Current Events

An ICO Advertised on My Blog Post About ICOs

Posted on January 15, 2018January 15, 2018 by Sam Kornstein in Current Events, Economics

After reading my previous post on crypto, a former colleague, Eric Holzhauer, sent me a picture of this ad on my site, to the right of my post about ICOs: A few immediate reactions: They have a marketing budget to advertise via Google Adwords to encourage people to “Join ICO” (i.e., buy the new crypto coin they are creating in the hope of using it to facilitate rental transactions)? That’s legal? Wait, really, that’s legal? I guess just because they’re doing it, doesn’t mean it’s legal. But they are a legitimate company, with $4M in VC funding previously raised, and over 200k properties on their site. And yet it all feels very deceiving. They can’t say invest in ICO, because

4 Thoughts on the Crypto “Bubble”

Posted on January 14, 2018January 15, 2018 by Sam Kornstein in Current Events, Economics, General, Markets

There’s been a lot of talk about whether Bitcoin, or crypto overall, is a bubble. Some say absolutely. Many suspect it’s likely, but argue that as with most bubbles, it’s difficult to know for sure. After all, the Economist called Bitcoin a bubble in 2011 when it was at $2.50 and again in 2013 when it was at $1,000. And Tyler Cowan used to think it was a bubble, but now isn’t so sure. I’ve had many fun discussions about this with friends and family, and have been increasingly reading and thinking about the topic. So I’d like to share a few thoughts. 1. The total market capitalization of all cryptocurrecnies is $740B – this is a bubble The market cap

We’ve Reached Peak Brewery

Posted on April 9, 2017April 10, 2017 by Sam Kornstein in Beer, Current Events

From WBUR last week, the number of US breweries has now passed the five thousand mark: The number of American breweries topped 5,000 for the first time last year, with craft beer makers accounting for 5,234 of 5,301 U.S. breweries, according to new figures from the Brewers Association. Just five years ago, there were only about 2,000 U.S. craft brewers, which the Brewers Association defines as small or independent beer makers. Last year alone, more than 800 opened for business. The history of American breweries is interesting. I did a small research project on the market in 2012 while in grad school, and the momentum that was just starting then has continued through today. The Brewers Association has a few well-made

Kangaroo Punches Drone Out of the Sky

Posted on December 22, 2014December 22, 2014 by Sam Kornstein in Current Events

From Popular Science:

2014 in Summary

Posted on December 17, 2014December 16, 2014 by Sam Kornstein in Current Events

From Vox, a well-made recap of 2014:

The Tallest Cow in the World

Posted on October 20, 2014October 20, 2014 by Sam Kornstein in Current Events, Nature

6ft, 4in, from Illinois. Nothing else to add:

Caution Falling Ice

Posted on December 29, 2013December 29, 2013 by Sam Kornstein in Boston/Cambridge, Current Events

My coworker just outside our office: Classic. Happy holidays.

Thoughtful Context on North Korea

Posted on December 15, 2013December 15, 2013 by Sam Kornstein in Current Events

A thoughtful and concise article in the LA Times lays out some interesting context surrounding North Korea’s recent executions, and why this start (or continuation) of a “youthful revolution” may very well lead to substantially more instability and uncertainty. A few excerpts: “At 30, Kim Jong Un may well be the world’s youngest head of state. His brother, Kim Jong Chul, two years older, is best known as an avid Eric Clapton fan but is also said to keep an eye on the leader’s security.” “‘He couldn’t be a boss with subordinates who are twice his age, who don’t understand him and don’t take him seriously.’ Kim’s tactics in some ways are reminiscent of China’s Cultural Revolution, launched by Mao Tse-tung in

Iceland’s First Armed Police Incident

Posted on December 3, 2013December 3, 2013 by Sam Kornstein in Current Events

I saw this this morning. While it’s unfortunate, the fact that Icelandic police have never used lethal force in any operation until yesterday says a lot about the country. From the BBC: Icelandic police have shot dead a man who was firing a shotgun in his apartment in the early hours of Monday. It is the first time someone has been killed in an armed police operation in Iceland, officials say. Tear gas canisters were fired through the windows in an attempt to subdue the 59-year-old, who lived in the east of the capital, Reykjavik. When this failed he was shot after firing at police entering the building. Between 15 and 20 officers took part… The incident was “without precedent” in Iceland,

Southie Development Time Lapse

Posted on November 8, 2013November 8, 2013 by Sam Kornstein in Boston/Cambridge, Current Events

I have three good friends who all live in this building, a few blocks up the street from my place. A year ago it was in pretty rough shape, likely abandoned and condemned. This time lapse below, covering the gutting and development of the building, is pretty great. Especially since my friends get to have a professional video of their homes being built. It seems like every fifth lot in the neighborhood is undergoing something similar.