An economist might say that the optimal number of traffic fatalities depends on the cost of preventing them. Sweden disagrees. Compared to most other countries, Sweden’s road safety is tops: In …
Disrupting the Movie Industry
With many of us rarely going to a theater, we can see why movie attendance is down and the chance for industry disruption is up.…
Why Superstar Salaries Are So High
Seeing that LeBron James has a four-year $154 million deal, we can ask what makes superstar salaries for athletes so high.…
Breaking the First-Digit Law and Other Number Crimes
When the digits that appear frequently in national accounting figures, spreadsheets, and earnings reports are missing, then we can say we have suspicious numbers.…
Explaining Why We’ll Have New Hotel Shampoo Bottles
Describing why we’ll have new hotel shampoo bottles, Marriott, a hotel guest, and an economist would have different explanations.…
Why Albums Are Longer
We are streaming more of our music with the newest albums having as many as 45 tracks. Where are we going? To some marginal thinking. But first, a bit of history… Music Industry Revenue Does any…
The Economics of the Pumpkin Slingshot
For the next bite of a doughnut or the next try at a pumpkin slingshot, economist Alfred Marshall’s marginal analysis helps you decide whether to say yes.…
How Your Parking Lot and Your Medical Care Could Be Similar
Our healthcare costs and parking lot spending are influenced by similar incentives that involve paying per visit or with a lump sum for unlimited use.…
How Much Healthcare?
When the Netherlands pays for a mother’s first week at home after child birth, we get a message about their healthcare coverage.…
Why a Pasta Pass is About More Than Spaghetti
Selling 21,000 seven week pasta passes, Olive Garden’s never ending pasta promotion is providing unlimited carbs with a hefty serving of economics.…