Moaners on the money
New Zealand Listener|September 23-29 2023
Unlike most pathological pessimists, Winnie-the-Pooh's friend Eeyore was endearing in his gloom, but it's beginning to seem as though the depressive donkey's philosophy is the most adaptive to cultivate these days.
Jane Clifton
Moaners on the money

However terrific something might seem, there's always a dispiriting flip side. Just ask the Swedes, who were so excited to have Beyoncé perform earlier this year that their exuberance fuelled a significant increase in inflation. The joyful activity of attending a pop concert turns out to be fiscally damaging - on a continuum with war, a pandemic or sharemarket plunge.

Central bankers are still so preoccupied with the Beyoncé liquidity effect, given persistent post-Covid inflation, that you can't rule out the World Bank warning governments against issuing further visas to the performer.

Eeyores will accordingly greet the Rolling Stones' generally rapturously received - new songs with dismay. Will Mick'n'Keef also be so socially irresponsible as to tour, prolonging the cost-of-living crisis in the developed world? Shouldn't these inflationary pop stars stay home tinkering with train sets and fixing potholes like Rod Stewart?

Denne historien er fra September 23-29 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra September 23-29 2023-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA NEW ZEALAND LISTENERSe alt
First-world problem
New Zealand Listener

First-world problem

Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Applying intelligence to AI
New Zealand Listener

Applying intelligence to AI

I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Nazism rears its head
New Zealand Listener

Nazism rears its head

Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Staying ahead of the game
New Zealand Listener

Staying ahead of the game

Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Grasping the nettle
New Zealand Listener

Grasping the nettle

Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Hangry? Eat breakfast
New Zealand Listener

Hangry? Eat breakfast

People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Chemical reaction
New Zealand Listener

Chemical reaction

Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Me and my guitar
New Zealand Listener

Me and my guitar

Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 9, 2024
Time is on my side
New Zealand Listener

Time is on my side

Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?

time-read
7 mins  |
September 9, 2024
The kids are not alright
New Zealand Listener

The kids are not alright

Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 9, 2024