Is there an 'expiry date' on your studies when it comes to being admitted to a PhD? I'm thinking of working for a while first.
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posted by moorooka
on Apr 22, 2010 -
16 answers
The volcanic activity of this past week has revealed a significant weakness in our existing infrastructure.
But what happens if Eyjafjallajokull's big sister Hekla erupts as it did in 1912? I am less interested in the most obvious impacts, but rather am fascinated by the unseen shifts that would have to occur in the background.
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posted by ghostpony
on Apr 19, 2010 -
19 answers
What are the best articles and books that thoughtfully look back and analyze the financial crisis so far and its causes?
posted by shivohum
on Apr 18, 2010 -
13 answers
Does anyone know of a quick hit economic dashboard where I can get all the economic data in a snapshot?
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posted by blahblah
on Apr 13, 2010 -
3 answers
I last flew in September and the price was 300 bucks for one way non-stop flight. Now, in April, it's 600 dollars for the non-stop, and the cheapest flight has a layover, AND is 80 (380) dollars more. Is there a reason for the large increase in flying costs these past 6 months?
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posted by symbioid
on Apr 13, 2010 -
17 answers
In an OLS regression the coefficient is b = cov(X,Y)/var(X). What is the plain english interpretation of this coefficient in terms of variations (ie. b is the variation in Y that can be explained by variation in X)?
How does this relate to r^2?
posted by bucksox
on Apr 8, 2010 -
2 answers
I just read this in passing:
"The State of Washington pretty well went broke on the Townsend Plan (during the 1930s) without getting the economic benefits it had hoped for. (I simplify, but it's a reasonable summary.)"
I can find references to
Francis Townsend, and his plan. What I haven't been able to find are any specific references to the state of Washington trying it out, with middling to bad effects. Anyone? Bueller? Thanks in advance.
posted by aurelian
on Mar 22, 2010 -
11 answers
Simple economics simulation for demonstrating economic concepts and instilling a gut feel for what various regulatory interventions would do?
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posted by ahaynes
on Mar 12, 2010 -
1 answer
Help me get my head around the rationale or philosophy behind the budget for the U.S. Department of Defense. According to my rough numbers, it is more than 10 times that of the Department of Education. What is the justification / business case? Jobs? DARPA? China? I don't get it. Please enlighten me.
posted by jasondigitized
on Mar 8, 2010 -
42 answers
Economics for clotheshorses: Help me learn how consumer goods and services & manufacturing and business practices have changed for better and/or worse.
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posted by stuck on an island
on Feb 25, 2010 -
10 answers
I've heard it said that (in theory) the advent of a cure for cancer would cause a serious financial crisis because of the vast scale of the healthcare complex devoted to current treatments. So, the obvious question: Is there any credible evidence that promising (not woo-woo) therapies for diseases such as cancer and diabetes have been derailed because of the sheer scale of financial and institutional resources invested in the status quo?
posted by dacoit
on Feb 17, 2010 -
41 answers
From a
Reuters newsreport about Greece's government response plan to their economic meltdown: "From 1. Jan. 2011, every transaction above 1,500 euros between natural persons and businesses, or between businesses, will not be considered legal if it is done in cash. Transactions will have to be done through debit or credit cards" Are they doing this for any other reason than making it easier to collect a sales tax? How can they enforce it? What will happen if someone pays for an item with over 1500 euros in cash, will someone repossess it? Have other countries done something like this?
posted by Kattullus
on Feb 15, 2010 -
6 answers
When I was in 4th (maybe 5th) grade, we were shown a series of educational programs where a dude with magical powers helped kids solve everyday problems (what leisure activity is the best? how should I invest my allowance to get what I most desire?) through basic ecnomic principles. What is this show?
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posted by codacorolla
on Feb 5, 2010 -
8 answers
The story of how Corporations became legal people using the 14th amendment is pretty famous. But that's a US phenomenon. How did it work out in other countries? Are corporations legal people in the UK, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Australia etc?
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posted by moorooka
on Jan 22, 2010 -
11 answers
Profit has been an effective motivator for progress in a variety of areas in our society. But often when left unchecked by regulation or social norms, the drive for profits leads to exploitation and abuse. What are some examples of systems where profit is still an effective driver, but where regulations do a good job of curbing abuse?
posted by parallax7d
on Jan 13, 2010 -
16 answers
What common salad bar items provide the best ratio of weight versus nutrient value for optimal cost-effectiveness?
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posted by Admiral Haddock
on Jan 8, 2010 -
20 answers
With hundreds of years of accumulated data on how economies 'work' available for analysis, how is it possible that it is still unclear (it seems) whether or not - and to what extent - a government should boost an economy that is in a slowdown?
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posted by woodblock100
on Dec 27, 2009 -
23 answers
"Sweatshops"? Overseas labor.
looking for pros and cons; discussion on how to define/evaluate whether work done overseas is beneficial or harmful for the workers and country involved.
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posted by ebesan
on Dec 19, 2009 -
24 answers
I used to have a really nice chart showing the growth of the US GDP from the early 1800s through now. I think it was a Fed chart with the recession eras shaded. Can anyone help me find this?
posted by aburd
on Dec 9, 2009 -
6 answers
What if all the major world economies defaulted on their external debts at once?
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posted by Geppp
on Dec 8, 2009 -
10 answers
Is it better, environmentally speaking, to buy a physical CD for £6 and have it mailed to me, or to buy a digital copy for £7?
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posted by mstillwell
on Nov 30, 2009 -
15 answers
Why is my energy company asking me to cut back on energy use? The grocery store doesn't try to get me to buy less food. The gas station doesn't try to help me get better mileage.
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posted by ecorrocio
on Nov 11, 2009 -
35 answers
Considering grad school for public policy, economics, international development. Help me sort out my life.
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posted by ropeladder
on Nov 3, 2009 -
8 answers
Did ancient greeks pay for their tickets to the theatre? The Romans for their seats at the Circus?
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posted by kandinski
on Oct 29, 2009 -
7 answers
[Economics101Filter] How is it that the cost of living can go up, but salaries stay the same? Economics n00b questions inside.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 26, 2009 -
27 answers
Trying to understand issues around cricket as compared to baseball -- player drafting, financing, culture/conduct, etc. -- hoping an enthusiast can help me.
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posted by jfwlucy
on Oct 19, 2009 -
16 answers
Examples of anything that conservatives DON'T think would benefit from the free market?
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posted by jnnla
on Sep 13, 2009 -
35 answers
Does anyone have any experience with the USDA Graduate School in DC? Is this an acceptable place to do prerequisites for graduate programs?
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posted by downing street memo
on Aug 25, 2009 -
16 answers
What is the difference between
spending and
consuming? And what is the meaning of "luxury goods"?
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posted by thesailor
on Aug 20, 2009 -
5 answers
Are there good articles/books that explain in detail the economics concept of fundamental demand vs. speculative demand, and how one might distinguish one from the other? What is the basis of this distinction in the economics literature and which famous economists, living or dead, talk about it (and in which of their works)?
posted by shivohum
on Jul 2, 2009 -
1 answer
Arline prices: a specific question (Italy, late September, how to minimize cost?). And a general (airline econ 101).
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posted by paultopia
on Jul 1, 2009 -
6 answers
As a former scientist, help me gain some faith in economics. What were the great successes of economics as a tool for making better decisions in the last 100 years?
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posted by zaebiz
on Jun 23, 2009 -
20 answers
Do you know any accredited post graduate program in economics that is offered completely online? I am finishing my undergraduate through distance learning and am very interested in economics. I would like to get my MA but due to my work/life schedule attending at a campus is not feasible. I have been unable to find any, but am optimistic that the filter can help me out. Thanks for your time.
posted by gibbsjd77
on Jun 11, 2009 -
2 answers
Did Keynes really say, "Capitalism is the astounding belief that the most wickedest of men will do the most wickedest of things for the greatest good of everyone."?
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posted by CCBC
on May 20, 2009 -
11 answers
Is there some database of historical market prices for commodities? As in, if I wanted to know the average market price for a tonne of salt petre in 1835 where would I look?
posted by selenized
on May 14, 2009 -
7 answers
What are the best "grand theory" books and essays purporting to explain generally how the world works - at the macro, economic/political/historical/sociological/foreign policy scale - written in or after the 20th century?
posted by shivohum
on May 12, 2009 -
24 answers
What
single book presents the most forceful argument against both Randian Objectivism and the libertarian political philosophy that presents itself (in some ways, at least) as having followed naturally from Rand's ideas?
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posted by killdevil
on May 11, 2009 -
28 answers
Looking for source of an anecdote about social capital and trust. It involves renting a car: and apparently, in some developing countries (or possibly rural China?) where there are low levels of trust of outsiders, people at first found even the idea of renting a car implausible because they can't see why you would let a stranger drive away with your car or why you would return the car to a stranger you will never see again.
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posted by Maias
on Apr 26, 2009 -
5 answers
Economicsfilter: How do mortgages work in developing countries with high rates of inflation and high interest rates? For example, Pakistan has a 20% inflation rate and the average fixed term prime residential mortgage for people with good credit is priced at 17%. What are the effects of this on a market?
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posted by thewalrus
on Apr 4, 2009 -
13 answers
