Posts

How Big Tech Firms have redefined the paradigms of economics!

Not a day passes by without using at least one product or application of the Big Tech companies.  These companies have redefined the long established principles of economics. 1. Networking Effects: Networking effects is the phenomenon where the value of a product increases due to the addition of every new customer/user. The effect of networking in tech industry implies that the company/product which is the 'early mover' has an advantage and the value of the network grows with every additional user. In 'network industries' the equilibrium tends towards a few products and their companies. Consider Microsoft, the predominant operating system of the world. Consumers want to stick to (Microsoft) technologies that are dominant and compatible with all the other users, software and hardware products. Once consumers get used to these applications or products they do not wish to change easily.  Similarly, with Facebook, any new user benefits due to the gigantic network of users a
Post a Comment
Read more

Big Governments are here to stay!

The much touted neo-liberal philosophies (private sector is given a free-hand with minimum regulation) of minimum government and maximum impact are increasingly being challenged in today's dynamic global landscape. Consider the following reasons: 1. Geo-political tensions: Due to the ever-growing geo-political tensions in the middle-east, Europe(Russia-Ukraine war) etc., defence capabilities and expenditure are taking center stage. The role played by a government's policies is shaping the global alliances and strategies, enhancing defence capabilities is perhaps more important now than any time in the history of the world. 2. Economic inequality and discontent: When the fruits of growth are limited to a privileged few, it is quite normal for the masses to feel discontented. The narratives of 'globalization and its benefits' are being replaced by the ideas of 'sons of soil' and protectionism. In such a situation, the role played by governments in redistribution o
Post a Comment
Read more

Notes from Daniel Kahneman 'Thinking Fast and Slow' Part 1

 Here are some notes from Daniel Kahneman's book 'Thinking Fast and Slow': 1. Contrary to the assumptions of economic models, human beings are not rational.  We often let our heuristics guide our conclusions rather than statistical facts.  2. You find a person with the qualities that are more representative of a librarian than a farmer and you conclude that he must be a librarian. Perhaps you are blind to the statistical fact that there are more number of farmers than librarians in this world. Our perceptions can make us blind to realities. 3. Many of our water cooler conversations at office are based on our own perceptions rather than realities. 4. Halo Effect - you are charmed by a beautiful woman and assume everything she says is correct. You associate one good quality with many other qualities which may not be valid. 5. Expert intuition works like sixth sense. It is your brain responding, perhaps subconsciously. It's like a child looking at a dog and recognizing it.
Post a Comment
Read more