Why We Want Higher Face Mask Prices

Rather than gouging or profiteering, higher prices are best described as the incentives we need to boost the world’s face mask supply.

The Big French Fry Crunch

Because of bad weather in parts of Canada and the major U.S. growing states, we could have a potato shortage that creates a French fry crunch.

Why Romaine Lettuce is Like a 737 Max

In 1998, a batch of pencils had to be recalled. Destined for grade school classes, the pencils said “Too Cool To Do Drugs.” Problems developed when the kids sharpened the pencils and instead they said “Cool To Do Drugs.” When…

What Uber Can Teach Us About Tips

Looking at 40 million trips, researchers concluded that Uber’s tips can be surprising because of the rider characteristics that determine how much.

How a Common Application Affected College Admissions

At highly selective schools, 2019 college admission rates were pretty low: Harvard: 4.5% Yale: 5.91% Stanford: 4.3% in 2018 (They are no longer releasing the number.) But we are looking at a tiny proportion of the higher education population. At…

Why World Series Ticket Prices Are Soaring

Because baseball fans from Washington D.C. have waited 86 years for their team to reach the top, their World Series ticket prices are soaring.

All You Need To Know About An Egg Glut

To explain what has been called an egg glut, we can look at egg laying hens, at the changing number of eggs they produce, and at our egg consumption.

The Lid on the Pot Industry

While states find it’s tough to predict marijuana tax revenue, they can assume that higher rates will nudge consumers toward black markets.

The Downside of Vegan Leather

With meat demand going up and leather demand going down, the cowhide industry has a devastating supply and a demand problem.

Why An Economist Might Like a Restaurant Queue

Because a restaurant queue can help supply and demand, some eating establishments create the signal that it sends to diners.