Economics Archives

How Can We Save the Planet? By Saving the Humans First

How can we save the planet? What’s wrong with most of the current solutions? Though it’s become widely accepted that climate change is real, the questions still remain of what steps we should take to fix the damage and whether they’ll be enough. In Apocalypse Never, Michael Shellenberger explains why he thinks most initiatives are misguided and provides his own proposals. Read more to learn Shellenberger’s analysis of the climate problem and to discover the fix he thinks we need.

Climate Change & Energy Consumption: What’s the Solution?

How can we move toward fuel sources with higher energy density and power density? What difference does that make for the environment, the economy, and society as a whole? The primary driver of climate change, and the most important issue to tackle, is society’s ever-growing energy consumption. In Apocalypse Never, Michael Shellenberger explains the problem and explores our options as we move into the future. Continue reading to learn about climate change and energy consumption.

Will the 2023 Salary Increase for Low-Wage Jobs Continue?

What’s behind the 2023 salary increase in low-wage jobs in the US? Will wages of America’s lowest-paid workers continue to rise? For four decades, the gap between America’s lowest- and highest-paid workers grew. Then came the Covid-19 pandemic, which hit the “reset” button for low-wage workers and reversed one-quarter of that gap. Let’s take a look at what caused the 2023 wage increase and if it’s expected to continue.

How to Spot Counterfeit Bills: A Guide for Cashiers and Business Owners

Do you know how to spot a counterfeit bill? How common are they? Counterfeit bills can be very convincing, and it’s challenging to spot a fake. Counterfeiting may cost the U.S. economy over $200 billion each year. And, it’s not just businesses that are suffering. Ordinary people can also fall victim to fake currency when they pay or get change. Keep reading to learn how to identify fake currency to protect yourself and your business. Look and Feel of Genuine Currency To spot counterfeit bills, it’s essential to understand the physical characteristics of genuine currency. For example, U.S. currency has

Capitalism and Innovation: How Competition Stifles Ideas

How does capitalism impact innovation? What does history tell us about the drivers of innovation? In Where Good Ideas Come From, Steven Johnson contends that good ideas and novel innovations are largely the result of social collaboration. He argues that capitalist competition can get in the way of this productive cooperation. Continue reading to understand Johnson’s view of the connection between capitalism and innovation.

The Second Turning: America’s Consciousness Revolution

How did the assassination of John F. Kennedy affect America? How did parenting styles change after the 1950s? What reenergized the Republican Party? According to historian William Strauss and consultant Neil Howe, Anglo-American history goes in phases, which they call Turnings. Each Turning has its own characteristics. They say that the Second Turning is an awakening of sorts, and they call the most recent one “the Consciousness Revolution.” Read more to learn about Second Turnings in general and America’s most recent Second Turning, from 1964 to 1984.

Geothermal Energy in the US: Pros, Cons, & Future Prospects

Why aren’t we using more geothermal energy in the US? What are the benefits of switching to geothermal energy? America is the world’s leading producer of geothermal energy—but that currently generates less than 1% of the nation’s power. The US hopes to see geothermal generate 8.5% of electricity by 2050, but the cost and accessibility to tap the resource pose significant challenges. Below we’ll explore what geothermal energy is, its benefits and downsides, and prospects for its expansion.

Does the U.S. Need New Banking Rules After the Fall of SVB?

What are the pros and cons of adopting new banking rules in the U.S.? Do we need stronger banking regulations? Banking regulations are a hotly debated topic in the U.S. currently, with some arguing that they provide essential consumer protections and others contending that they stifle competition and innovation. Now, with the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, there’s an even greater push for new banking rules. Read on to learn about the debate over new U.S. banking rules, based on various experts’ perspectives.

Is the Housing Market Crashing? What the Experts Predict

Suburban Flight and The Role of The Government

Is the housing market crashing or is it normalizing? Why do experts offer varied viewpoints on this subject? As the U.S. emerges from the pandemic-fueled housing boom—with high mortgage rates, a potential recession, and now the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank—many are wondering if the housing market is crashing again. As experts offer differing opinions, it can be difficult to determine the market’s future. Read on to discover experts’ viewpoints on the housing market and whether it’s crashing or normalizing.

Fear Not: The Climate Catastrophe Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

What are the projections for climate-related deaths? Will climate change crash the economy? Climate activists have misled the public into thinking there’s proof that our actions have led to global warming and possible climate catastrophe, according to former energy industry scientist Steven E. Koonin. On the contrary, he argues, the facts about climate change are far from certain. Continue reading to learn why Koonin believes that we’re not headed for a climate catastrophe.