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Calvin Trillin

Monday 4th of May 2026

2007 financial crisis “Did you ever hear the word ‘derivatives’?” he said. Do you think our  guys could have invented, say, credit default swaps? Give me a break! They couldn't have done the math.” “So having smart guys there almost caused Wall Street to collapse.” “You got it,” he said. “It took you a while, but you got it.” Calvin Trillin, conversation with a retirement-aged Ivy Leaguer from the '50s or early '60s, when only the lower third of a class went to Wall Street, unlike the geniuses from MIT and Caltech who went in the '80s or '90s © 2015 Kwiple.com
Food I like chili, but not enough to discuss it with someone from Texas. Calvin Trillin © 2017 Kwiple.com
Presidency We weren't going to know whether you could bring down a presidency with iambic pentameter until somebody tried it. Calvin Trillin, A Heckuva Job:  More of the Bush Administration in Rhyme  © 2017 Kwiple.com
 
Selfie I've always thought that parallel parking was my main talent. Calvin Trillin © 2015 Kwiple.com