Comments on: Our review of the kreppa books and reviews

By: Alexander E.

Alexander E. — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:36:51 +0000

Alexander E. – I liked your Videy photo; if you increase the contrast, the breaking waves may really pop out…

Sorry, James, but this is what a fair reporting is about – to show things as they are
And the were really that gray. And it was really tricky to make photos – unless you drive a tank. The car was bouncing like a boat under the wind and there were no chances to get out without the risk of seeing you your camera flying away.

Alexander, keep posting those pics!

My pleasure

By: Michael Lewis

Michael Lewis — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 15:34:20 +0000

It wouldn’t surprise me if some sort of re-negotiation post the UK election takes place. I think most of us in the UK know what Gordon Brown is (I never voted for him btw) : he’s a desperate man. We’re printing money the sole aim is to try and win Labour more votes. That said, the comments about de-regulation causing the banking crisis (in linked article) are simply wrong. The problem was the regulators rather then regulation. We need re-regulation in banking not more regulation. Now every left wing crackpot is blaming hedge funds (they didn’t cause the problem), and you know you are in trouble when someone suggests the EU as a solution . In short the Labour government acted in its own self interest. Thankfully I think they’ll be gone soon and some sort of re-negotiation will take place and I can plan my trout fishing holiday for next June and not have to hide the fact I’m from the UK

By: elín

elín — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:16:20 +0000

In addition to all of the media reviews of last year’s events, I am seeing another deluge of travel features touting Iceland as a travel bargain. The focus in these articles is the same over and over again (Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, Elves and Rúnturs), but I am also reading that Iceland had a record-breaking summer in tourism this year. So whatever helps, I guess.

By: PeterRRRRRR

PeterRRRRRR — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:34:16 +0000

Doesn’t seem that either of these books are being “gobbled” up by us overseas readers either. “Why Iceland” hasn’t gotten a single customer review on Amazon.com, and “Frozen Assets” hasn’t yet been released here in the US.

By: alda

alda — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 11:05:14 +0000

Thanks all – and Alexander, keep posting those pics!

Peter – whelll, to that I would have to say that I should perhaps just revise my title, because this isn’t really a review of the books, but rather a post about the public response here in Iceland to those books. I guess that’s what you get for trying to come up with a title on the run. – As for your second point – thanks!

By: James

James — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:53:24 +0000

Ahhh, gondolas. Reminds me I need another holiday.

Silvia – Physics PhDs led to atomic bombs and economics PhDs led to financial collapses! It’s such a waste that so many numerate PhDs are in banks worldwide focussing on financial arms races with each other, rather than doing something genuinely productive with their minds.

Alexander E. – I liked your Videy photo; if you increase the contrast, the breaking waves may really pop out…

By: PeterRRRRRR

PeterRRRRRR — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:51:21 +0000

I’d say it is somewhat unfair of you to review either of these books w/o actually having read them. While I haven’t read either of them either, it seems to me that there are really two parts of the kreppa story — there’s the “numbers” side, the technical, macro-economic story, of what was going on in financial markets, statistics, and so forth. From the NY Times review I saw (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/business/16shelf.html), this seems to be the bulk of Ásgeir Jónsson’s book (which is why I haven’t read it myself). Then there’s the “human” story, of who did what and when, the natural, human desire to find blame, the story of Good vs Bad. I suspect most Icelanders (and others) are more interested in the later. But that’s a much harder book to research and write, something not to be expected from a PhD economist.

On a totally different topic, congrats on becoming a Step-Grannie. As a recent Step-Grandpa, it is really a great thing. Among other things, you now get the honor (?) of sleeping with someone who is actually someone’s Grandfather

By: buc

buc — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:54:28 +0000

@silvia planchett….really? maybe we need more from real universities. from people who acquired the job on credentials. to handle things….come on. sorry you made the wrong choice.

By: maría

maría — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:52:03 +0000

I just got Why Iceland? in the mail. I’m in Spain, so I guess I fall into the “overseas readers hungry..”.
And funnily enough, my best friend, who’s a foreigner in Iceland and who was laid off in March, has just been hired, after six months on the dole… by Kaupþing! The same people who in turn had sacked his now girlfriend exactly one year ago.
Life!

By: Alexander E.

Alexander E. — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:12:36 +0000

Some visuals of the storm in Reykjavik