Environmental Economics

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

From Ray's Weather Center:

A cold front moving through this morning will set the stage for an abrupt weather changes. Expect morning rain, but the sun will make an appearance this afternoon. Tonight, much colder air will overtake the region with a few snow flurries possible especially on mountaintops near the TN/NC line.

From The Carpenters:

Talkin' to myself and feelin' old
Sometimes I'd like to quit
Nothing ever seems to fit
Hangin' around
Nothing to do but frown
Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.

What I'm listening to today (not the March AER)

I received what I thought was my CD of the March 2008 The American Economic Review today. In the jewelcase, instead of the March AER, was the latest from Jonathan Meek and the Mutes: Irony and Pity*!

JMM is not really what I'm into musically, but I appreciate the American Economic Association (AEA) sending a music CD instead of the duplicative journal CD on top of the web version. In other words, why doesn't the AEA have an electronic-only journals membership version? I have access to the electronic versions of AER, JEL and JEP and also receive the CD versions.

I tend to toss the CDs almost immediately -- the excess waste may create a negative externality problem.  Is there some way to tax the AEA to try to get them to reduce their pollution to the optimal level. Or, could the AEA executive committee look into an electronic-only journal membership option? This seems to be an option for institutional subscribers [pdf] ...

*Hmmm. "Irony and Pity" Are they trying to tell me something?

What I'm listening to today

I recently received a remixed, remastered, reissued (or something like that) version of Jahamericana by JShogren with two bonus tracks ("remixed"? "remastered"? "reissued"? who does he think he is, Led Zeppelin?). Here is a review:

An album which for me is very honest and driving, in rhythm and attitude, essentially positive. It cheers you up without being silly. I find it cool, at times brilliant, fun and funny, a combination of serious and amusing. The guitarplaying is great, with lots of variation and personal touch, and so is the working on the songs. It is a good mixture between driving rhythm and more calm songs. ... Lars Eriksson

You can buy your own copy and be eligible for future reissues at CD Baby. For a preview check out Shogren's MySpace page.

My own top 10 albums of 2007

A lot of env-econ readers ask me*, what sort of music should I be listening to? In a way of an answer here are my top 10 albums of 2007.