Not a blog but a "q-and-a" (pronounced "quanda"), this page is about the basics of economics. Its premise: there are no stupid q's. And if some a's seem dim, take heart: I can brighten them up in response to objections, corrections, refinements. Comments on posts feature yours, and my responses. Enough of you now frequent and query the quanda that I post most every day. Haven't seen your q yet? Send it again. All a's should be taken with a shaker of sodium chloride, if not a Lot's-wife's-worth. And speaking of salt, the mustache and "hair" in the photo has a lot less of that condiment, and rather more pepper, than can be seen on TV. Think of it as time travel.
Ask Ellen Ruppel Shell, Author of 'Cheap', Your Questions About the High Cost of Discounts
Paul Solman: Tonight's NewsHour will feature an interview with Ellen Ruppel Shell about her new book, Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture. Our brains are practically hard-wired to love a bargain. But do we then end up with products we don't really need? (Do I really want those Window gel clings?) And what effect does our love of bargains really have on product quality, the environment, wages, and international trade? (Where do the shrimp in frozen shrimp pad Thai -- the ones on sale for a steal -- come from?) How much is that doggie in the window really worth? (Okay, no doggies in the window, but you get the idea.)
I've had a chance to ask Shell my questions. Now it's your turn. I'll be asking her your questions in an Insider Forum later this week. So, give her your best shot. You can submit questions in the comments section below or in the comments box to the right. Softballs accepted, but the harder the question, the more likely it'll move to the top of the list.
TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/mt4/mt-tb.cgi/1549
Comments
Ask Ellen Ruppel Shell, Author of 'Cheap', Your Questions About the High Cost of Discounts
**Paul Solman:** Tonight's NewsHour will feature an interview with Ellen Ruppel Shell about her new book, "Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture":http://www.amazon.com/Cheap-High-Cost-Discount-Culture/dp/159420215X. Our brains are practically hard-wired to love a bargain. But do we then end up with products we don't really need? (Do I really want those Window gel clings?) And what effect does our love of bargains really have on product quality, the environment, wages, and international trade? (Where do the shrimp in frozen shrimp pad Thai -- the ones on sale for a steal -- come from?) How much is that doggie in the window really worth? (Okay, no doggies in the window, but you get the idea.)
I've had a chance to ask Shell my questions. **Now it's your turn.** I'll be asking her your questions in an Insider Forum later this week. So, give her your best shot. **You can submit questions in the comments section below or in the comments box to the right.** Softballs accepted, but the harder the question, the more likely it'll move to the top of the list.
