worth reading : V-shaped explosion - By Martin Hutchinson - ... Yet commentators should be careful what they wish for: a V-shaped recovery is likely to lead not to a prolonged period of healthy growth, but to an economic explosion and collapse. ... In other words, a true V-shaped recovery is impossible, at least without some very unpleasant consequences indeed. ... - Asia Times

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A SELF SUSTAINING RECOVERY? NOT YET. - Richard Koo’s latest commentary is not quite as wildly bullish as equity investors have gotten in recent weeks and I fully agree with his outlook.  The markets are pricing in a self sustaining organic recovery and I still believe we have anything but that.  While we are still very constructive on the economy in H1 (and likely into Q3), I believe we are still mired in a balance sheet recession that is simply being papered over by extraordinary amounts of government spending. - The Pragmatic Capitalist

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Consumer Metrics Institute: ‘Double Dip’ Very Real - Posted by Larry Doyle - I have become a huge fan of Rick Davis of the Consumer Metrics Institute, the Colorado-based effort that tracks real-time consumer purchases to project future economic growth. Recall that during my March 28th conversation with Rick on No Quarter Radio’s Sense on Cents with Larry Doyle, Rick projected that 2nd quarter 2010 GDP would register a -1.5% (yes, that is a negative GDP for 2nd quarter 2010).... What does Rick see lately? Let’s navigate. ... - Sense on Cents

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Inflation Risk - 'Financial Death by a Thousand Cuts' - Author: Knowledge@Wharton -
According to Wharton insurance and risk management professor Kent Smetters, inflation "destroys the value [of investments] gradually by eroding real returns over time." Smetters discusses how investors can guard their portfolios against surges in inflation. - Riskcenter.com 
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Higher Inflation, Not Hyperinflation - Brian S. Wesbury and Robert Stein - The odds of hyperinflation in the U.S. are near zero. - Forbes

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Deflation ahead? - Poor Pricing Power Poses Problems for the U.S. - By David Bogoslaw - With few industries able to raise prices, and the money supply shrinking despite the Fed's liquidity moves, deflation could become a concern if the economy falters -  feature article at BusinessWeek

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Is Inflation Right Around the Corner? - Mikhail Aristakesyan - ... This is why I believe that it makes sense to speak neither about inflation nor deflation, but about the timing when this liquidity provided to banks will spill over to the real economy, which will inevitably lead to the emergence of inflationary pressures, albeit with a certain time lag. ... - Seeking Alpha

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Folks, its getting better out there.- Nick Gogerty - ... When I say us, I mean it like an anthropologist.  We are more educated, longer lived and wealthier than we have ever been as a species, oh and there are more of us. ... The age of innovation and the era of progress is accelerating.  -  Check out the sweet new worldbank data collection    that is online and available for mashups - Designing Better Futures