Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Hip-Hop Econ, The Ten Principles in Rap Form
Click on the title above to access a musical approach to the Ten Key Economic Principles.
Monday, October 26, 2009
McDonald's Pulls Out Of Iceland
Iceland will have to do without the distinct odors of McDonald's as the chain closed its three remaining restaurants in the wake of a currency crisis. Iceland fell victim to the sub-prime mortgage fiasco and now struggles under the weight of massive debt. This has eliminated faith in the Krona and caused its value to plummet. McDonald's requires its store owners to import all meat, potatoes, etc. from Germany and the costs became prohibitive. Click on the title above to access the full story behind this franchises exit.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Tax Porno
For many years it has been the practice of the Norwegian government to release the tax return/income statements of every citizen for transparency reasons. If the public can see the executives salary then its disparity with the norm can be kept in check. Some people use it for mere voyeurism as they pull the covers back on their neighbors and friends. Interestingly, this has been a practice in the U.S. at times in its history. Click on the title above to see how Norwegians feel about the practice and consider whether this should be renewed as a policy here.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
The New Untouchables
This is a spectacular essay on the stark realities of the world. Being average doesn't cut it anymore. There's a computer or a worker in another labor market who can cover those jobs more efficiently. If you don't arrive in the future as an innovator and an entrepreneur then you will be the jobless in the phrase "jobless recovery". Our public education system could turn out to be the final straw in the collapse of the American empire, thus no other recovery plan should take precedence.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Food Inc.
Click on the title above to access an interview with the director of a recent documentary on the industrialization of food. While watching the video segment answer the following questions and e-mail the responses to me.
FOOD INC.
1. How has the consolidation of market share in the fast food industry affected everything we eat?
2. What are some of the invisible costs of cheap food?
3. How widespread is the presence of corn throughout our lifestyle?
4. What role does economics play in bad eating habits of Americans?
5. What factors in the industrialization of food play a role in making our food system dangerous to our health?
6. What can you do to change our food system?
FOOD INC.
1. How has the consolidation of market share in the fast food industry affected everything we eat?
2. What are some of the invisible costs of cheap food?
3. How widespread is the presence of corn throughout our lifestyle?
4. What role does economics play in bad eating habits of Americans?
5. What factors in the industrialization of food play a role in making our food system dangerous to our health?
6. What can you do to change our food system?
You Thought We Had Problems?
There is grave concern over the bulging U.S. Federal debt we're amassing in light of this recent economic crisis. But ours pales in comparison to the debt currently saddling the country of Japan. If you click on the title you'll access an article that estimates its debt at twice the size of their GDP. The U.S. debt presently matches the nation's GDP. The Japanese have been mired in a recession for the better part of two decades.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Real-time Twitter Trends
You guys know you love your Twitter and you wait anxiously for every tweet. Have you ever wondered what the rest of North America is tweeting about? Well, your wait is over. Click on the title above to acess a real-time map of North America with constantly updated clues as to what is being discussed in your town, region, country, and continent. Wow, life just got a whole lot better.
SNL On Obama's Accomplishments
Click on the title above to read a rebuttal to the satire's assertion.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Scroogenomics:Why You Shouldn't Buy Presents for the Holidays
Christmas is a time of seasonal cheer, family get-togethers, holiday parties, and-gift giving. Lots and lots--and lots--of gift giving. It's hard to imagine any Christmas without this time-honored custom. But let's stop to consider the gifts we receive--the rooster sweater from Grandma or the singing fish from Uncle Mike. How many of us get gifts we like? How many of us give gifts not knowing what recipients want? Did your cousin really look excited about that jumping alarm clock? Lively and informed, Scroogenomics illustrates how our consumer spending generates vast amounts of economic waste--to the shocking tune of eighty-five billion dollars each winter. Economist Joel Waldfogel provides solid explanations to show us why it's time to stop the madness and think twice before buying gifts for the holidays. When we buy for ourselves, every dollar we spend produces at least a dollar in satisfaction, because we shop carefully and purchase items that are worth more than they cost. Gift giving is different. We make less-informed choices, max out on credit to buy gifts worth less than the money spent, and leave recipients less than satisfied, creating what Waldfogel calls "deadweight loss." Waldfogel indicates that this waste isn't confined to Americans--most major economies share in this orgy of wealth destruction. While recognizing the difficulties of altering current trends, Waldfogel offers viable gift-giving alternatives. By reprioritizing our gift-giving habits, Scroogenomics proves that we can still maintain the economy without gouging our wallets, and reclaim the true spirit of the holiday season.
Airline Pilots Used To Be "Gods"
If you ever saw the movie "Catch Me If You Can", you'll remember that pilots used to be a cut above the rest of us in the eyes of society. The recent heroic landing of the plane on the Hudson river reminded us of the skills experienced pilots have. How far the mighty have fallen. Click on the title above to read about the pedestrian conditions they now work under.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
You're Almost Always Near A McDonald's
Click on the title above to gaze at an amazing map and read about one man's study of urban sprawl. You'll notice from the article that if you are a Archiphobic the best place to live is South Dakota.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Everything's Amazing and Nobody's Happy
Click on the title above to access a video segment from Conan O'Brien's show. A funny segment on how spoiled we are in this amazing world. The comedian is Louis CK.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Uneducated American
Our nation is in crisis, how can a nation thrive when it's three most essential fundamentals are teetering? Housing has imploded, health care is unaffordable, and our nation's education system doesn't have the resources or the vision to deliver. This is the formula for an "opportunity apartheid" that will rip at the nation's social fabric. Click on the title above to read of the straits public education finds itself in.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Are You Surprised That President Obama Won The Nobel Peace Prize?
I believe it's not an exaggeration to say that the choice was a major surprise. Having only been President for 9 months, he's initiated some efforts but they have yet to reap tangible rewards. Click on the title above to read one man's opinion and weigh in on what this might mean for Obama's effectiveness forward.
The Worst Unemployment In The Country
Click on the title above for a video segment chronicling the devastating unemployment in Elkhart, Indiana. The unfortunate consequence when you become a one industry town.
Less Money, Mo Problems
The video piece describes the recent de-blinging trend in the Rap music industry and an artist has composed a rhyme expressing his dismay.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Slim Thug's Music Video - Still a Boss | ||||
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America's Saving Rate Highest In Fifteen Years
New numbers released indicate that Americans are currently saving, on average, 6.9% of their after tax income. In recent times that's very high, but if you click on the title above you'll discover that in the last 50 years it's merely average. Pay particular notice to the graph and the depths we reached just a few short years ago.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Workplace Suicides Spark French Outcry
FT.com / Europe - Workplace suicides spark French outcry
Shared via AddThis
In a high profile example of the strain workers dwell under in transitional times, there have been an unusually high rash of suicides at the French telecom company. Click on the link above and decide whether this is a true crisis or primadonna. Though that may sound cold, a look deeper into the company finds that phone workers in France have a lot more job security than American telecom workers.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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