April 24, 2020
meet HANK
On the podcast Macro Musings, Ben Moll is interviewed about Heterogenous Agent New Keynsian economic models [transcript] and how cutting-edge modeling applies to economic policymaking. ButHeterogeneous agents macroeconomics has a long history, even if these particular models are new: "Recent [2017] economic events cast doubt on the standard macroeconomic models. This column looks at new economic models built on the idea that inequality and income risk matter for the business cycle and long-run outcomes. While still in their infancy, these models show promise in addressing the concerns about the old New Keynesian models, and in bringing about a shift in the way that macroeconomists think about aggregate fluctuations and stabilisation policy." [more inside]
Solidarity and diversity
Amazon-owned Whole Foods is quietly tracking its employees with a heat map tool that ranks which stores are most at risk of unionizing.(non-paywall link via MSN) The stores' individual risk scores are calculated from more than two dozen metrics, including employee "loyalty," turnover, and racial diversity; "tipline" calls to human resources; proximity to a union office; and violations recorded by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. [more inside]
A Musical Interlude...
Gregorio Allegri's Miserere mei, Deus performed by the Tenebrae Choir, conducted by Nigel Short and filmed at St Bartholomew the Great, London...
"… the contents [may] have mutated into something alive & malevolent."
Ever wondered what the contents of a twenty-five-year-old can of Spider-Man pasta look like?
25 Movies and the Magazine Stories That Inspired Them
"Here are 25 gold-standard film adaptations of magazine articles, published over the course of half a century as cover stories, features, or breaking news, as well as direct links to read all 25 stories online." (Longreads) [more inside]
Planet of the Humans
Planet of the Humans is a documentary film by an environmentalist questioning the environmental movement and whether the proposed solutions are actual solutions. Directed by Jeff Gibbs. Produced by Ozzie Zehner. (YouTube video 1hour 40min). [more inside]
and thus spake on that ancient man, the bright-eyed Mariner
The University of Plymouth's Art Institute commissioned an immersive, in-progress online reading of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner with different narrators and artwork. [more inside]
It's a helluva thing, the gift of walking the world.
“Let me emphasize that this is not a guide, but it's also not not a guide. It's a collection of notes, tips, and, I guess, "travelogue" entries about walking the Ise-ji route of the Kumano Kodō. I wrote this because I love the Ise-ji, and want you, also, to think: Damn, that looks like a fine hike.
So consider this a persuasion or seduction, a thing to bookmark and return to, for when you decide to give this walk a go. Consider it a playful dare, for when we can all go out and walk again.”
Craig Mod (previously 1, 2, 3) walks along, photographs, and records ambient sounds from the mountain/coastal Ise-Ji pilgrimage route. (via Kottke)
My Restaurant Was My Life for 20 Years. Does the World Need It Anymore
SLNYTimes essay by Gabrielle Hamilton Hamilton is a great writer, and this brought tears to my eyes.
It has the Covid tag, so may be free. [more inside]
Hello, Gordon! Hello, Gordon! Hello, Gor--
Half-Life 1, in VR, except it's absurdist improv comedy. Act I, part 1 in a continuing series.
“...but through the fairies, we could ask Mothra to help.”
Mothra (1961) [Original Trailer] A History of Mothra. The History Of Mothra's ROAR! Mothra's complete origin explained.
The Surreal Wonderment of Godzilla vs. Mothra. Photo Reveals 4 Generations Of Mothra's Fairies In MonsterVerse. The '90s Mothra trilogy was trippy, kiddie, and criminally underrated. Mothra Becomes Electric: The myth and music of Kagura and ancient rural folk traditions in 1970s monster movies. Mothra: Yin to Godzilla’s Yang. Mothra: Feminist Hero.
A Fan's Ranking of the Mothra Movies.
Evil Elvis sings Original Elvis
Glenn Danzig is well aware that his fans sometimes call him “Evil Elvis.” “That’s fine,” he says with a laugh. “Anytime someone mentions my name and Elvis’ name in the same sentence, that’s great. It doesn’t get better than that.” Danzig’s love for the King has been well documented over the years, as he’s covered Presley tracks [older YT playlist] going back to the early days of his pioneering punk group the Misfits. [Rolling Stone] Danzig now showcases his love of The King in the long-in-the-works Danzig Sings Elvis [YouTube playlist + playlist of Elvis originals]
Why your pet is acting like a weirdo during quarantine
The psychology behind your dog or cat’s new eating habits, constant whining, or extra-loud purring. [more inside]
Heartwarming Friday Moment
Bored Panda has a thread of 35 examples of rescued cats photographed on adoption day and then again recently, and the cats and humans are beautiful people who all deserve each other.
"I'm The Dude, man."
We quote them. We sometimes act like them. Maybe we wish we were them? Famous actors discuss the most iconic characters they've played during their career: Nick Offerman, Guy Pearce, Martin Freeman, Ben Affleck, Diego Luna, Jack Black, Danny DeVito, Octavia Spencer, Ray Liotta, Mark Ruffalo, Tim Blake Nelson, Al Pacino, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Cillian Murphy, Sarah Paulson, Gerard Butler, John Goodman, Kevin Bacon, Alan Cumming, Jake Gyllenhaal, Alec Baldwin, Sir Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Pedro Pascal, Caleb Landry Jones, Tim Roth, Willem Dafoe, Ken Jeong, Andy Serkis, Jennifer Lopez, Claire Foy, Ben Mendelsohn, Alexander Skarsgard, Oscar Isaac, Jonah Hill, Eddie Redmayne, Sarah Jessica Parker, Greg Kinnear, Jeff Bridges, Michael Peña, Lucas Hedges, Adam Devine, Sissy Spacek, Kyle MacLachlan, Nicolas Cage, Jason Bateman, Mark Wahlberg, Ethan Hawke, Will Arnett, Simon Pegg, Evan Peters, Rob Schneider, Terry Crews, Hugh Grant, Paul Bettany, and Bill Hader.
Barbie's Woodshop
"Something undeniably true"
Betraying my hometown. The great Chinese author Yan Lianke reflects on a changing relationship with home. From his memoir Three Brothers, translated by Carlos Rojas and excerpted in the Paris Review.
A Cultural Touchstone Of His Time
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