I can't seem to stay topical but this relates to last weeks discussion of macro economics. part of the point of the article the though is that by talking and thinking about deflation, means that it will actually occur. It was what set Japan back in the 90's and the Fed is worried that after fighting inflation for years that everything might turn around.

This is a cool youtube with a theory about why different nations and cultures have different values and a greater and lesser emphasis on planning and the future, which could explain why diplomacy always seems to damn hard

This isn't strictly politics but its funny and give a interesting take on national sentiments and diplomacy.