Author Archive

How The Internet Got Ruined   Leave a comment

Chaos Computer Club Annual CongressLink: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/041917-mtech

Summary: “Move Fast and Break Things” is a newly released book about the monopolistic market structure of the internet.  Marketplace interviews Jonathan Taplin, the author of the book, who is the tour manager for Bob Dylan.  They discuss how the monopoly structure set up by the technology companies has ruined the communal nature of the internet. Also discussed is one silicon valley entrepreneur who left San Francisco for Minneapolis.

Original Air Date: April 19, 2017

Length: 7 minutes 35 seconds

Is Hacktivism a Force for Good…or Chaos?   Leave a comment

hacktivismLink: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/04262017-mtech

Summary: Hacktivism is a topic for debate with the latest flurry of activity on the internet.  Marketplace interviews a former hacktivist, who served time, but now is at a security firm.  They discuss the value of hacktivism, and how technology’s role affects government.  Also discussed is Phoenix’s rise as a technology hub, with autonomous cars being tested in Arizona.

Original Air Date: April 26, 2017

Length: 7 minutes 25 seconds

The Evolution of the Show “Archer”   Leave a comment

archer2Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/04202017-mtech

Summary: “Archer” debuted when the internet was taking off. Marketplace interviews the show’s technical director and actress about the role the internet plays in the success of the show.  Marketplace also introduces Philadelphia’s reaction to Silicon Valley, and the recruitment of tech workers to the city.

Original Air Date: April 20, 2017

Length: 7 minutes 13 seconds

Should We Be Able to Access Academic Articles Without Paywalls?   Leave a comment

library_3Link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/04252017-mtech

Summary: Students in college can attest that credible sources needed for a research paper are often hard to find, especially the free ones.  Marketplace introduces a new website that is the latest form of “hacktivism”, and is releasing research papers for free.  Marketplace also introduces the competition between YouTube and Twitch.

Original Air Date: April 25, 2017

Length: 7 minutes

Self Checkout   Leave a comment

self-checkout-936a66b9e1191573547895056746862815fc30b3-s1600-c85-jfifLink: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/10/19/498571623/episode-730-self-checkout

Summary: Self checkout has become a staple in grocery stores, but back in 1992 they were considered a laughing stock.  Planet Money discusses self checkout with their creator, and considers what impact automation has on service and employment.

Original Air Date: October 19, 2016

Length: 20 minutes 27 seconds

 

Cat Scam   Leave a comment

cat-picture-f5c39c93daa03f62c6eda4f68f3106dc0ff6d7cb-s1600-c85.jfifLink: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/09/14/493810206/episode-724-cat-scam

Summary: The internet was supposed to eliminate middlemen, creating an area where consumers can buy directly from the manufacturers.  However, the internet is filled with middlemen to the point that middlemen are worried about other middlemen.  Planet Money discusses how the biggest companies on the internet (eBay and Amazon) are middlemen.

Original Air Date: September 14, 2016

Length: 21 minutes 5 seconds

Pub In A Box   Leave a comment

tigin-irish-pub-jfk7-495327b4eee1022a05b5beafa9f476a3da8fb717-s1600-c85.jfifLink: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2017/04/12/523653040/episode-764-pub-in-a-box

Summary: Irish Pubs are everywhere, even in places like Hong Kong and the Ivory Coast.  One architecture student from Ireland, Mel McNally, began selling the Irish Pub to other areas.  Planet Money discusses how the Irish Pub is shipped in a box all over the world, and people will flock to it.

Original Air Date: April 12, 2017

Length: 17 minutes 19 seconds

Discussion Question: Who are Mel’s competitors in the market if he has control of the Irish Pub concept? What is the market structure?

A Report From the Land of Quarterly Profits and Losses   Leave a comment

Yahoo! Reports Drop In Profit But Rise In Sales In Q2Link: http://wwno.org/post/04192017-report-land-quarterly-profits-and-losses

Summary: In this marketplace podcast, they discuss the latest earnings of Yahoo, IBM and Volkswagen.  Marketplace also introduces two cities that are changing; New York City and Pittsburgh.  New York City is looking to disallow employers from asking candidates about past salary, and Pittsburgh is trying to shake the “Steel City” nickname for “Robo-burgh”.

Original Air Date: April 19, 2017

Length: 6 minutes 50 seconds

Can Samsung Give Us What We Really Want?   Leave a comment

SKOREA-SAMSUNG-TELECOMMUNICATIONSLink: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/04212017-mtech

Summary: After the failure of the S7, Samsung has released the S8 hoping to bait customers into switching from the iPhone.  Marketplace introduces whether or not the S8 is ready to take over market share from the iPhone.  They also introduce how using technology in Arizona has affected tourism.

Original Air Date: April 21, 2017

Length: 6 minutes 26 seconds

Discussion Question: Explain the market of tourism; who are the competitors? How is market share achieved? What role does technology play? Also, is there demand for Samsung, or are they too far behind on the iPhone?

Posted August 8, 2017 by jamezweb in Discussion prompt, Efficiency, Incentives, Market structure, Technology

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Delicious Cake Futures   Leave a comment

ap_948883364526-138b1075ab392570cbb41a99fa639c639b34c0f7-s1600-c85.jfifLink: http://www.npr.org/sections/money/2016/01/06/462149561/episode-15-delicious-cake-futures

Summary: An elementary lunch room has more economics involved then one would think.  Snacks are the currency, and the trading is of the food.  In this story, Planet Money discusses how one kid developed a derivative for a cake, by trading for snacks now for a piece of the cake later.

Original Air Date: March 9, 2009

Length: 15 minutes 16 seconds