Archive for the ‘THE INDICATOR’ Category
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/10/12/923123253/an-economist-walks-into-a-bar
This podcast discusses how many groundbreaking ideas were discovered at bars and how they could potentially foster innovation. Individuals like Mike Andrews have researched this through studying the number of patents filed during Prohibition. Andrews found that innovation is mainly sparked through connections made with other individuals. As seen with the Covid-19 pandemic, individuals are still finding remote ways to foster innovation through technologies like Zoom.
Original Air Date: October 12,2020
Length: 9 minutes 59 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/04/23/843437140/the-great-potato-giveaway
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the agriculture supply chain has been suffering. Although the shelves at grocery stores are not fully stocked, farmers are giving away their goods, or even turning it into fertilizer.
Original Air Date: April 23 2020
Length: 9 minutes 25 seconds
Discussion Prompt: How will this affect the agriculture industry? What does this tell us about how these markets are functioning? What solutions can you propose which would help the industry financially?
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/04/09/831325721/why-sweden-isnt-locking-down
The majority of countries across the globe are enforcing mandatory lockdowns, but not Sweden. All businesses are remaining open, including schools, night clubs and gyms. Sweden’s head epidemiologist states that this approach is more sustainable and less disruptive to peoples’ lives.
Original Air Date: April 9, 2020
Length: 9 minutes 57 seconds
Discussion Prompt: Do you agree or disagree with Sweden’s approach to this pandemic? Why or why not?
Note: Sweden’s chief epidemiologist has since admitted this policy resulted in “too many deaths“
Link: https://www.npr.org/2020/04/07/829264795/coronavirus-and-the-gig-economy
Delivery and service workers are considered essential right now. Without them, the economy would likely be in even more trouble than it already is. That being said, they are paid a very low wage, and some are not even being provided with adequate protection such as masks and gloves.
Original Air Date: April 7, 2020
Length: 9 minutes 56 seconds
Discussion Prompt: With the current increased demand for Instacart and other grocery delivery services, do you think demand will stay high after the pandemic? Use economic thinking to analyze what you think is happening in the market now. How do you think will this market change once the pandemic ends?
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/02/02/582843102/how-are-they-doing-now
Summary: When the recession hit, many workers within the United States not only lost their jobs, but they also had to cut back a significant amount of their hours. In this podcast, THE INDICATOR checks on three groups to see how they are doing now, part-time workers who want to be full-time, African-American unemployment, and people without college degrees.
Original Air Date: February 2, 2018
Length: 5 minutes 34 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/01/31/582224091/janet-yellen-s-mystery-story
Summary: Former head of the Federal Reserve of America, Janet Yellen, communicated about inflation, uncertainty, and monetary policy in one of her speeches last fall. With the current low inflation, the Fed hopes more consumers go out and purchase more goods to help reach the ideal inflation in the country. But as inflation remains low, the Fed is left puzzling over this mystery.
Original Air Date: January 31, 2018
Length: 6 minutes 48 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/01/12/577710151/the-recession-predictor
Summary: There appears to be fear that another recession is approaching the United States, but what are the warning signs for the country’s economy? From talks about inflation, interest rates, and borrowing, the yield curve is known to be a powerful and the most accurate predictor of recessions.
Original Air Date: January 12, 2018
Length: 9 minutes 5 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/02/01/582510662/what-america-sells-to-the-world
Summary: From imports to exports of goods and services, America’s exports are significantly varied. The top three categories of goods that the U.S. exports to other countries are refined oil products, airplanes, and cars. In this podcast, THE INDICATOR discusses the $2.2 trillion of exports the U.S. ships across the world each year.
Original Air Date: February 1, 2018
Length: 6 minutes 14 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/02/14/585844313/stimulus-response
Summary: What would a liberal economist say about the state of America’s economy today? THE INDICATOR discusses how the country’s economy may need some form of stimulus to boost further economic growth. However, would the benefits of the short run stimulus for the economy that we say we need, outweigh the cost of the long-term tax cuts?
Original Air Date: February 14, 2018
Length: 6 minutes 30 seconds
Link: https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2018/01/19/579231506/therise-and-fall-and-rise-of-oil-prices
Summary: Oil prices have been fluctuating over the years, but when there is a price increase, many people may experience increases in the price of gas, heating, or a flight ticket back home as well. With the volatility of oil prices, what does this mean for determining future prices of oil and will these prices ever stabilize?
Original Air Date: January 19, 2018
Length: 7 minutes 4 seconds
