Why Are Groceries Getting So Expensive?

A woman in a grocery store holding bread and contemplating why groceries are so expensive

Why are groceries getting so expensive, despite inflation going down? What role does greed play? How is the government responding? Surging grocery store prices have left American families paying an average of 25% more for food since the pandemic’s onset. Lower-income families are disproportionately affected. Factors fueling the price hikes include supply chain struggles, corporate profiteering, and the war in Ukraine. Continue reading for more insights into the rising cost of groceries.

Journalism Layoffs Threaten Truth and Democracy

A newspaper store in a city with a closing sign on the front door

Why are journalism layoffs at an all-time high? Why is this so dangerous for society? Which outlets are the most likely to survive? Traditional journalism faces a cataclysmic crisis due to the rise of tech giants, outdated business models, and consumer behavior shifts. The crisis has led to massive job losses in journalism and increased mistrust of the media. Experts warn it could fuel manipulation in democratic processes. Keep reading to learn what’s behind the layoffs and the detrimental effects they could have.

Biden’s Natural Gas Suspension: Environment vs. Economy

A cargo ship on the ocean carrying liquid natural gas.

What are the environmental consequences of natural gas exports? How is the Biden administration tackling the trade-off between increased natural gas exports and climate change goals? The Biden administration has temporarily suspended approval of natural gas exports to non-free trade agreement countries. As Democrats prepare for the 2024 presidential election, they must balance the economic benefits of increasing natural gas exports with fulfilling climate change pledges. Here’s a look at the pros and cons of Biden’s natural gas suspension.

Why Tech Industry Layoffs Aren’t Going Away

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Will tech industry layoffs slow down this year? Why are companies cutting jobs? What can tech workers do to navigate the rocky landscape? Thousands of tech professionals are out of work as industry layoffs persist in 2024, raising concerns about the sector’s stability. Big tech companies, including Alphabet, Amazon, and Meta, have announced more layoffs for the future, prompted by post-pandemic hiring corrections and strategic pivots to focus on AI. Here’s a closer look at who’s getting laid off and why.

What the Houthi Red Sea Attacks Mean for Global Trade

A cargo ship parting the ocean.

What do the Houthi Red Sea attacks mean for global trade? What sparked the attacks? Will there be long-term effects on the world economy? Houthi rebels’ targeted attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea have disrupted one of the world’s busiest trade routes. To avoid the assaults, more commercial vessels are taking detours, which is raising shippers’ operational costs and disrupting the global supply chain. Keep reading for a background on the Houthi attacks and how they may affect the world economy.

How the Great Wealth Transfer Might Disrupt the Economy

A woman smiling while holding a document titled "Will & Testament."

Who will benefit from the upcoming Great Wealth Transfer? How could it possibly destabilize the entire economy? A significant financial shift called the Great Wealth Transfer is anticipated in the coming decades as baby boomers pass down their capital to millennials and Gen Zers. However, experts predict these inheritances will disproportionately favor those who are already wealthy.  Here’s a look at who might benefit from the wealth transfer and how it could disrupt the economy.

The World Economic Forum 2024: Takeaways & Critiques

The logo for the World Economic Forum.

What was discussed at the World Economic Forum 2024? What are the biggest critiques around the gathering of elites? In January, global leaders in the public and private sectors converged at the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland to talk about issues like the economy, geopolitical conflicts, and the environment. While it’s brought about some meaningful change, its participants are often skittish around sensitive topics. Here’s a background on what Davos is and this year’s key takeaways.

APEC Meeting 2023: Counterbalancing China (NPR News Now)

A scale balancing United States and Vietnam flag

Where did the APEC meeting (2023) take place? What national leaders did President Biden meet with? What signal might this send to China? President Biden’s recent meeting with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in San Francisco holds significant implications for US-Mexico relations. The meeting coincided with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. Continue reading for a summary of this podcast episode from NPR News Now.

Whatever Works: The Satisficing Model of Decision-Making

A man trying to make a decision

How does perfectionism go against our unconscious mind? How do we innately seek safety and minimize failure? In Alchemy, Rory Sutherland suggests that to solve economic and political problems, we should leverage people’s illogical—and even magical—ways of thinking. One of these is our unconscious desire to go with whatever works rather than the best possible solution. Keep reading to learn about the satisficing model of decision-making and how to make it work for you.

How Assumptions in Economics and Business Miss the Mark

An arrow missing a giant target bullseye

What’s wrong with the math and statistics that go into economic and business models? How effective are market questionnaires? Rory Sutherland insists that, for the most part, the study of economics is completely detached from the realities of human behavior. In his book Alchemy, he provides advice on how economists and business leaders should go about truly understanding what drives consumer choices. Continue reading to learn why Sutherland believes that significant assumptions in economics and business are faulty.