Behavioral Economics

October 26, 2014
Everyday economics: A misery index number conveys the potential distress created by unemployment and inflation.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 26, 2014
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An Economist’s Definition of Misery

While a misery index shows a nation's inflation and unemployment rates, the eurozone's high unemployment might create disproportionate unhappiness.

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October 21, 2014
Because of new attitudes and economics, there is less supply of "marriageable" men and more valuable women in marriage markets.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 21, 2014
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Why There is Less Marriage

New attitudes that value marriage less and new economics through which women have more pay and education and men work less have changed marriage markets.

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October 16, 2014
aging population pyramids
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 16, 2014
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The Best Places For Growing Old

With populations growing older in the developed world, their wellbeing might affect the GDP growth rate because of the expense of their care.

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October 14, 2014
Everyday economics of LED bulbs
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 14, 2014
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The Unexpected Consequences of More Efficient Lighting

Like 19th century English coal, more efficient and cheap LED lights can mean people and businesses use it more because of the lower opportunity cost.

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October 12, 2014
Everyday economics and human capital formation
Published by Elaine Schwartz at October 12, 2014
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When Does Practice Really Matter?

Since education creates positive externalities that fuel economic growth, understanding how to develop expertise through human capital formation is crucial.

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September 28, 2014
Everyday economics for government pension plan
Published by Elaine Schwartz at September 28, 2014
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When You Can Expect to Be Most Creative

Knowing about how and when creative people achieve optimal productivity is important because of the connection between human capital and economic growth.

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September 14, 2014
It would be beneficial for households and national economic growth if the U.S. saving rate were raised.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at September 14, 2014
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The Nudge Toward a Goldilocks Savings Rate

We need to raise the low U.S. savings rate with new incentives like a lottery on savings deposits because households and business investment need savings.

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September 3, 2014
Arthur Ashe Stadium
Published by Elaine Schwartz at September 3, 2014
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Using Prediction Markets to Catch Match-Fixing at Wimbledon

When supply and demand in tennis match prediction markets created illogical prices, researchers said that 3 matches at Wimbledon might have been fixed.

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August 29, 2014
Weekly Economic News Roundup and airplane seat
Published by Elaine Schwartz at August 29, 2014
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Solving the Airplane Seat Problem

According to Ronald Coase, if reclining in an airline seat creates a negative externality, both parties can negotiate because the transaction costs are low.

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August 27, 2014
Everyday Economics: With opportunity cost, planners can decide how much natural disaster preparation is worth the tradeoff.
Published by Elaine Schwartz at August 27, 2014
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The Costs of Being Prepared for a Natural Disaster

Whereas natural disaster preparation can save lives, it might have too high an opportunity cost to make sense or be a ShakeAlert that has been proven.

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August 15, 2014
Weekly Economic News Roundup and measuring happiness
Published by Elaine Schwartz at August 15, 2014
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How Music Can Empower You

Like athletes use music before competing, so too can we energize our human capital at work with music that empowers us physiologically and psychologically.

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