Refreshing news coming from Singapore

Singapore is presenting a path to a new normal, in which Covid19 is not an exceptional pandemic, but a regular highly infectious disease. This paper provides a way through to the future - and will be an inspiration and a debatable theme in the months to come. We need our lives back.

All eyes are on the inflation rate

Two very good articles (in Portuguese) in Publico, about the inflation surge that is starting to creep in our economies:

- a very good interview with Ricardo Reis, a Portuguese economist;

- a status article on EU and US.

Brazil 2021

Brazil's main problem is not Bolsonaro. Nor Lula. Brazil's main problem is a society that positions itself to only choose between Bolsonaro or Lula. 

Tragic

 António Costa's beggar attitude, asking for the EU Commission funds for Covid19 recovery is symptomatic. This text from (in Portuguese) from João Miguel Tavares explain it terribly well. 

Five Lessons from History - Morgan Housel

 This is a great blog post about lessons from History - I recommend reading it.

The five key lessons, as Morgan Housel highlights them are:

- "People suffering from sudden, unexpected hardship are likely to adopt views they previously thought unthinkable";

- "Reversion to the mean occurs because people persuasive enough to make something grow don't have the kind of personalities that allow them to stop before pushing too far"

- "Unsustainable things can last longer than you anticipate"

- "Progress happens too slowly for people to notice; setbacks happen too fast for people to ignore"

- "Wounds heal, scars last"

Green belt and road

Great FT article on the new G7 initiative - the "green belt and road", to support environmental change (and one more thing).

On Meritocracy

This is a very relevant blogpost about an upcoming book. It debates the idea that meritocracy is at the heart of prosperity and economic growth - even more than democracy. It also leaves a few cautionary notes to the Western world. A really good read.

Portuguese Digital Era Human Rights Charter

A good read (in Portuguese) about the Portuguese Digital Era Human Rights Charter and the dangers it entails.

There it comes

 With the pandemic, huge amounts of cash have been (are being) printed. A necessary tool to help fight recession, keep jobs and the economy afloat. But there it comes the price to pay - inflation has not been so high since 2008. 3.3% em Abril, nos países da OCDE.

EU tax benefit

Is there a study showing what is the benefit of an euro paid in tax in the European Union? Meaning... what is the benefit it creates socially and economically vs the benefit of staying in the taxpayers' pockets?