Endless shrimp and other indicators
On the latest edition of Indicators of the week, inflation in the U.S. and Europe is slowing down. Plus, a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston highlights the number of gig workers typical employment counts miss. And finally ... Red Lobster, endless shrimp and loss leaders. For sponso...
On the latest edition of Indicators of the week, inflation in the U.S. and Europe is slowing down. Plus, a new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston highlights the number of gig workers typical employment counts miss. And finally ... Red Lobster, endless shrimp and loss leaders. For sponso...
Could SCOTUS outlaw wealth taxes?
The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments next week on whether the federal government can tax some "unrealized" gains. That's when an asset you hold, rather than sell, gains value. Tax experts say it's the biggest constitutional tax case seen in a century. Today, we lay out the stakes and the mass...
The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments next week on whether the federal government can tax some "unrealized" gains. That's when an asset you hold, rather than sell, gains value. Tax experts say it's the biggest constitutional tax case seen in a century. Today, we lay out the stakes and the mass...
Putting the 80/20 rule to the test
A favorite of productivity hackers, the Pareto Principle, aka the 80/20 rule, has taken on a life of its own since it was first observed by an Italian economist over a century ago. The concept states that a small number of causes generates a large number of outcomes. Today on the show, the origins o...
A favorite of productivity hackers, the Pareto Principle, aka the 80/20 rule, has taken on a life of its own since it was first observed by an Italian economist over a century ago. The concept states that a small number of causes generates a large number of outcomes. Today on the show, the origins o...
Oil prices and the Israel-Hamas war
The Middle East is synonymous with oil production. And historically, oil prices usually surge when there's a conflict there. But right now, despite the Israel-Hamas war, we're seeing the opposite — oil prices have fallen.Today on the show: how the region's history, geography and markets are shaping...
The Middle East is synonymous with oil production. And historically, oil prices usually surge when there's a conflict there. But right now, despite the Israel-Hamas war, we're seeing the opposite — oil prices have fallen.Today on the show: how the region's history, geography and markets are shaping...
Texas' new power grid problem
In 2021, a huge winter storm hit Texas. It caused a days-long blackout that resulted in hundreds of deaths. The Texas grid operator adopted a new policy to guard against another blackout: it would incentivize plants to keep power in reserve. The problem is: that may have caused major price spikes.To...
In 2021, a huge winter storm hit Texas. It caused a days-long blackout that resulted in hundreds of deaths. The Texas grid operator adopted a new policy to guard against another blackout: it would incentivize plants to keep power in reserve. The problem is: that may have caused major price spikes.To...
A salary to be grateful for, and other Thanksgiving indicators
It's an Indicator Friendsgiving! You're not alone in feeling the news has been awfully grim this year. So we're taking a collective breath and sitting down at the table to find some economic indicators to be thankful for. That includes an end to global shipping turmoil, the green-blue bubble détente...
It's an Indicator Friendsgiving! You're not alone in feeling the news has been awfully grim this year. So we're taking a collective breath and sitting down at the table to find some economic indicators to be thankful for. That includes an end to global shipping turmoil, the green-blue bubble détente...
How "dark defaults" could cost you
A lot of people have experienced some version of this: You sign up for the free one-week trial of some subscription service, only later to be surprised when you get a bill for the deluxe, forever plan. Or you log into a website once, and now your inbox is a flood of promotional emails. All because o...
A lot of people have experienced some version of this: You sign up for the free one-week trial of some subscription service, only later to be surprised when you get a bill for the deluxe, forever plan. Or you log into a website once, and now your inbox is a flood of promotional emails. All because o...
The messy human drama behind OpenAI
The company behind ChatGPT pushed out its CEO Sam Altman on Friday. OpenAI's board gave the public little insight into its controversial decision. On Sunday, Microsoft announced it was hiring Sam Altman. By Monday morning, hundreds of OpenAI employees are threatening to leave unless the board resign...
The company behind ChatGPT pushed out its CEO Sam Altman on Friday. OpenAI's board gave the public little insight into its controversial decision. On Sunday, Microsoft announced it was hiring Sam Altman. By Monday morning, hundreds of OpenAI employees are threatening to leave unless the board resign...
Prices fall, unemployment rises and Boomers have all the houses
We've been on a wild economic ride lately so let's find the key trends to make sense of where the economy's headed. On this edition of Indicators of the Week, the numbers you need to know about falling producer prices, rising unemployment claims and generational home-buying trends. For sponsor-free ...
We've been on a wild economic ride lately so let's find the key trends to make sense of where the economy's headed. On this edition of Indicators of the Week, the numbers you need to know about falling producer prices, rising unemployment claims and generational home-buying trends. For sponsor-free ...
How do cheap cell phone plans make money? And other questions
You ask, we answer! Today we answer listener questions on whether certain jobs are becoming "feminized" since COVID started and how that affects what these jobs pay. We also examine labor unions' economic impact and why Ryan Reynolds keeps sending one of our co-hosts a Christmas card. Related episod...
You ask, we answer! Today we answer listener questions on whether certain jobs are becoming "feminized" since COVID started and how that affects what these jobs pay. We also examine labor unions' economic impact and why Ryan Reynolds keeps sending one of our co-hosts a Christmas card. Related episod...
The evidence on school vouchers that'll please nobody
School vouchers, or school choice as it's known among advocates, is public funding for children to attend private schools. It's a controversial policy — some say it undermines the public school system, others say it gives parents the ability to choose the best school for their children. And its pop...
School vouchers, or school choice as it's known among advocates, is public funding for children to attend private schools. It's a controversial policy — some say it undermines the public school system, others say it gives parents the ability to choose the best school for their children. And its pop...
Xi and him
President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping have not sat down for a face-to-face discussion in a year. In that time, Chinese-American relations have become even more tense with the spy balloon incident, the US cracking down on advanced computer chips and the continuing trade war. Today, we ...
President Joe Biden and China's President Xi Jinping have not sat down for a face-to-face discussion in a year. In that time, Chinese-American relations have become even more tense with the spy balloon incident, the US cracking down on advanced computer chips and the continuing trade war. Today, we ...
When a staple becomes a luxury
Fish and chips have long been a staple cheap comfort food for millions of people in the U.K. However, economic headwinds are putting the squeeze on owners of fish and chip shops. Today, we explore how changes in economic conditions play a role in our dietary habits and how the U.K. is grappling with...
Fish and chips have long been a staple cheap comfort food for millions of people in the U.K. However, economic headwinds are putting the squeeze on owners of fish and chip shops. Today, we explore how changes in economic conditions play a role in our dietary habits and how the U.K. is grappling with...
Actors back. Pandas gone. WeBankrupt.
This time on Indicators of the Week: actors reached a deal with Hollywood studios after their months-long strike. The once-popular co-working company WeWork has filed for bankruptcy. Also, three pandas departed the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C. as China repatriates the cuddly animals...
This time on Indicators of the Week: actors reached a deal with Hollywood studios after their months-long strike. The once-popular co-working company WeWork has filed for bankruptcy. Also, three pandas departed the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C. as China repatriates the cuddly animals...
A radical plan to fix Argentina's inflation
In a little over a week, Argentines will head to the polls to pick a new president. Polls show a tightening race between right-wing populist Javier Milei and centrist challenger Sergio Massa. Both are pledging to address the country's out-of-control inflation. Today on the show, we look at Milei's r...
In a little over a week, Argentines will head to the polls to pick a new president. Polls show a tightening race between right-wing populist Javier Milei and centrist challenger Sergio Massa. Both are pledging to address the country's out-of-control inflation. Today on the show, we look at Milei's r...
