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Arnold Kling explains, in a not-at-all complicated way, the important distinction between the complicated and the complex.  A slice:

Many complicated problems have been solved by human beings and by our powerful computing tools. But I think this creates the expectation that we can solve complex problems as well. By understanding the difference between complication and complexity, we can take a more realistic view.

My GMU Econ colleague Alex Tabarrok reflects on the bias, or not, in economic research.

Matt Ridley’s latest column is “on the rent-seeking crony-capitalists who stifle innovation.”

George Will writes with his usual deep wisdom about escalating U.S. involvement in Syria.

Also writing on Syria is Jim Bovard.  And also Trevor Thrall.

Richard Ebeling exposes the hubris of social engineers in the American past.

Megan McArdle reveals some unexpected similarities shared by partisans on the right with partisans on the left.

Stuart Anderson is dismayed by Trump’s ignorance, haughtiness, and heavy-handedness on trade.  A slice:

Unfortunately, Donald Trump is not well-versed in the economics of international trade. A Jimmy Kimmel show video with a second-grader explaining trade deficits is, by objective standards, much more accurate than Donald Trump’s tweets or statements on trade. Nor is he receiving good advice.

Caroline Baum wants Congress to rein in Trump’s powers over trade.  (I am not sure that I agree, although I might.  I’m hesitant to let Trump’s asinine trade moves prompt a change in trade-making rules from an arrangement that has worked reasonably well over the past several decades to one that might work worse over the long-run.  But I am not at all very confident that my worries are here justified.)

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