Deciding If Wine Glass Size Matters

The size of a typical British wine glass has ballooned during the past 300 years. Close to 70 ml in 1700, now it is more than six times bigger. Where are we going? To glass, plate, and portion sizes. Wine…

Why China Wants To Be Called a Market Economy

A year ago, China filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO). Targeting the European Union and the United States, China’s goal was to have its economy called a market. The case is huge. Its results could transform…

The Town That Is Fighting a Leaf Blower War

Assume you drive from Los Angeles to Denver. Then, you blow leaves for one hour. The leaf blower will create more “smog forming” pollution than your car:   Where are we going? To delayed gratification. But first, a leaf blower…

Weekly Economic News Roundup: From Frappuccinos to Hot Dogs

Connecting economics, current events, and history, our weekly economic news roundup includes why hot dogs are sandwiches and airplane taxes create fees.

How Many Peanuts Are in Real Peanut Butter?

Ruth Desmond was a 1960s housewife who regularly attended and then reported on FDA hearings in her newsletter. During one meeting she said to General Foods attorneys that peanut butter with less than 95% peanuts should be called “peanut spread”…

Why a Starbucks Christmas Tree Frappuccino Has a Brief Life

The Christmas Tree Frappuccino had a short life. It was here Thursday and gone Monday. But Starbucks had a good reason. Frappuccino History The Christmas Tree Frappuccino was the latest in a limited edition frappuccino line-up. Starbucks tells us that…

The Economic Yardstick That (We Don’t Know) We Need

Please think GDP for a moment. Reported and revised during each quarter, GDP numbers create a reaction. If the growth rate is high, lawmakers assume their policies are working. When the numbers are lower, people wonder how to boost them.…

Weekly Economic News Roundup: From Fewer Christmas Trees to More Avocados

Connecting economics, current events, and history, our weekly economic news roundup includes fast tunnels, expensive traffic tolls, and cheaper avocados.

Elon Musk’s Tunnel Vision

It appears that Elon Musk’s year-old Boring Company has tunnel vision. The firm has proposed a high-tech tunnel between NYC and Washington D.C. that got a verbal okay from the White House: Where are we going? To new tunnels and…

Why HOT Lanes are a Hot Topic

In the high-occupancy toll lanes outside of Washington D.C., you could pay close to $4.00 a mile. Just for a 9-mile stretch along Interstate 66, the toll has totaled $40.00. Should economists applaud? Controlling Congestion On December 5, 2017, commuters…