Hate Surcharges? Just Wait; the First Domino Already Fell
A resident of Austin was complaining on a local TV station about continuing energy surcharges — on prices of airplane tickets, electricity, and other things — at a time when oil prices have tumbled. Presumably, instead of raising nominal prices, companies imposed surcharges last year to convince customers that the increases were temporary; but with Read More »
"This Is No Picnic for Me Either, Buster": Obama and Outliers
My favorite Obama quotation is not one of his most poetic: My mother [would] … wake me up at 4:30 in the morning, and we’d sit there and go through my lessons. And I used to complain and grumble. And she’d say, “Well this is no picnic for me either, buster.” He had me at Read More »
The FREAK-est Links
The Wall Street Journal asks economists: what’s the most economy-conscious way to spend an extra $8 a week? (Earlier) International Oscar winners are good for Hollywood. Nuclear energy is in vogue in Latin America. (Earlier) Can kids get better at math by mimicking Italians? Read More »
Why Do Animated Films Use Such Famous Voices?
I took my four children to the movie Coraline this weekend. After the movie, I asked them how they liked it. Their four answers: “great,” “good,” “O.K.,” and “Thank God it is over.” Coming from my kids, who always say the latest movie is their favorite, those are not very positive reviews. I have never Read More »
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