How can this be? Ethanol is made from corn and, of course, the demand for ethanol has increased the demand for corn. The demand for corn has out-stripped farmers’ ability to supply more corn and thus has resulted in increased prices for corn…
economics
Are You Middle Class?
By 6.1.07
The NYT has an interesting interactive graphic that shows you where you fall in terms of class in our society based on 4 criteria: Occupation, Education, Income and Wealth.
Sudan Threatens To Cut Off The World's Supply Of Coca-Cola
By 5.31.07
“I want you to know that the gum arabic which runs all the soft drinks all over the world, including the United States, mainly 80 percent is imported from my country,” the ambassador said after raising a bottle of Coca-Cola.
The History Of The Price Of Coke
By 5.14.07
Coke itself was taxed first as a medicine, then as a soft drink, and survived sugar rationing. All the while, the price stayed at a nickel.
The More You Stuff You Sell Through Walmart, The Lower Your Gross Profit Margin
By 4.26.07
To measure the “Wal-Mart effect” on profits across different industries, Forbes analyzed information compiled by Revere to compare the percentage of sales that various firms generated through Wal-Mart in fiscal 2006 to the gross margins those firms produced during the same period, as compiled by FactSet . The survey covered 333 companies in six industry sectors–apparel & accessories, consumer games & electronics, household accessories, food & beverage, personal care and leisure goods–that Revere identified as heavy Wal-Mart sellers and their competitors.
We’ve summarized their results inside.
The Freakonomics Of The Wii?
By 4.19.07
We don’t feel so bad that we don’t yet have a Wii, because Dubner over at Freakonomics doesn’t have one and he’s certainly wealthier and more popular than we are. He’s posted a letter from one Paul Kimmelman summarizing the baffling shortage of Wiis. It raises some interesting questions.
Map of The World Based On Where Walmart Gets Its Products
By 4.18.07
Kottke has linked a map drawn as if the size and existence of countries was based on how many products Walmart buys from their nation. China is huge, Europe is tiny, and Canada is less than the size of Alaska. —MEGHANN MARCO
January 29 Is Milton Friedman Day
By 1.22.07
Mark your calendar for January 29, Milton Friedman Day, a day when the invisible hand of the marketplace takes a break and gives ol’ Miltie a reacharound.
RIP Milton Friedman
By 11.17.06
He predicted the staglation of the 70’s and argued that the Great Depression was exacerbated by the government’s contraction of the money supply.
The Rich Get Richer And The Poor Work Harder
By 8.28.06
In Upton Sinclair’s, “The Jungle,” it eventually emerges that some of the Chicago meatpacking workers lose body parts in the factory gears. If memory serves, at one point even one of the workers falls in. The implication being that the owners are literally making mincemeat of their workforce. Similarly, in the NYT this morning, “Real Wages Fail to Match a Rise in Productivity“
The News; Uniquely Toxic and Loving It
By 7.19.06
• Apparently, Florida is at a bit of a risk for grapefruit bruising. [CT] “State Farm to hike Florida rates 53%”
The News; Unhealthy Alliances
By 7.17.06
• Breeze felt in the windy city. [LAT] “United Airlines to Move Head Office to Chicago From Suburb”
The News; High Interest Charged For Lending Of Ears
By 7.14.06
• Home field advantage. Shortness of breath ensues amongst the 16,000 coat-tail hopefuls, causing them to reach for their pills. [LAT] “Verdict Bolsters Merck’s Vioxx”
The News; Supermarket Struck By White Lightning
By 7.6.06
• You know what they say about giving it away, it makes people think it’s worthless, which in this case is absolutely correct. [CT] “AOL May Offer Some Services Free”
• Glad to hear you finally escaped the cellar and got that slough cleaning job you’ve always dreamed of. [NYT] “Jobless Claims Fall Slightly”
• The sky’s price for friendliness just got $10 more expensive. [CT] “Price Of Flying Takes Skyward Turn Again”
• Globalization died last week of prostate cancer. It was 81. [NYT] “Theodore Levitt Dead”
• The one divorce that really is the kid’s fault. [LAT] “Amazon Opens Toy Store After Toys R Us Ruling”
• Albertson’s, it’s your store, Mr. Aryan Nation. [LAT] “Albertsons Sued Over Racial Discrimination” [More]
The News is Too Short to Ride
By 6.30.06
• JetBlue, Continental, ranked a mile high above competition. [LAT] “JetBlue Gets Top Ratings in Survey”
The News; The Devil Wears Ketchup
By 6.28.06
• Congressmen shocked and outraged to find porn on internet. [NYT] “Internet Companies Divided on Plan to Fight Pornography”
