Economy May 29 Why the Freddie Gray riots began at a shopping mall Editor’s Note: When economic correspondent Paul Solman went to Baltimore earlier this month to report on how the riots there affected the local economy, he spoke with Johns Hopkins historian N.D.B. Connolly. Connolly brought Paul to the mall where the…
Economy May 15 Racism, riots and economics: If history is the guide, why Baltimore won’t recover soon What do the race riots of the 1960s suggest for the economic recovery of places like Baltimore and Ferguson, Missouri, today? Boston University economics professor Robert Margo has studied the long-term effects, and says that even where the physical damage…
Economy Apr 23 With dementia, reality sometimes hurts more than it helps Both of Paul Solman’s parents lived into their 90s, and they both experienced bouts of confusion and dementia. He talked to dementia coach Kerry Mills for helpful advice for caretakers.
Making Sen$e Mar 14 The economics week in review with Nobel laureate Robert Solow Paul Solman interviews Nobel laureate Robert Solow abut the week's economics news and looks ahead to the Federal Reserve's policy meeting next week.
Making Sen$e Feb 20 Why is there more violence for violence’s sake today? Despite the rise of ISIS, terrorism doesn't look like it used to, says University of Texas at Dallas economist Todd Sandler. In his opinion, violence for violence's sake is now much more prevalent. But why?…
Making Sen$e Feb 16 How to get what’s yours from Social Security One day while playing tennis, Social Security expert Larry Kotlikoff informed Paul Solman about a strategy for maximizing the benefits that he and his wife were eligible to collect. They decided everyone else should know that secret, too, and are…
Making Sen$e Feb 13 How to get what you want from online dating Looking for love for Valentine's Day? In this Q&A, Paul Solman speaks with OkCupid co-founder Christian Rudder, author of "Dataclysm," about what works and what doesn't on online dating sites. Helpful hint for men: Learn your grammar.
Making Sen$e Dec 18 Where to give your money this holiday season, according to behavioral economics If you're fortunate enough to be able to donate money this holiday season, which organizations will be receiving your checks? Paul Solman speaks with Yale behavioral economist Dean Karlan about the causes that are using funds most efficiently.
Economy Sep 15 How Xerox became a leader in diversity — and why that’s good for business In the early 1990s, Xerox wasn’t just a company. “To Xerox” was a verb, reflecting the company’s singular focus on producing copying machines. But faced with competition from digital imaging, Xerox has had to change their focus; they’re now in…
Making Sen$e Jul 30 Big Mac index: Is the U.S. dollar overvalued? Everyone knows prices in the U.S. vary regionally, just like certain products are cheaper in China, say, or far cheaper in the Ukraine. But that hardly demonstrates that the renminbi or hyrvnia currencies are overvalued, Paul Solman says, noting that…