1681. Companies Don’t Need Regulation to Cut Back on “Excessive Packaging”
Art Carden argues that companies like Amazon and Costco have valid reasons for their packaging choices, suggesting they don't need regulation to address perceived excesses.
1682. NTSB faults Boeing for lack of safety protocols in 737 Max door plug blowout
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1683. Correction: What are inflation surprises telling us about tariffs?
Claudia Sahm corrects her previous discussion on PPI trade services, clarifying how tariffs affect acquisition costs and margins for wholesalers and retailers.
1684. Tuesday's Assorted Links
The author discusses various economic principles illustrated through recent news stories and offers resources for educators, highlighting Tisha Bennett Sanders' referral success.
1685. Fed Chair Jerome Powell says tariff uncertainty warrants caution on rate cuts
Alina Selyukh discusses Jerome Powell's caution regarding rate cuts due to tariff-related uncertainties affecting inflation.
1686. Strikes on Iran Were by the US Government, Not Its People
The discussion centers on the obedience to political authorities, nationalism's role in conflict, and the misrepresentation of military actions in political discourse.
1687. Military Action and Linguistic Shortcuts
Pierre Lemieux discusses the relationship between nationalism, obedience to authority, and the implications of linguistic shortcuts in political discourse following military actions.
1688. Why Big Tech Turned Against Democrats — and Democracy
Paul Krugman discusses the shift of Big Tech's support from Democrats to Republicans, highlighting the implications for democracy and public trust in technology.
1689. Zohran Mamdani's policies will (mostly) not bring abundance to NYC
Noah Smith critiques Zohran Mamdani's policies, arguing they may not lead to economic abundance in NYC despite his progressive vision and focus on government effectiveness.
1690. Case-Shiller: National House Price Index Up 2.7% year-over-year in April
National house prices increased 2.7% year-over-year in April, with regional variations and signs of a maturing market driven by fundamentals rather than speculation.
1691. A wedding in Lucca, Pizzas at a party outside of town, and working
Scott Cunningham shares his experiences navigating Lucca while preparing for a wedding, reflecting on personal anecdotes and the joy of exploration in unfamiliar places.
1692. Salvadoran journalist's arrest in Georgia sets 'alarming precedent'
A journalist's arrest raises concerns about freedom of speech and sets a troubling precedent for press rights.
1693. New Zealand: The Birthplace of Inflation Targeting
The post discusses New Zealand's pioneering role in adopting inflation targeting as a central bank policy, emphasizing its political origins and the economic context of the 1980s.
1694. A Very Early Look at 2026 Cost-Of-Living Adjustments and Maximum Contribution Base
Bill McBride discusses early projections for 2026 cost-of-living adjustments and the maximum contribution base based on current CPI-W data.
1695. What to know about Jeff Bezos' upcoming Venice wedding — and the protests against it
The upcoming wedding of Bezos in Venice faces protests from locals concerned about overtourism and prioritization of the event over community needs.
1696. The Surprising Economics of Love Island
The post explores the economic principles behind the reality show Love Island, particularly focusing on the stable marriage problem and its implications for pairing participants.
1697. Have Appliances Declined in Durability?
Alex Tabarrok discusses the modest decline in appliance durability, attributing it to consumer preferences, regulatory changes, and economic factors rather than corporate negligence.
1698. Home sales just posted their slowest May in 16 years
Laurel Wamsley discusses the decline in home sales in May, despite an increase in available homes, due to high mortgage rates and economic uncertainty.
1699. MAGA Will Devastate Rural America
The post highlights how Trump's policies, particularly cuts to social programs, will disproportionately harm rural Americans who largely supported him, undermining their economic stability.
1700. NAR: Existing-Home Sales Increased to 4.03 million SAAR in May; Down 0.7% YoY
Bill McBride discusses the NAR's report on existing-home sales, noting a slight monthly increase but a year-over-year decline in sales figures.