tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15644559.post3106228324750570969..comments2024-03-21T03:55:51.565-07:00Comments on Omniorthogonal: Big numbersmtravenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02356162954308418556noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15644559.post-27366511082096338372009-01-28T07:58:00.000-08:002009-01-28T07:58:00.000-08:00Weimar hyperinflated on purpose to screw the Allie...Weimar hyperinflated on purpose to screw the Allies. Zimbabwe hyperinflated out of corruption and incompetence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15644559.post-75428751804496576042009-01-26T15:35:00.000-08:002009-01-26T15:35:00.000-08:00Weimar Germany and Rhodesia/Zimbabwe had in common...Weimar Germany and Rhodesia/Zimbabwe had in common the removal of pre-existing authorities and a sudden introduction of universal-franchise democracy to peoples having little or no experience with self-government. <BR/><BR/>On the specific point of hyperinflation, however, in 1920s Germany, debasement of the currency was an understandable, if diastrous, consequence of the stringent Allied demands for the payment of war reparations. What is Mugabe's excuse?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15644559.post-48357794183116142222009-01-26T14:09:00.000-08:002009-01-26T14:09:00.000-08:00As I understand it, shop stores are usually empty,...As I understand it, shop stores are usually empty, and the few purchases still conducted are with rand or US dollars. As early as 2006 there were reports that barter was becoming important. The absurd hyperinflation of the native currency is primarily of academic interest, it having long since exceeded a meaningful level.<BR/><BR/>As for Mugabe, the world should have known he was a thug <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gukurahundi" REL="nofollow">in 1988</A>. Pundits are free to debate whether this remarkable oversight occurred because the man was once a media darling or because nobody actually gives a damn about Africa.Neutrino Cannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11975378867727506317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15644559.post-37875550599207408692009-01-26T11:35:00.000-08:002009-01-26T11:35:00.000-08:00I don't think I ever claimed they hadn't, though I...I don't think I ever claimed they hadn't, though I will say that the Weimar government looks quite good in comparison to Mugabe.TGGPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11017651009634767649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15644559.post-27794663322626917862009-01-26T01:00:00.001-08:002009-01-26T01:00:00.001-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.mtravenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356162954308418556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15644559.post-36293464778688666752009-01-26T01:00:00.000-08:002009-01-26T01:00:00.000-08:00You are probably drawing the wrong lessons then. I...You are probably drawing the wrong lessons then. <BR/><BR/>It's not like white-ruled countries have ever experienced evil rulers or <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperinflation" REL="nofollow">hyperinflation</A>.mtravenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02356162954308418556noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15644559.post-77626277864210740012009-01-25T21:22:00.000-08:002009-01-25T21:22:00.000-08:00Like Carter van Carter I've come to reflect on Zim...Like <A HREF="http://acrossdifficultcountry.blogspot.com/2009/01/once.html" REL="nofollow">Carter van Carter</A> I've come to reflect on Zimbabwe a lot when I hear certain ideas. At <A HREF="http://www.philipweiss.org/mondoweiss" REL="nofollow">Mondoweiss</A>, for instance, though I should be predisposed to be more receptive.TGGPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11017651009634767649noreply@blogger.com