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Analysis

A return to subsistence farming won’t aid economic recovery

Written by Gavin Chait
26
Nov
2009

Getting rich ... not at allBeing a child in the world’s poorest nations is not idyllic.  Widespread poverty means that many have to work to support their families.  This limits their access to education and damages their health.  The Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that over 150 million children under the age of 18 work in agriculture.  For that, read subsistence farming.

Poverty is a result of inefficiency; of repetitive tasks performed in such a way that it imposes the maximum burden on a person’s time and effort while returning the bare minimum for their survival.  The specialisation that results from division of labour leads to a greater return on that effort.  It also leaves time for innovation.  That innovation triggers further division of labour and creates more opportunities and wealth.

Read more: A return to subsistence farming won’t aid economic recovery
 

American healthcare reform is merely a warm-up for the rest of us

Written by Gavin Chait
19
Nov
2009

Obamaqueues for ObamacareThose opposed are accusing US President Barack Obama of attempting to set up death committees to kill the aged.  Those in favour suggest that their opponents are delusional traitors.

Welcome to the debate over US healthcare reform.  The world’s wealthiest nation is in a lather over a proposal that hasn’t even been officially formulated yet.  Both sides yank in the UK’s National Health Service as proof of their cause.

Read more: American healthcare reform is merely a warm-up for the rest of us
   

Getting the most out of a toaster

Written by Gavin Chait
12
Nov
2009

How much per slice?Those in the market for a new household toaster are spoiled for choice.  There are colours and styles to suite all tastes and budgets; from the cheapest Sunbeam at around $10, right through to the epically-priced Bosch Porsche for over $200.

If the kids are showing a ravenous appetite for hot-buttered, jam-covered toast, you might splash out on a hardwearing, daily work-horse for around $75. If it lasts two years and you make five to six slices a day, then that works out at about 1.8 cents a slice.

Read more: Getting the most out of a toaster
   

Cash for junk, will it revive economies?

Written by Gavin Chait
05
Nov
2009

Junk, anyone?The global economic crisis has created a cascade of financial problems.  Banks won’t, or can’t, lend.  Consumers move to protect their incomes and stop spending.  Retailers order less stock and lay off staff.  Manufacturers produce less, and lay off staff.  Which produces fewer consumers, who spend less.

The cycle repeats with production being chased down by falling spending.  Governments have responded in a number of ways: by increasing government expenditure on large state-driven projects, like healthcare or infrastructure or IT; by lending vast amounts of cash to banks at low interest rates with the proviso that they then lend to consumers; by intervening directly to give cash to consumers.

Read more: Cash for junk, will it revive economies?
   

Get your money for nothing and your mp3s for free

Written by Gavin Chait
29
Oct
2009

Making theft sexyOn 31 July 2009, Joel Tenenbaum, a 25-year-old Boston University graduate student, was fined $675,000 for sharing 30 songs over the KaZaA peer-to-peer file-sharing network.  The charges were brought by the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) in a case they had to win.

Tenenbaum was certainly foolish.  More than two years before he was charged, he was approached by the RIAA and asked to stop.  He refused.  Even during his trial, he continued to distribute.

Read more: Get your money for nothing and your mp3s for free
   

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