Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

World Turns to Blogger for Euro Advice

Edward Hugh saw the euro's troubles coming

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 10, 2010 7:41 AM CDT

(Newser) – A British man who's made his living as a part-time English teacher in Spain for decades is suddenly the hottest name in economics, because he got it right. Blogger Edward Hugh correctly predicted the current Eurozone crisis, pinpointing the reason as the difference in demographics between Germany and countries like Greece, where a younger population has borrowed heavily to buy property. He warned that it would eventually prove impossible for the Eurozone countries to coexist under the same currency, the Independent notes.

The IMF, international banks, and even the White House have been seeking Hugh's advice lately, and Paul Krugman tells CNN that "I wish he posted more." The 59-year-old says he's been getting plenty of job offers but he has no plans to give up his life in the countryside outside Barcelona. "I moved here to get way from the office. All these offers I'm getting, really, they can go and jump in the lake as far as I'm concerned." He did agree to attend a conference of Spanish businessmen and economists discussing the crisis last month, although he had to borrow money from friends to buy a suit.

A poster burns in front of Bank of Greece headquarters as the graffiti reads ''Burn banks'' during a march in central Athens last month.
A poster burns in front of Bank of Greece headquarters as the graffiti reads ''Burn banks'' during a march in central Athens last month.   (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Not only are Europe's economies in disorder, the high value of the dollar means the US recovery is steadily grinding to a halt. So we could call the euro break-up story 'how Greece screwed the USA.' - Edward Hugh

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
6%
25%
0%
58%
11%
0%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
davidwilson707
Jun 12, 2010 8:16 AM CDT
A some point someone somewhere with a little time to spend is going to get it right. The issue is whether or not they are in the mainstream of whatever sector it may happen to be. I recall Einstein came up with something pretty important whilst sitting in a patent office in Austria. It doesn't matter in the big world if you have a 'suit' or 'no suit' I suppose it only matters if you are a 'suit'.
George939
Jun 11, 2010 8:02 PM CDT
Probably has more time to analyze the data and is not under pressure to call it correctly or please anyone but himself.
NoddaAndYou
Jun 11, 2010 1:23 AM CDT
I tend not to put all my eggs in the basket of economist that has to borrow money to buy a suit.
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   World History Project   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne