises (GSEs). Fannie Mae was founded … Continue reading “Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac: How we got here and what to do next”
The US Economy: How bad will it get?
June 30, 2008
In the past few years, I have been extremely pessimistic about the US economy. I explained that most … Continue reading “The US Economy: How bad will it get?”
The Food Crisis: A Radical Rethink
June 25, 2008
By Stacie Rabinowitz I’ve been a bit perturbed lately reading about some of the responses to the global … Continue reading “The Food Crisis: A Radical Rethink”
Sarkozy: The First Year
May 9, 2008
The first time I got an insight into Sarkozy’s character was reading The Economist review of his literary … Continue reading “Sarkozy: The First Year”
The Prospects for Democracy in China
March 10, 2008
“Is China democratizing? The country’s leaders do not think of democracy as people in the West generally do, … Continue reading “The Prospects for Democracy in China”
China’s Business and Policy Evolution
March 6, 2008
On Tuesday evening, I had the pleasure of attending a seminar sponsored by McKinsey on China’s Business and … Continue reading “China’s Business and Policy Evolution”
Policy recommendation for the candidates
February 17, 2008
I am an economist by formation and at heart if not by trade and I am appalled by … Continue reading “Policy recommendation for the candidates”
The power of unintended consequences
February 6, 2008
The road to hell is paved with good intentions! In public policy above all else, I have often … Continue reading “The power of unintended consequences”
Rogue French trader Jerome Kerviel was forced to work 30 hours a week!
January 30, 2008
Friends of rogue trader Jerome Kerviel last night blamed his $7 billion losses on unbearable levels of stress … Continue reading “Rogue French trader Jerome Kerviel was forced to work 30 hours a week!”
An optimist’s perspective: the party system in the US works!
January 25, 2008
I had the pleasure of attending yet another one of Mark Gerson’s phenomenal Shabbos dinners two weeks ago … Continue reading “An optimist’s perspective: the party system in the US works!”
Shocking research on continental European economics teaching
January 8, 2008
A recent article in the Financial Times showed that French and German schoolbooks demonize enterprise. As the article … Continue reading “Shocking research on continental European economics teaching”
The End of Inequality
December 30, 2007
As I wrote in a recent article (Capitalism and Democracy), despite decreases in global inequality because of economic … Continue reading “The End of Inequality”
Einat Wilf, Danny Gillerman and Israel
November 14, 2007
I had the pleasure of listening to my good friend Einat Wilf (www.wilf.org) speak on the future of … Continue reading “Einat Wilf, Danny Gillerman and Israel”
Capitalism and Democracy
November 11, 2007
I recently came across an article entitled “How Capitalism is Killing Democracy” by Robert Reich. The article is … Continue reading “Capitalism and Democracy”
2008: Where do you stand relative to the candidates?
October 23, 2007
By answering the following 11 questions you see where you stand relative to the candidates: http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460 The results … Continue reading “2008: Where do you stand relative to the candidates?”
A Different Perspective on the Global Economy
October 20, 2007
Last February I blogged about how excess petrodollar liquidity was creating bubbles all around the world and how … Continue reading “A Different Perspective on the Global Economy”
Bloomberg for President
July 27, 2007
It occurred to me a year ago that Bloomberg would make a great president. He has been a … Continue reading “Bloomberg for President”
Read Tony Blair’s essay in The Economist
June 15, 2007
Tony Blair is probably the most gifted politician of his generation. He is smart, open minded and a … Continue reading “Read Tony Blair’s essay in The Economist”
Fear and uncertainty in the time of prosperity
May 24, 2007
By most measures these are the best of times. We live longer, healthier lives than ever before. Our … Continue reading “Fear and uncertainty in the time of prosperity”
Only in France!
May 2, 2007
I just came across a book written about a 45 year old Frenchman. He owns a large studio … Continue reading “Only in France!”
The French Presidential Election
April 22, 2007
Despite the fact that quality of life is actually very good in France, there is clearly a French … Continue reading “The French Presidential Election”
The Immigration Non-Issue
April 7, 2007
Regardless of where you stand on immigration, demographic shifts in Mexico will render the issue meaningless in the … Continue reading “The Immigration Non-Issue”
What’s going on in China: An introduction to macro-economics
February 28, 2007
Before I begin, let’s start with a few basic macro-economic foundations. A country can either control its interest … Continue reading “What’s going on in China: An introduction to macro-economics”

Macro Perspectives on Global Liquidity: How Chinese Farmers and Oil Sheiks are Subsidizing American Consumption and its Implications
February 23, 2007
Macro Perspectives on Global Liquidity: How Chinese Farmers and Oil Sheiks are Subsidizing American Consumption and its Implications
February 23, 2007
If you were an economist arriving from Mars and looked at capital flows around the world, you would … Continue reading “Macro Perspectives on Global Liquidity: How Chinese Farmers and Oil Sheiks are Subsidizing American Consumption and its Implications”
China sets up a carbon-credit exchange
February 21, 2007
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/feb2007/gb20070214_899890.htm?link_position=link1 A few days after I recommended we should create a carbon emissions market, China creates a carbon-credit … Continue reading “China sets up a carbon-credit exchange”
A different perspective on global warming
February 15, 2007
Global warming seems to be on the mind of many these days. There is no denying that the … Continue reading “A different perspective on global warming”
The Geo-Political Landscape: The Perspective of an Optimist
January 4, 2007
Turn the pages of any paper covering foreign policy and it is easy to become depressed about the … Continue reading “The Geo-Political Landscape: The Perspective of an Optimist”
France and the mirage of progess
December 10, 2006
I just arrived in Paris from Buenos Aires for LeWeb3 conference organized by Loic Lemeur. I was horrified … Continue reading “France and the mirage of progess”
Parkinson’s law is so true!
August 26, 2006
Parkinson’s Law states that “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” “Thus, an … Continue reading “Parkinson’s law is so true!”
Bad government policy, poverty and Kirchner’s folly!
July 13, 2006
According to an OECD report bad governance is the number 1 cause of poverty around the world – … Continue reading “Bad government policy, poverty and Kirchner’s folly!”
Funniest Ben Bernanke Fed watching video ever :)
April 25, 2006
Watch it fully! (Don’t get thrown off by the few seconds of George Bush at the beginning). Ben … Continue reading “Funniest Ben Bernanke Fed watching video ever :)”
Immigration and the lump of labor fallacy
April 17, 2006
I have been appalled recently by the low quality of the debate on immigration from politicians throughout the … Continue reading “Immigration and the lump of labor fallacy”
France or the Imaginary World :)
April 1, 2006
There is something highly ironic about seeing hundreds of thousands of students in France demonstrate against the CPE … Continue reading “France or the Imaginary World :)”