Making Sen$e

May 21, 2012

Helping High School Youth Learn by Doing

Fictional Thriller Tackles Dangers of High-Frequency Trading
March 15, 2012
Part of his series on Making $ense of financial news, economics correspondent Paul Solman spoke with author Robert Harris whose fictional take on Wall Street, "The Fear Index," stresses the dangers of algorithm-driven, high-frequency trading.
Was Charles Darwin the Father of Economics as Well?
March 13, 2012
What does the work of Charles Darwin have to do with economics? As part of his reporting on Making Sen$e of financial news, Paul Solman talks to Robert H. Frank, author of "The Darwin Economy: Liberty, Competition, and the Common Good," about the connection between economics and the father of evolution.
'Accordion' Families Expand for Boomerang Kids, 'Parasite Singles' to Move Home
Feb. 14, 2012
In her new book, "The Accordion Family," sociologist Katherine Newman examines why more young adults in the world's wealthiest countries are returning home to live with their parents -- a phenomenon that Paul Solman has come across repeatedly in his reporting on global economic problems as part of his Making Sen$e series.
New Consumer Watchdog Richard Cordray Makes First Appearance on Capitol Hill
Jan. 24, 2012
Richard Cordray, the new federal consumer watchdog, visited Capitol Hill Tuesday and defended the Obama administration's agenda to skeptical Republicans. Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports.
Watchdog-in-Chief Richard Cordray Outlines Plan to Clean Up Consumer Lending
Jan. 23, 2012
Economics correspondent Paul Solman examines the controversial appointment of Richard Cordray to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Paul quizzes the tough-on-crime former Ohio attorney general and former "Jeopardy" champ about his appointment's legality, his plans to police financial firms and some Bible trivia.
Taxes: How High Is Too High?
Jan. 11, 2012
Economics correspondent Paul Solman explores the question of just how high U.S. tax rates should or shouldn't be and examines the relationship between economic activity and tax rates. It's part of his ongoing reporting series, Making Sen$e of financial news.
Making Sen$e: Rich Shopper, Poor Shopper
Dec. 22, 2011
As part of his series on Making Sen$e of financial news, business and economics correspondent Paul Solman explores how retailers are faring in an economy that's increasingly divided between the haves and the have-nots.
What Do Tax Rates' Ups and Downs Mean for Economic Growth?
Dec. 12, 2011
Do higher tax rates slow economic growth? As part of his reporting on Making Sen$e of financial news, economics correspondent Paul Solman takes a look at the history of taxes.
Why Are Conservatives Happier Than Liberals?
Dec. 9, 2011
How do feelings about ideology and economic inequality affect a person's happiness? As part of his reporting of Making Sen$e of financial news, economics correspondent Paul Solman explores the connection and asks some liberals at Occupy DC and conservatives at the American Enterprise Institute to grade their own happiness.
Creating Jobs in the Volunteer State: Why Are Employers Reluctant to Hire?
Dec. 2, 2011
Republicans have been saying that businesses aren't hiring because of uncertainty about regulation, the cost of health insurance and the cost of borrowing money. As part of his reporting on Making Sen$e of financial news, Paul Solman traveled to Tennessee to see if companies are creating more paying jobs in the Volunteer State.
Was Charles Darwin the Father of Economics as Well?
Nov. 18, 2011
What does the work of Charles Darwin have to do with economics? As part of his reporting on Making Sen$e of financial news, Paul Solman talks to Robert H. Frank, author of "The Darwin Economy: Liberty, Competition, and the Common Good," about the connection between economics and the father of evolution.
Why a Lesson in Money Plus Math Equals Financial Stability
Nov. 14, 2011
Sheila Bair, known for her tenacity and contrarian tenure as chairwoman of the FDIC, has a message she wants everyone to learn:Don't buy an inflatable moose head for your wall.
Job-Seeking Vets Confront Stigma of 'Falling Behind' While Deployed
Nov. 11, 2011
More than 12 percent of the roughly 2 million Iraq and Afghanistan veterans were jobless last month, compared to 9 percent of the total population. As part of his reporting on Making Sen$e of financial news, Paul Solman looks at the problems many service members face in finding a job back home.
'The Buyout of America' Author on Occupy Wall Street Protests
Nov. 7, 2011
A year ago July, we did a story on "private equity" featuring journalist Josh Kosman, who'd written a book, "The Buyout of America." Recently, on a visit to Zuccotti Park, we ran into Kosman and asked him about the Occupy Wall Street movement.
For Undocumented Workers, It's Not-so-Sweet Home Alabama
Oct. 28, 2011
The controversial Alabama immigration law, know as HB 56, instructs employers to check a worker's immigration status with the government's E-Verify system. Paul Solman reports from Alabama on how one of the nation's toughest immigration laws affects workers and employers.
Does U.S. Economic Inequality Have a Good Side?
Oct. 26, 2011
A new Congressional Budget Office analysis supports the idea that income inequality has grown considerably over the past few decades. As part of his Making Sen$e series on economic inequality, Paul Solman talks to libertarian law professor Richard Epstein, who argues that wealth inequality acts as a driving force for innovation.
Michael Lewis' 'Boomerang': 'Money Thrown Out in Hope, Coming Back in Anger'
Oct. 21, 2011
What caused the economic troubles in Iceland, Greece, Ireland, Germany and elsewhere? Author Michael Lewis has some controversial theories involving sweeping character assessments of each nation. Lewis -- known for "Money Ball" and "The Blind Side" -- discusses his new book, "Boomerang," with economics correspondent Paul Solman.
Chinese Housing Bubble: A Troubling Update from Beijing
Oct. 14, 2011
In this latest dispatch from China, stand-up economist Yoram Bauman explores the possibility of a Beijing housing bubble.
Alabama's Immigration Law: Assessing the Economic, Social Impact
Oct. 13, 2011
The economical and social effects of Alabama's new immigration law are starting to show. Judy Woodruff discusses the impact with Grow Alabama's Jerry Spencer, State Rep. Mike Ball, R-Huntsville, and the Rosa Toussaint-Ortiz of the Hispanic-Latino Advisory Committee.
Georgia Works Jobs Training Program: a Peach or the Pits?
Oct. 12, 2011
One provision of President Obama's jobs bill that has some bipartisan support is modeled after a program in Georgia that allows employers to try out workers for eight weeks on a volunteer basis while the person receives unemployment benefits and training. Paul Solman explores Georgia Works' pros and cons, plus its scalability.
W, V, U or L: How Is the Economic Recovery Shaping Up, Literally?
Oct. 7, 2011
The latest unemployment figures out Friday reinforce the notion that the U.S. economy remains weak when compared to recoveries of the past. As part of his reporting on Making Sen$e of financial news, Paul Solman visits with economist Simon Johnson for a checkup on what shape the economic recovery is taking.
'Occupy Wall Street' Protests Give Voice to Anger Over Greed, Corporate Culture
Oct. 5, 2011
The protests against Wall Street gained new momentum on Wednesday, when union members and students joined the demonstration and marched through the streets of lower Manhattan. Paul Solman visits the budding movement's base camp.
Inequality Hurts: The Unhealthy Side Effects of Economic Disparity
Sept. 28, 2011
As part of our series on economic inequality, Paul Solman investigates the health effects that inequality can have on individuals and society. To determine the hidden costs, he speaks with epidemiologists, former six-figure income earners who are chronically unemployed and poor teenagers who struggle with inequality each day.
Do Social Safety Net Programs Shrink Gap in U.S. Economic Inequality?
Sept. 21, 2011
As part of Paul Solman's reporting on Making Sen$e of financial news, The NewsHour has been airing a series on economic inequality. The widening wealth gap in America was examined in a past report, but economist Bob Lerman says those data are flawed because they do not include the value of Social Security and health insurance.
Can America's Jobless Fill American Jobs?
Sept. 2, 2011
With the U.S. unemployment rate stuck around 9 percent, economics correspondent Paul Solman explores whether widespread joblessness is simply the result of a weak economy or if a broader shift toward higher-skill work is occurring that could leave many Americans behind even when the economy recovers.

Downloadable Gun Parts, Personalized Bioterror: the Downside of Innovation

April 26, 2012

Through innovation and technology, California think tank Singularity University aims to push the frontiers of progress. But what happens when high-tech advances end up in the wrong hands? Economics correspondent Paul Solman raises some disturbing questions as part of his ongoing reporting series, Making Sen$e of financial news.

The Unemployment Paradox: Why Job Seekers, Employers Aren't Connecting

April 6, 2012

Tech's Next Feats? Maybe On-Demand Kidneys, Robot Sex, Cheap Solar, Lab Meat

April 20, 2012

Author Charles Murray: Elites Should Teach Working Class How to Live

March 20, 2012

The super-educated upper class is out of touch but it could teach lower classes better ways to live, according to conservative lightning rod Charles Murray. As part of his series on Making Sen$e of financial news, Paul Solman speaks with Murray about his new book, "Coming Apart," which examines America's "class society."