Commentariat

FT Tim Harford

I recently got angry at a guy who stood me up on our first date, using his job as an excuse, much like my previous boyfriend. Am I punishing him for my ex’s behaviour?

When spending falls, some products do well and others do badly. The jobless save on ’small durables’, but once employed, replace their old socks, writes Tim Harford

Losing your job, especially in recession, is bad. Should my co-workers and I accept a reduction in salary if that’s what it takes to stay in work?

Extortion, trucking cartels, and the time and expense involved in securing permits and licences explain why the continent remains in economic isolation, writes Tim Harford

Tim Harford thinks in particular of Avinash Dixit, without whom Paul Krugman might have abandoned economics 30 years ago and so never formulated his new trade theory

Can you come up with a figure reflecting my master’s degree and experience?

Here are the chief investment lessons of the financial crisis for today’s young people: they should be buying more shares and running up debts to do so, says Tim Harford

The secret to my marriage is that there is no doubt about who wears the trousers

My sister and I use the same car. We don’t fill it up just for the other to get the benefit

Claiming that the stock market is efficient is by far the most sensible way for an investor to look at the world, writes Tim Harford

I briefly parked in his car bay and he called the wheel clampers, landing me with a fine

I briefly parked in his car bay and he called the wheel clampers, landing me with a fine

Trials aimed at understanding ‘neuroeconomics’ are hardly unlocking the deepest secrets of thought

Trials aimed at understanding ‘neuroeconomics’ are hardly unlocking the deepest secrets of thought

Blackmail is a difficult threat to make credible, since the victim has the counter-threat of a complaint to the police

In spite of his initial reservations, Tim Harford takes a dip in frigid waters and is rather pleased to find that the chill is manageable and the sun sparkles in the water

I would like to start work at 9am, but my laziness makes it impossible

Blackmail is a difficult threat to make credible, since the victim has the counter-threat of a complaint to the police

In spite of his initial reservations, Tim Harford takes a dip in frigid waters and is rather pleased to find that the chill is manageable and the sun sparkles in the water

I would like to start work at 9am, but my laziness makes it impossible

I would like to start work at 9am, but my laziness makes it impossible

Blackmail is a difficult threat to make credible, since the victim has the counter-threat of a complaint to the police

A long history and sharp public relations help in adding prestige. The winner must also beat an impressive field

I am somewhat interested but my concern is that I will spend too much time following the soap opera that is Wall Street

A long history and sharp public relations help in adding prestige. The winner must also beat an impressive field