This month I have taken part in founding a start-up abroad. There are four partners in the firm, two Icelanders and two Finns, one residing in the US. The idea came about in Iceland, but when it came to incorporating there were some serious issues we had to ponder. 1. Currency restrictions and worthless ISK. The business [...]

until the end of February…the investigation committee’s report… …now what?

Bjorgolfur Thor was handed Landsbankinn through privatization because he was supposed to have made a mint abroad and re-investing it in the Icelandic economy was seen as a positive move. Landsbankinn’s bankruptcy within six years then turned out to be one of the biggest in history. Not just in Iceland but anywhere. The bank’s IceSave legacy then [...]

According to Google Zeitgeist, Iceland was the third most searched word regarding economic issues in the year 2009. It’s the Economy crisis cash for clunkers iceland california recession obama unemployment rate green great depression inflation The full list in the It’s the economy section 1. crisis 2. cash for clunkers 3. iceland 4. california 5. recession 6. obama 7. unemployment rate 8. green 9. great depression 10. inflation

Got this from a friend this morning, the new Icelandic myths: Bloggers are unemployed left wing radicals Blogs are mainstream media in all aspects of Arts, Science, Lifestyle & Politics We are very beautiful, intelligent and strong Empirically true, but conversely, some are narrow minded, stupid and corrupt We are part of EEA / fully functioning part of Europe The [...]

All people are created equal. Right? So what is the reason why homosexual couples cannot legally marry in California? It was the result of a ballot amongst voters in the state. If you depend on polls to guide your vision and direct your wisdom, the general population is often prepared to impede the rights of others, for credulous [...]

Joly knows the stakes are high. “This is so much larger than Elf,” she says later with relish, “but we don’t know just how much larger. Not yet.” From the Financial Times

“Iceland is implementing a Nordic tax system alongside an American welfare system. ” From Fridrik Jonsson’s blog Now Less for more can be inserted alongside that other Icelandic motto, Smile and pay. And no, it is quite a stretch to blame this novelty in governance on the Social Democrats and the Left Greens. Although they’ve fumbled the ball on [...]

Only 1/3 of Icelandic voters think that joining the EU is a good thing. My friend from college who is visiting from EU-land just shook her head. She’s my age and she now owns six apartments, two of them outright. She’s not been receiving higher wages than I, nor is she better educated, better connected nor does [...]