From the category archives:

Economy

Are My Online Purchases More Rational?

November 4, 2009

I’ve been shifting a lot more of my shopping online. Time is scarce. Convenience and price are paramount.
What I find interesting is that I believe this is making my consumption more rational. I’m less taken by emotional connection, because I’m not actually touching, feeling and listening to or smelling a product before purchase. I’m not [...]

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A Better Bednet Approach

October 26, 2009

It’s easy and often justified to be critical of aid and development. I do it. Others do it. But sometimes it helps to remind ourselves that it can work well. Take this example, of a market generation project to set up a mosquito net industry in seven countries (via Alanna Shaikh).
“In a decade-long initiative to [...]

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Shot of the Day: Jeffrey Sachs

October 21, 2009

I attended a lecture last night with Jeffrey Sachs, put on by the James Martin 21st Century School. Matt at Aid Thoughts has broken it down nicely (although may have wanted more detail than was possible in such a broad, short lecture), so I don’t have to here. If anyone’s really interested, the talk should [...]

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The Economics of Prostitution

October 5, 2009

Through arrest stats, database mug shots and (get this) a partnership with pimps and prostitutes in two Chicago neighbourhoods, economists Levitt and Venkatesh were able to get transaction details of 2200 tricks performed by 160 prostitutes. Here are some findings:
Prostitution is highly concentrated (nearly half occurs within 0.33% of the area), near major roads, train [...]

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Momentum Behind Market Solutions for the Rural Poor

August 28, 2009

Seth Godin seems to be backing Acumen Fund, most recently in this nice post. But he’s not just pitching Acumen, he understands, and outlines the approach nicely.
On the potential impact when the rural poor can create a small buffer:
“From a fundraising point of view, this endless emergency is exactly what a non-profit needs to find [...]

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Shot of the Day: A More Even, Better Pie

August 18, 2009

“We think that a good society makes trade-offs between protecting the unfortunate and encouraging initiative and self-help – between giving everyone a decent share of the pie and increasing the size of the pie.”
- Thaler and Sunstein, Nudge
I couldn’t agree more.
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Check out more:  Ethiopia - Canada - Our World - Development - Economy - Shots of [...]

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The End of Print?

August 10, 2009

Is this what the end of print looks like? Borders closing in Oxford Circus, London.

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Check out more:  Our World - Culture - Economy - The Lens
       

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Shot of the Day: Good Redistribution

August 5, 2009

Wealth redistribution is not the answer. Opportunity redistribution is.
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Check out more: Africa - Ethiopia - Senegal - Our World - Development - Economy - Shots of the Day
       

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9 Reasons to Charge People for your Development Solution

August 3, 2009

Got a dynamite human development solution?
Charge people for it. Just try. Even a little.
Why?
1) The interaction brings a more balanced relationship. More equal. It requires that two people participate in the transaction, and it cannot be imposed.
2) People have dignity and pride in the fact that they’ve found a solution and invested in it themselves. [...]

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Shot of the Day: Winning on the Uphills

August 2, 2009

I’m trying not to be one of Seth Godin’s horde of followers. But it’s hard. Sometimes he makes sense. Often, even. Like in this post, where he notes that it’s the uphills that make us better. I agree.
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Check out more:  Ethiopia - Create+Build - Life+Inspiration - Development - Economy - Shots of the Day
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