yazadjal.com

There’s a lot of talk about an early warning system after the tsunami. Jayaprakash Narayan tells us out that the key point is not the information, but how that information is disseminated.
It is the height of insensitivity and complete failure of imagination to say that even if the authorities knew, they could not have alerted […]

With only one PJ cracked throughout our bloggers meeting yesterday, I feel I must make amends. The letters page of the latest Economist comes in handy. Scroll right to the end.

The cartel is pretty good at sniffing out fellow libertarian bloggers. Our latest find is the “supernova” in the blog world today — Amit Varma. The man actually maintains 3 blogs — India Uncut, The Middle Stage and 23 yards; plus he hopes to start a fourth on cows!
Ravikiran, Gaurav and I met up […]

The week has been cruel to Nilesh (and we have been insensitive). We have possibly our first ever flop mela. I feel, at least in part, responsible. Nilesh had only one nomination for the mela! After all his enthusiasm to host (despite delays caused largely by me), this was not the result any one would […]

Since we’re arguing about the virtues of free markets in many blogs, these research papers may be of interest.
The privatization of water services reduces child mortality
Is Trade good for the environment? (short version, long version)

Don Boudreaux responds to my post yesterday by pointing out that the high prices of goods following the tsunami is not a second disaster, but simply part of the original disaster. He also recalls a conversation with a student who disagreed with him and shows how these price increases are not incompatible with charity […]

Ravikiran has a superb demolition of the Government of India’s Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) law. It reminds me of a mini debate I had recently with friends on whether or not government should enforce or regulate zoning. My view is that the government should be out of it completely except (maybe) for enforcing property rights […]

Swaminathan Aiyar’s excellent

Ladies and gentlemen, we are pleased to announce that AnarCapLib has been nominated at the IndiBloggies for Best Topical IndiBlog. This is both a happy and sad moment for me. Happy because I’ve contributed a bit to this site and it’s been nominated. So in a way, I feel as if I have been nominated […]

Many friends look upon economic freedom as some luxury. “India needs social infrastructure more. Luxuries later”. Unfortunately, they do not know what economic freedom really means. David Boaz reminds us
We must not forget the real importance of economic freedom. Besides the value of freedom itself, economic freedom leads to economic growth. And growth is not […]

Radley Balko contrasts a “caring” capitalist with a “greedy” capitalist and comes up with a conclusion that may shock you. He’s titled his piece Altruism? Bah, Humbug, so that might give you an idea. So would this excerpt.
A corporation’s only duty is to its shareholders. Corporations must abide by the law, of course. But a […]

Christopher Lingle has an interesting article on Globalization and ‘Contract Culture’
Globalization should not be confused with Westernization or Americanization of economies and cultures. Perhaps this muddled thinking arises from an observed sense of convergence towards certain norms or rules that are associated with Western cultures, especially concerning commercial considerations. Promoting this misconception adds to an […]

I expected to see Yazad featured in this photo exhibition on Contemporary Parsi life. :-)
Click on the gallery and then on each pic.

The first blog mela for the year is up at MadMan’s Web. The main focus simply chose itself. This is the first time that entire blogs have been nominated. Go on and read thru to get a feel of what’s really happening on the ground. I find the blog coverage much more in […]

I’m currently reading Malcolm Gladwell’s Tipping Point and along comes a brief post on Marginal Revolution with a profile of Malcolm Gladwell. The book is on “social epidemics” and is fascinating read (await the review folks!)

and the season to greet and be greeted. Well not for everybody. Scrooge McGrumpy isn’t terribly jubilant.
Listen pal, just because the earth completed one revolution around the sun doesn’t magically change anything in your life. Some of us will do well, most will have their share of ups and downs, and some will screw themselves. […]