Making Sen$e Jul 19 Iran pays kidney donors. Should the U.S. follow? In the U.S., Medicare spending on dialysis accounts for nearly 1 percent of the entire federal budget, and the cost is growing. On the other hand, kidney transplants are actually less expensive and offer the possibility of getting back to…
Making Sen$e Jul 12 The highs and lows of being a professional online streamer As more people consume video online, "streaming" is the internet's version of live TV, but with instant feedback from fans. How have star streamers turned activities like taping themselves playing video games into profitable careers? Economics correspondent Paul Solman reports…
Making Sen$e Jun 28 How a new aristocracy’s self-segregation puts stress on society Growing class division is destabilizing our society, argues author and philosopher Matthew Stewart in a provocative Atlantic magazine cover story. He says there's a group in between the top 0.1 percent and bottom 90 percent that plays an important role…
Making Sen$e Jun 21 ESports mesmerize as traditional sports worry about decline It's drawn millions of fans, its competitors get paid big money and the Olympics are considering adding it. As an industry, eSports -- professionals playing video games for spectators -- is set to gross nearly $1 billion by the end…
Making Sen$e Jun 07 Cheap power drew bitcoin miners to this small city. Then came the backlash Plattsburgh, New York, doesn't look like ground zero for a gold rush. But cryptocurrency prospectors have installed thousands of energy-gobbling mining machines while taking advantage of dirt-cheap electric rates. And the invasion has some locals up in arms, while offering…
Making Sen$e May 31 Why the new global wealth of educated women spurs backlash The spread of education across developing nations is transforming global inequalities and playing a key role in closing the gender gap. Economics correspondent Paul Solman sits down with economist Surjit Bhalla and sociologist Ravinder Kaur to discuss Bhalla’s book, “The…
Making Sen$e May 31 More access to education could close the gender inequality gap Increased access to education is playing a role in reducing gender inequality around the world.
Economy May 29 Analysis: Today’s Italian bond crisis, explained Here’s an answer, which is, I hope, of some use to news consumers who find themselves baffled by bonds.
Making Sen$e May 28 Does a basic guaranteed income decrease the need for social services? The idea of a basic guaranteed income is getting a trial run in a Canadian province for three years. Four thousand randomly selected Ontario residents will get thousands of dollars a year, and in exchange, they give up some social…
Making Sen$e May 24 Why our financial decision-makers need ‘skin in the game’ Economic contrarian Nassim Taleb warned of a coming financial crisis more than a decade ago. Now he believes there’s a big con going on, and that the Federal Reserve’s response to the 2008 crash is part of it. Economics correspondent…