Thanks. I took an info visualization class last year and saved/bookmarked everything. There probably is a good infographic on-line that explains derivatives in a way most people could understand. (I just haven't found it yet.) In my timeline, it would be interesting to show how the unregulated OTC trading practices impacted our economy over time. By the way, do you know much about "Quantitative Behavioral Finance"? I took an "AI for Games" class, and some of the concepts we learned from our textbook - "Artificial Intelligence, A Modern Approach" - look like they are used in quantitative finance in some way. -Lynn

Seeking Sustainable Innovation

Thanks for such an informative reply. Do you mind if I post some of this on my blog? If so, should I use your 73 zeppelin name as the source? Do you have a website or blog? I try to link my quotes to the source as much as I can. "...unless there is complete collapse of an institution, a 1 billion dollar loss on a trade is a 1 billion dollar gain for the trade counterparty. I don't think this gets enough attention in the press and it's an important issue. The financial crisis is not simply all firms everywhere losing money - there are people on the other side of the trade winning money." Who is the counter-party? You are right, no-one discusses this point. Lynn

Seeking Sustainable Innovation

Hi. Thanks for your suggestions. I'm not an economist, so I know I've missed some key factors involved in the economic crisis. I started the blog when I realized that I was unfamiliar with the finanical terms tossed around on CNBC's Squawk Box. I started listening to the program in my car on my way to work, via XM radio, last March, and as the economy started to nose-dive, I decided to ramp up my knowledge. When I started the blog, I had no idea of the seriousness of the problem. I haven't mentioned everything on my blog, partly because of time limitations, and partly because I'm still learning. I welcome any links you might have regarding mark-to market accounting and the story behind the monolines. I'd like to follow what is happening to the quants who are now looking for jobs. I work in a public school district, so I know that there is a shortage of high school math teachers across the US.

Seeking Sustainable Innovation

Jon, I posted your quotes on my "Economic Sounds and Sights" blog. I'm using the blog to collect information and content that I plan on incorporating into an interactive time-line project about the current economic crisis. Do you have a link that I could add to the post? Thanks! Lynn http://econsoundsandsights.blogspot.com http://interactivemultimediatechnology.blogspot.com

Seeking Sustainable Innovation