Global Geopolitical Risks: Is Wall Street Hypersensitive and Reductionistic?

The Dow dropped 140 points in August 5, 2014 on a rumor that the Russian military is about to invade eastern Ukraine. Three days later, amid hints of de-escalation and the end of troop “exercises” on the Ukraine border, the Dow gained 186 points. Three days later, as Russia’s president approves a deal wherein the Russian OAO Rosneft and the American ExxonMobil can begin drilling a $700 million well in the Arctic Ocean, the Dow gains 16 points.[1] Are stock analysts and Wall Street investors really so hypersensitive to day-to-day changes in geopolitical risk? It may be simply that such news sells.

The entire essay is at “Global Geopolitical Risks”

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[1] All quotes are from Adam Shell, “If Russia Sneezes, Wall St. Gets a Cold,” USA Today, August 12, 2014.

Robin Williams: Comedic Creativity and Dramatic Depth from Severe Depression?

Can creativity and emotional depth and sensitivity in writing and acting emanate out of severe depression? If so, have many of the best writers and actors been plagued by the disease? How might this silver lining be explained? The implications may be odd. Would a cure for the disease result in less creative and intense performance art? 

See "Comedic Creativity and Dramatic Depth"