The contribution of big groups to US productivity has fallen by 40 per cent since 2000

There are gaps in the way we gather statistics that have far-reaching effects

Moaning about the deficiencies of measurement will not help us focus on what matters

When computers start conspiring against us, regulators will have to be nimble

Many of the decisions we make are reversible, only stubbornness makes them permanent

It goes without saying that hyperinflation is a catastrophe but it is now uncommon

Attempts to raise revenue must include the comfortably off as well as the ultra-wealthy

We should ask questions before we spread an idea on social media or use it to govern our votes

Sometimes the idea of changing tack becomes literally unthinkable

Elected politicians are threatening harm to their own country as a bargaining tactic

The phrase has long since ceased to be useful but is deployed as a political cudgel

Writing thank-you notes is not only good manners but can be good for you, too

Keep the spending under control and invent your own social rituals

Political attacks on the Fed, BoE and RBI are a childish abdication of responsibility

Most ideas used to be shut down early, but digitisation allows many to survive

Research shows high earners think there are not enough hours in the day

To make predictions, keep an open mind and understand what you don’t know

Democracies provide the chance to step back and consider the direction being taken

People thrive in imperfect environments that can be moulded

Research shows young people suffer lasting harm if they graduate during a recession

The rules for delivering a successful megaproject are devastatingly simple

Since markets rise more often than they fall, spending lump sums proves a better bet

Economic growth does not have to destroy the planet

Abuse of big data is the latest example of companies’ success in duping customers

Statistics help answer almost all questions — if we take time to understand them