Economics and Investing:

Some stunning charts: Quantitative addiction and the allure of low interest rates – US paid $454 billion in interest payments alone in 2011. Equity in real estate for households cut in half.

Negative Real Interest Rates Continue To Drive The Gold Price

Miles in Indiana sent this from Ahead of the Herd: Nickel Mining Like its 1864–Nickel Sulphide Project Pipeline Empty

Billions in bearer bonds could be lost due to Hurricane Sandy. (A hat tip to to Linda U. for the link.)

Items from The Economatrix:

Greenspan Warns Financial Markets Will Crash If US Can’t Solve Fiscal Cliff Problem

Most In US Won’t Be Able To Escape The “Fiscal Cliff”

Pink Slips For Elves?  Toy Sales Are Buckling