Four-day weeks are notoriously volatile, and the past few days were no exception. But despite a daily dosage of grim economic news and a deterioration in the investment outlook, the headlines were captured by the inauguration of the US’s 44th president, Barack Obama.

Commentators were in agreement that Mr O commenced his tenure against the worst economic background in living memory and that his Administration had its work cut out to resurrect the US from its economic malaise (also see “Obama’s honeymoon faces daunting tasks“). As a result, good viewing material was produced with the likes of Warren Buffett, David Swensen, Bill Gross, John Mauldin, John Bogle, Stephen Roach and Joseph Stiglitz in attendance.

A few of the more interesting video clips that attracted my attention are shared below.

But before we lend our ears to some of the familiar voices deliberating the outlook for the economy and financial markets, spend a few minutes viewing the first two parts of Max Keiser’s delightful new BBC series. Entitled “The Oracle” the videos take a fresh look at the causes and consequences of the financial crisis.

BBC News: The oracle with Max Keiser
“Back in 2006, when bankers and hedge-fund managers strode the world, Max Keiser predicted that a crisis in the global banking system would be triggered by subprime debt. How right he was. Now, he’s bringing his predictive powers to BBC World News in a new series called The Oracle – starting with an entertaining and irreverent look at the global economic crisis. “

Click here or on the image below for part 1 of the interview.

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Click here for part 2 of the interview.

Source: BBC News (via YouTube), January 16, 2009.

NBR: Warren Buffett reminisces about Wall Street
The Chairman & CEO of Berkshire-Hathaway sat down with NBR’s Susie Gharib to discuss the past, present and future of Wall Street.

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Source: NBR, January 22, 2009.

Charlie Rose: A conversation with David Swensen

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Source: Charlie Rose, January 21, 2009.

CNBC: Barack Obama’s inaugural address

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Source: CNBC, January 20, 2009.

CNBC: Warren Buffett – Barack Obama will help the economy, but don’t expect short-term miracles

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Click here for the article.

Source: CNBC, January 18, 2009.

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