Somehow the holiday goes unnoticed in Brazil...go figure. So what am I thankful for today? In the heart of the Sao Paulo business district the is a small but delightful little park, Parque do Trianon (Tenente Siqueira Campos), that reminds you that you are not in America or Europe. A tiny bit of the jungle amongst a cavalcade of cars and people that is a peaceful spot for contemplation and rest. And so I did.
Two Thanksgiving thoughts from an economist:
One, today is the day for time inconsistent preferences - you eat too much even though you know that later you'll regret it. And more power too you!
Two, spare a thought though for those across the world with not enough to eat - close to 1 billion by some estimates or almost 1/6th of the world. And it is not because the world does not have enough food. I am not saying this to be a downer on this festive day: not eating in America will not fix things precisely because it is not a shortage of food, but largely a shortage of proper institutions, mechanisms and peace to distribute food to those in need. The solutions are not easy, but we mustn't stop trying.
Happy thanksgiving everyone. I shall celebrate with a Feijoada.
