Economics & Work
If you have a 401(k), you’re an investor. Geopolitics will affect your financial security
Geopolitics is not a magic 8-ball. But making financial decisions — such as those regarding retirement — in a multipolar world without geopolitics is akin to flying blind in a storm.
Can you spot pseudo-profound financial bullshit? There’s a test for that
"A cheap loan is beyond all new destiny." Does that mean anything to you?
10 benefits of bilingualism, according to science
Learning another language might make you richer, sexier, and smarter. Why not try it?
Staring at an image of yourself on Zoom has serious mental health effects
The effects are even worse for women.
Micro-credentials may be the future of education
Volunteering at a food bank, doing a coding workshop, or taking an online course might earn you micro-credentials.
Want to get rich? Major in economics
Majoring in economics can boost a graduate's early-career income by several thousand dollars, at least for those who live in California.
Why the metaverse can’t exist without a blockchain
If the metaverse is money, then companies will certainly want to play, too.
Behind the crypto hype is an ideology of social change
On forums, “true bitcoiners” didn’t talk about technology or crypto. Instead, they talked about trust and corruption.
Even after lockdowns eased, pandemic depression persisted across social classes
Wealth was a cushion, but even being well-off did not protect people from the harmful effects of pandemic stressors.
How the Protestant Reformation set the stage for the Scientific Revolution
By toppling medieval Europe’s mightiest political power, the Protestant Reformation ushered in a new age of freedom, religious and otherwise.
Global living standards have soared since the 19th century. Why are some regions left behind?
Understanding the factors behind recent growth could help us better approach inequality.
The Economic Weapon: How sanctions became a tool of modern war
We pretend as if economic sanctions are a peaceful way to coerce others into behaving. In reality, they are a potent tool of modern warfare.
Bar chart races: short on analysis, but fun to watch
Any dataset that can be quantified over time can be turned into a contest that is both exciting and (a little bit) enlightening.
The stigma over being a stay-at-home dad holds everyone back
Too many people still view stay-at-home dads as feckless deadbeats, but their acceptance is an important step toward gender equality.
How China could become the world’s largest economy much sooner than expected
Some economists predict China's economy will overtake the U.S. economy by 2028.
Even in the digital age, libraries are an investment in children
Investments in public libraries are a long-term investment in children and communities.
There are six types of worker, this study says. Which one are you?
Are you a striver or a pioneer?
Techno-optimism and the rule-of-threes: why the world will soon enter an era of mass flourishing
Historically, periods of mass flourishing are underpinned by technological revolutions. Currently, we are undergoing a technological revolution unlike anything the world has ever seen.
Debt-to-GDP ratio: No country owes more than Japan
The U.S. has the world's largest debt in absolute terms, but Japan's is the largest when measured in terms of its debt-to-GDP ratio.
The better you are at math, the more money seems to influence your satisfaction
Those that were the best at math didn't even show income satiation — there was no upper limit to how much money could make them happy.
The history of the end of poverty has just begun
The decline of global poverty is one of the most important achievements in history, but the end of poverty is still very far away.
What AI cannot do
It is often assumed that AI will become so advanced that the technology will be able to do anything. In reality, there are limits.
How cybercriminals turn paper checks stolen from mailboxes into bitcoin
Someone breaks into a mailbox that stores letters waiting to be sent and grabs some of them in hopes they’ll contain a check that’s been filled in. That's just the start.
Habitat for Humanity builds 3D-printed house in 28 hours
Made from concrete, it cost 15% less per square foot to construct than a typical house.
World economy in 2022: the big factors to watch closely
Is 2022 the year the economy recovers?
Get ready for a new Roaring Twenties
Unlike the first Roaring Twenties, these won’t end with a Great Depression.
Here’s why immigrants to the U.S. are “job makers” more often than “job takers”
The results of a recent study counter some common claims found in anti-immigration narratives.
Married people earn more than single individuals. Here’s why.
A recent study offers new insights into the so-called marriage wage premium.
Six big digital trends to watch in 2022
Hybrid working, robot fast food workers, and the rapid acceleration of NFTs are just the beginning.