Thursday assorted links

1. Why won’t Venezuela default?

2. Rudolf Kálmán of the Kalman filter has passed away.  And NYT appreciation of Kiarostami.

3. In which countries does being a parent most and least contribute to happiness?  Also known as “The culture that is America.”

4. An excellent economic history reading list, from Pseudoerasmus.

5. In praise of Daunt and Waterstones.

6. Can you buy a “fairly sourced” smart phone?

7. Marie Kondo and her tidying enemies: ““I was always more comfortable talking to objects than people,” she told me.” (NYT)