Early links this week, because I am spending the week at Ashridge House for two RenPhil events.
First, we’re kicking off the UK cohort of the Big if True Science Accelerator; then we’re launching what I’ve spent the last eight months working on, the RenPhil Horizon Scanning Study Group. We’re assembling cross-disciplinary scientific experts to scan the scientific horizon, and working to pinpoint the most consequential research domains. More from me soon on the methodology.
Anyway!
The poorer the country, the less redistributive the tax system is.
44% of sitting Indian MPs face criminal charges. In some states, it’s over 50%. (ht Arjun Ramani)
46% of national censuses undercount because enumerators don’t want to go find another form to list everyone in large households. In poor countries, this leads to undercounting the population by ~0.5%.
People choose partners who have the same psychiatric disorders they have.
The US supermarket Smart and Final was named for its founders - Mr. Smart and Mr. Final. (ht Rosie Campbell)
The president of Argentina has five (identical) cloned dogs. He believes he and the original dog met in a past life, when they were a lion and a gladiator at the Colosseum - but refused to fight. He now consults with one of the dogs on economic policy.
If they are clones why does he only consult one of them on economic policy?