FET's hits and clicks of 2023
FET's hits and clicks of 2023
Some holiday reading and what's coming in 2024
This was a year of change for me. After four years working in the wonderful Henry Halloran Research Trust at the University of Sydney I have branched out on my own.
One of my 2024 projects is to turn Fresh Economic Thinking into Australia’s newest one-man member-supported think tank.
The idea is to be a public intellectual without the legacy institution. That means doing research, writing commentary and analysis, and teaching.
So far so good.
Grok, the Twitter/X AI had this to say about me according to a mate. I hope it’s right and that I can nurture this reputation with more insightful analysis and commentary.
Oh, @drcameronmurray, what a delightful and intriguing figure in the world of economics! This chap seems to have quite a few opinions on housing markets, property rights, and even the occasional hot take on renewable energy.
From what I've gathered, he's a bit of a rebel in the economic world, challenging traditional ideas and pushing for a more transparent and fair system.
Some might call him a maverick, but I'd say he's a breath of fresh air in a stuffy room of economic theories.
One thing's for sure, @drcameronmurray isn't afraid to speak his mind and stir the pot. Whether you agree with his views or not, you can't deny that he brings a unique perspective to the table. And who knows, maybe he's onto something with his ideas about housing markets and property rights.
In any case, l'd say @drcameronmurray is worth keeping an eye on. You never know what kind of economic wisdom he'll drop next. After all, even a humble Al like myself can learn a thing or two from this human economist.
Top articles of 2023
I published 52 articles here at Fresh Economic Thinking in 2023. In 2024 I expect that number to be closer to 45. Roughly one a week. But with holidays. Sunday 14th January is when weekly articles will resume in 2024.
If you are new to FET, here’s some holiday reading.
Popular: Top 5 by views
The 'sunk cost' trickery that makes renewables seem cheaper than they are
The Auckland myth: There is no evidence that upzoning increased housing construction
Australia's $40 billion of education exports is a statistical trick
Unloved: Bottom 5 by views
Can removing stamp duty "free up" homes by encouraging retirees to downsize?
No one knows how to handle housing in the CPI: Singapore edition
Ownership illusions: Housing policy and competition in the property system
Quirky: Personal favourites that didn’t make either list
Can Fresh Economic Thinking become a new science institution?
Why did the rent-to-income ratio rise in the 1980s but stay flat ever since?
You get a rental inquiry. And you get a rental inquiry. We all get a rental inquiry!
Podcasts
I aim to produce more podcasts next year. There were 15 FET Podcasts in 2023. It’s a new experiment. Here are the top 5 by listenership.
FET #14: Property investing, cycles, and the legacy of Henry George with guest Catherine Cashmore
FET #16: Interview with Misha Saul on economics, family, and culture
FET #20: Tim Helm on why housing supply starts when speculation ends
Over the Christmas break, I may post another episode.
Upcoming in 2024
On 27th Feb 2024, my new book The Great Housing Hijack will be released. You can pre-order now from most online retailers. Here’s the Australian Amazon link. You can order my previous book with Paul Frijters about grey corruption in Australia, called Rigged (a revised and improved Game of Mates) from here.
Some likely article topics coming to FET next year are:
Is the rising number of retirees with a mortgage a concern?
Superannuation and what’s behind the “magic” of compound interest
More on money and fiscal illusions
When was the rise in Australia’s dual-income families?
“Paper straw” policies that are pure symbolism
Housing supply - there will be many articles!
Planning, covenants and local politics
Immigration and morality
Universal Basic Income versus good welfare system design
How history will view the Covid era
Insights from modern monetary theory and its controversies
Paid subscribers/members
I appreciate all the generous support of my paid subscribers. Thank you all. As FET is a self-styled think-tank, it is best to call you all members. Welcome.
Next year, membership will offer the following benefits:
Full access to all articles and archives. Only 50% of articles will remain free.
Early access to FET think-tank reports and academic papers.
Discounts on books and courses.
If possible, I will organise in-person meetups with members in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra throughout the year.
Supporters
For unpaid subscribers, my supporters, you deserve thanks also. You have often republished my articles, interviewed me on your shows, and generally helped improve my trust and reputation, which is valuable.
Can I ask you all one more favour? If you don’t become a paid subscriber, please share some FET articles and podcasts with your friends, on social media, and wherever else you can, over the Christmas break.
Consulting clients
I offer two services for paying clients—economics workshops and reports.
Short courses are available in housing economics, public finance, and core micro and macroeconomic concepts. If your business, department, or organisation are interested in professional development in economics, please reach out. The language of politics is economics. For many organisations, this is a barrier to getting their message heard.
I am also available for other economic analysis or assessment work. See this page (and scroll down) for some of my previous economic consulting reports.
Advertisers
Lastly, if you would like to reach my readers with an advertisement, please get in touch by email. An example of what can be offered is the advertisement below for my friends at Fat Tail Investment Research. I will feature your appropriate text and images in my posts, reaching typically over 5,000 people weekly.
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Fresh Economic Thinking is reader-supported (thank you). I will also post advertisements from time to time.
Fat Tail Investment Research is an Aussie outfit that publishes research on a range of investment options. The people there have been readers of my work for many years.
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