With nine weeks to go, the economic conditions for the election are set — modest growth, low inflation, and continuing job gains. A few Wall Street forecasters rate the odds of a 2016 recession at one-in-three; but unless a major shock wrenches the economy off its present course, bet with Janet Yellen and Ben Bernanke on the economic expansion continuing into next year.

Here is my comment on Martin Sandbu's  Free Lunch: Where did all the productivity go? And what would it take to make it grow again?

We’ll be resuming with our September issue after Labor Day. Hope you’ve been having a good summer.

This is an advanced copy of  an interview with Michael Green that will be in the issue. Michael Green, a former member of the George W. Bush National Security Council, explains why he is opposing Donald Trump and endorsing Hillary Clinton.

All eyes are on Jackson Hole and the annual Kansas City Fed Economic Symposium. BOJ Governor Kuroda’s appearance on a panel on Saturday could be just as interesting as Fed Chair Yellen’s speech on Friday morning. Global central bankers who have made long flights and several connections in order to get to Jackson Hole are bound to be discussing the US election outlook with as much fervor as monetary theory. Some will wonder if Janet Yellen will attend next year.

Innovation, a favorite topic of debate in the business of technology, gets a FinTech work over in this week's links. Plus more blockchain endorsements and reports, along with some timely cautions.

FinTech food for thought

For this week, I'm moving the weekly blockchain feature to the top of the links, as blockchain continues to capture business and technology attention. The Wall Street Journal even reported that blockchain is at a tipping point, in a comparison of the technology now versus the internet 25 years ago. It certainly is in terms of FinTech attention.

Rocky Transitions

I know it's difficult to believe but transitions in technology and updates to regulatory regimes do not necessarily put the consumer's point of view first. The digitization of money and banking is inevitable, but the ability of FinTech to empower individuals and community institutions is not.

This week's links provide some examples. And also some hope for outcomes that work for everyone.

The chip card transition in the U.S. has been a disaster