This weekend I posted a video of a "whiteboard" talk by Paddy Hirsch of Marketplace, in which he explains CDOs and the credit crisis. Here's another one where he explains Credit Default Swaps (CDS) using the analogy of an arctic expedition.
Since I'm teaching Fixed Income next year, I'm sure some of these will make their way into my class.
videos etiketine sahip kayıtlar gösteriliyor. Tüm kayıtları göster
videos etiketine sahip kayıtlar gösteriliyor. Tüm kayıtları göster
1 Aralık 2008 Pazartesi
29 Kasım 2008 Cumartesi
One of The Best Explanations of the Credit Crisis I've Ever Seen
Every once in a while you come across an explanation that makes you realize that just really aren't all that good a teacher. Here's another one to add to the pile. In this video, Marketplace Senior Editor Paddy Hirsch gives one of the best explanations of CDOs and how they contributed to the current credit market woes that I've yet seen:
He's also got some other videos up on YouTube that I'll post in the next couple of weeks.
He's also got some other videos up on YouTube that I'll post in the next couple of weeks.
24 Kasım 2008 Pazartesi
All The Monty Python You Could Ever Want
At this point in the semester, we're all tired, frustrated, and looking towards the end of the term. So things that make us laugh become even more important. Luckily, there's now a Monty Python YouTube Channel. Here's the announcement from the MP boys themselves:
HT: Barry Ritholtz.
For the lawyers, here's the disclaimer:For 3 years you YouTubers have been ripping us off, taking tens of thousands of our videos and putting them on YouTube. Now the tables are turned. It's time for us to take matters into our own hands.
We know who you are, we know where you live and we could come after you in ways too horrible to tell. But being the extraordinarily nice chaps we are, we've figured a better way to get our own back: We've launched our own Monty Python channel on YouTube.
No more of those crap quality videos you've been posting. We're giving you the real thing - HQ videos delivered straight from our vault.
What's more, we're taking our most viewed clips and uploading brand new HQ versions. And what's even more, we're letting you see absolutely everything for free. So there!
But we want something in return.
None of your driveling, mindless comments. Instead, we want you to click on the links, buy our movies & TV shows and soften our pain and disgust at being ripped off all these years.
Website: http://pythonline.com
Warning- clicking on the link can result in hours of time wasted, a skewed perspective on life, and adoption of British accents.Now go and enjoy.
HT: Barry Ritholtz.
6 Kasım 2008 Perşembe
Post Election Analysis From South Park
Compliments of South Park. Hey - I suspected it was an insidious plot of some kind all along.
Caution - may not be safe for work, unless you can close your office door and turn the audio WAY down.
Caution - may not be safe for work, unless you can close your office door and turn the audio WAY down.
7 Ekim 2008 Salı
Snl Bailout Skit
Here's a great spoof piece from Saturday Night Live. No one escapes getting tweaked here - Pelosi, Frank, Soros, Flippers, Liars (sometimes they're the same people), or Bush.
SNP subsequently pulled the piece, but someone saved a copy here.
SNP subsequently pulled the piece, but someone saved a copy here.
25 Ağustos 2008 Pazartesi
Obama Gets RickRolled
I try to avoid politics on this blog, because it brings out the moonbats at both ends of the political spectrum. But this was pretty clever.
I wondered if someone could do a similar one for McCain, but I don't think he's got the moves...
HT: Ace of Spades
I wondered if someone could do a similar one for McCain, but I don't think he's got the moves...
HT: Ace of Spades
21 Ağustos 2008 Perşembe
Rocky Balboa and The CFA
I came across analystforum while studying for the Level 1 exam of the CFA. It's a fantastic resource - they have forums for all 3 level, people who pass the various levels continue to post in the forums long after they've passed. If you're taking the exams, sign up - it's free, and worth it's weight in gold.
Results for the CFA exams were just announced, and a number of people who seemed to be locks for passing ended up failing. For others, it was not the first time failing at the exam (I've heard that the average time to completion is 5 years, which means most people that complete the people fail 2+ exams along the way).
In any event, people on the forum were consoling and encouraging those who failed, and one of them linked to a bit of dialog on the movie Rocky Balboa (one of my all-time favorite pictures). It may be the best talk I've ever heard a father give his son:
Of course, it's much better with a South Philly accent.
Results for the CFA exams were just announced, and a number of people who seemed to be locks for passing ended up failing. For others, it was not the first time failing at the exam (I've heard that the average time to completion is 5 years, which means most people that complete the people fail 2+ exams along the way).
In any event, people on the forum were consoling and encouraging those who failed, and one of them linked to a bit of dialog on the movie Rocky Balboa (one of my all-time favorite pictures). It may be the best talk I've ever heard a father give his son:
"Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are. It will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life.
But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep movin forward. It's about how much you can take and keep movin forward.
That's how winning is done.
Now if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits and not be pointing fingers and saying 'it's because of him, or her, or anybody'. Cowards do that, and that ain't you. You're better than that. "
25 Temmuz 2008 Cuma
Dan Ariely - Predictably Irrational At Google Authors
Here's a video of Dan Ariely (author of "Predictably Irrational") in his recent talk for the Google Authors program. Ariely has written a fascinating book about some of the cognitive and behavioral biases that most of us exhibit. If you listen carefully, you'll find that he even gives a hint about how to increase your student evaluations.
22 Temmuz 2008 Salı
Your Daily Dose of Patriotism
I'm a big Muppets fan, so I thought this was hilarious. My favorite part is around 1:12 (I always had a soft spot for Animal...).
HT: Neal Boortz
HT: Neal Boortz
17 Temmuz 2008 Perşembe
I Didn't Know Godzilla Managed A Private Equity Fund
You're gotta love an ad that uses old Godzilla footage to slam PE firms - if just for the sheer shlock factor (say that three times fast...).
I was curious about the McCain reference in the video (it seemed to come out of nowhere). Then I checked and found out that the ad was paid for by the Service Employees International Union. Like most other unions, they're big Obama supporters. In fact, they were just mentioned in Wednesday's Wall Street Journal (unfortunately, I can't find a link to the piece just yet).
It's a pretty interesting mishmash of messages with a populist slant. It starts off with the obligatory gas pump picture (the economy is hard, and it's the fault of the eeeeeevil buyout firms) , and then shifts to say that there's a group of people who make millions and slash jobs. And worse yet, /sarcasm on/ they get tax breaks for doing it! /sarcasm off/
So, I guess the message to take from this is that gas prices are high, the economy is tanking, and it's all the fault of buyout firms with tax breaks.
But at least it was educational - I didn't realize John McCain and people at PE firms could breathe fire. That alone would be enough to get them my vote (if just for the coolness factor). Hey - if the Presidential campaign doesn't work out and McCain gets tired of the Senate, he could get a job in commercials.
I was curious about the McCain reference in the video (it seemed to come out of nowhere). Then I checked and found out that the ad was paid for by the Service Employees International Union. Like most other unions, they're big Obama supporters. In fact, they were just mentioned in Wednesday's Wall Street Journal (unfortunately, I can't find a link to the piece just yet).
It's a pretty interesting mishmash of messages with a populist slant. It starts off with the obligatory gas pump picture (the economy is hard, and it's the fault of the eeeeeevil buyout firms) , and then shifts to say that there's a group of people who make millions and slash jobs. And worse yet, /sarcasm on/ they get tax breaks for doing it! /sarcasm off/
So, I guess the message to take from this is that gas prices are high, the economy is tanking, and it's all the fault of buyout firms with tax breaks.
But at least it was educational - I didn't realize John McCain and people at PE firms could breathe fire. That alone would be enough to get them my vote (if just for the coolness factor). Hey - if the Presidential campaign doesn't work out and McCain gets tired of the Senate, he could get a job in commercials.
23 Haziran 2008 Pazartesi
RIP George Carlin
George Carlin went into St. John's Health Center on Sunday afternoon, complaining of chest pain. He died at 5:55 p.m. PT.
Carlin was one of the icons of my generation. He constantly pushed the edge, and his routines contained some of the best social commentary around. While one of his pithier ones, his best known routine is Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television
(caution: definitely not safe for work), which my classmates had memorized shortly after it came out.
However, if you want more Carlin, there are a lot of other routines linked to the YouTube piece.
Carlin was one of the icons of my generation. He constantly pushed the edge, and his routines contained some of the best social commentary around. While one of his pithier ones, his best known routine is Seven Words You Can Never Say On Television
(caution: definitely not safe for work), which my classmates had memorized shortly after it came out.
However, if you want more Carlin, there are a lot of other routines linked to the YouTube piece.
20 Haziran 2008 Cuma
16 Haziran 2008 Pazartesi
Coffee
My kids already know "When Daddy doesn't have coffee, he gets GRUMPY"
more graph humor and song chart memes
And just in case you don't refill the pot, watch the first 30 seconds of this:
"You kill the jo, you make some mo. You know that, baby!"
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more graph humor and song chart memes
And just in case you don't refill the pot, watch the first 30 seconds of this:
"You kill the jo, you make some mo. You know that, baby!"
Note:If you want to receive updates, either sign up for email updates on the right sidebar, or add our RSS feed to your feed reader.
31 Mayıs 2008 Cumartesi
Harvey Korman Dies at 81
I just found out that Harvey Korman passed away on Thursday. He was one of the giants of comedy in the 60s and 70s. I still remember many of his skits from the old Carol Burnett show. In particular, I loved how Korman and Tim Conway would play off each other. Here's one of my favorite pieces where Conway plays a novice dentist and ends up injecting himself in the hand and leg with Novocaine. Korman tries his best to play it straight, but eventually can's help himself and starts cracking up.
Rest in peace, Mr. Korman - you made many of us laugh so hard we cried.
"I'm so glad we had this time together
Just to have a laugh and sing a song
Seems we just got started and before you know it
Comes the time we have to say, 'So long"
Rest in peace, Mr. Korman - you made many of us laugh so hard we cried.
"I'm so glad we had this time together
Just to have a laugh and sing a song
Seems we just got started and before you know it
Comes the time we have to say, 'So long"
27 Mayıs 2008 Salı
Rube Goldberg Videos
Here's a video with some pretty elaborate setups. They seems like just the kind of thing I'd have really gotten into when I was a kid.
HT: The Volokh Conspiracy
HT: The Volokh Conspiracy
19 Mayıs 2008 Pazartesi
Construction Worker Foreplay
This one's amazing - undressing a woman with construction equipment. And yes, it's relatively safe for viewing at work. That backhoe operator has some crazy skills.
Stripped by a Mechanical Shovel! - video powered by Metacafe
This is the sort of thing that would have ended up on the old Home Improvement series. Just do NOT let Tim the Toolman operate the equipment - it could get ugly.
Stripped by a Mechanical Shovel! - video powered by Metacafe
This is the sort of thing that would have ended up on the old Home Improvement series. Just do NOT let Tim the Toolman operate the equipment - it could get ugly.
14 Nisan 2008 Pazartesi
Five Good Commercials
Here are some pretty funny commercials from Ameriquest Mortgage (combined into one video)
HT: Some other blogger who I forgot to write down.
HT: Some other blogger who I forgot to write down.
20 Mart 2008 Perşembe
Some Time Wasting Resources
In case you're looking for a few new ways to kill some time (right - like we need more of those):
I spent most of yesterday editing a paper with my two colleagues. I like working this way - all three in a room (or in a conference call), arguing over each line, suggesting alternate phrasings, etc....
It's noisy and contentious, and takes time, a good self image, and an even better sense of humor (or we'd end up killing each other). But generally, if you can get three people to agree on something (or at least to not be vehemently against something), chances are, it won't suck.
Fancast has entire episodes of many tv shows available online - free. And yes, they have Firefly and Buffy.Now you can blame me for your lack of productivity.
Crooksandliars has compiled a list of the 100 best standup comedians of all time - with links to Youtube clips for many of them.
I spent most of yesterday editing a paper with my two colleagues. I like working this way - all three in a room (or in a conference call), arguing over each line, suggesting alternate phrasings, etc....
It's noisy and contentious, and takes time, a good self image, and an even better sense of humor (or we'd end up killing each other). But generally, if you can get three people to agree on something (or at least to not be vehemently against something), chances are, it won't suck.
10 Mart 2008 Pazartesi
Childhood Cancer Awareness Video
Regular readers of this blog are aware of the Unknown Son's continuing treatment for cancer. While I try not to post about his illness and treatment too much, I do talk about it (and related topics) from time to time.
Here's a great video someone put together for National Cancer Awareness Month (it's actually September). My sister lost her oldest son recently to the same cancer that Unknown Son originally had (neuroblastoma), and she linked to it on her site
If it touches you, consider making a contribution. There are are many good groups that are supporting research on childhood cancer. One of the best is Curesearch, which is associated with the Childrens Oncology Group and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation.
Here's a great video someone put together for National Cancer Awareness Month (it's actually September). My sister lost her oldest son recently to the same cancer that Unknown Son originally had (neuroblastoma), and she linked to it on her site
If it touches you, consider making a contribution. There are are many good groups that are supporting research on childhood cancer. One of the best is Curesearch, which is associated with the Childrens Oncology Group and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation.
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