Nothing here to see folks.
Just keep moving along.
Just keep moving along.
Dec 26, 2011
Dec 24, 2011
12 Days
You are going to need to spend some serious cash this season.
Like, more than a $100,000 serious.
Dec 23, 2011
Dec 20, 2011
The Koreas, part 4
Sunan "International" Airport in Pyongyang.
Down to one runway these days.
Things are a little busier down south at Incheon International Airport in Seoul.
The Koreas, part 3
How much do you know about the late Dear Leader?
“Kim Jong Il was, indeed, a peerlessly great man who breathed his last
like a hero, totally dedicated to the people, making endless forced
marches for field guidance for their happier life with iron will and
superhuman energy.”
The best writers in Hollywood could not make this stuff up if their lives depended on it.
Dec 19, 2011
Lodestar No More
So long and good riddance Dear Leader. You leave a country that cannot feed its own people. A place where time has stood still since what, the 1960's? A capital city full of empty streets and traffic guards directing vehicles that are simply not there. Not an Internet but an Intranet for your people.
As your people have grown smaller and hungrier you somehow managed to keep the pot belly and exotic sunglasses.
Look at everyone wailing away on camera. So upset that you have decided to take your wisdom and juche spewing nonsense to another place. Don't kid yourself. None of them really mean it. It's all a show.
Just like your entire life.
Dec 14, 2011
Dec 13, 2011
SMG Champs
South Central Middle School in Bartow County is in the house! A team from that school took home 1st place in the 2011 fall Stock Market Game simulation with a final portfolio total of $214,477.21. Not bad for a ten-week stretch of time.
And in second place, a team from none other than South Central Middle School in Bartow County with a portfolio total of $207,427.67.
Major congratulations to both teams, and teacher Jason Kornegay, for the huge wins. We will be seeing Jason and his students at the Atlanta Freight Depot in May for the yearly Stock Market Game luncheon.
Thank you to all of the students and teachers who participated this fall. We will see you again in February for the 2012 spring Stock Market Game simulation.
Dec 5, 2011
SMG Week 9
1st place- Parkview High with $216,774.00
2nd place- South Central Middle (Bartow County) with $196,992.00
3rd place- Cedar Shoals High with $193,498.00
Who will come out on top? Tune in next week to find out.
Dec 3, 2011
Dec 1, 2011
12 Days
It's that time of the year once again. Time to figure out exactly how much those darn swans are going to cost us this time around.
Ladies and gents, your 2011Christmas Price Index.
Nov 29, 2011
"If I Had a Million Dollars"
"...I'd be rich." Everyone remembers that classic song from Canada's very own Barenaked Ladies right? Well, have you ever wondered what the items in that song would look like on an infographic? Of course you have.
Ever find yourself sitting around on a Sunday morning wondering how much more it costs to own a dog instead of a cat? Or maybe you sometimes think about the differences in the amount of money we spent to fight the Vietnam War vs. Persian Gulf War?
This really great infographic (you can buy it in poster form) right here has the answers to your questions.
Big tip of the Econblog hat to Erin in Athens for sharing this one.
Nov 28, 2011
SMG Week 8
1st place- Cedar Shoals High with $192,155.00
2nd place- Parkview High with $170,930.00
3rd place- Bartow County with $161,968.00
Keep it rolling.
Nov 24, 2011
And a Pecan Shall Lead Us
Georgia's unemployment rate is still stuck in the high 9's. What to do? How about we bring back good old Pecan Pete? People get hooked on these things and Georgia's pecan farmers will be in the money. Soon they will will be out buying new tractors, new Ford F150's and maybe even some new pecan tree shakers.
Just imagine what kind of impact this would have on numerous Georgia businesses? I can almost see it now, citizens of this state from Lenox to the Lenox Mall will see the wisdom of planting pecan groves on every square inch of arable land.
Just imagine what kind of impact this would have on numerous Georgia businesses? I can almost see it now, citizens of this state from Lenox to the Lenox Mall will see the wisdom of planting pecan groves on every square inch of arable land.
Before we know it our unemployment rate will be as low as North Dakota's.
Nov 23, 2011
Nov 22, 2011
SMG Week Seven
1. Cedar Shoals High................$191,833.94
2. Burnt Hickory Elementary......$185,690
3. Parkview High......................$183,472
Three more weeks to go!
Nov 19, 2011
Your Weekend Reading
The "Has it really come to this?" edition.
Now with 100% more Snooki.
...and it gets worse (or better depending on your preference for this kind of thing.)
Nov 18, 2011
Thank You, Mr. President
With the race for the 2012 White House already in full swing, finding a presidential candidate saying he or she can "fix" the economy is about as easy as finding an angry protestor near Wall Street.
This plan will cut the debt in half. That plan will bring the unemployment rate down to 4%. The plan over there involves the number nine a bunch of times and it promises to put a man on Mars before Christmas while creating economic prosperity not seen since the days of Martin Van Buren!
Are any of them telling the truth? Can a president really even "fix" the economy all by himself? Ladies and gents, I give you this. A tale of the tape of sorts.
Nov 17, 2011
SMG Week Six
1st place- Cedar Shoals High with $191,497.00
2nd place- Burnt Hickory Elementary with $189,806.00
3rd place- Mountain View High with $173,853.00
Best of luck to all teams during the remainder of the simulation.
Nov 16, 2011
McPork Memories
Woke up , fell out of bed, dragged a comb across my head. Made my way downstairs and had a McRib, and looking up I noticed I had sauce all over my shirt...
Ah yes, that magical time of the year is upon us once again. Ladies and gents I give you the 2011 McRib roll-out. The pork of legend.
Are your students fired up? Are they skipping school just to spend more time at McDonald's? I'm willing to bet a Big Mac and a McFlurry that they are.
Please, don't be a fool. Take advantage of this golden, and sauce covered, opportunity to link the McRib to econ. Take a peek right here for some fantastic, and sauce covered, micro connections.
Nov 12, 2011
Nov 8, 2011
Royal(ties)
How does a rock star get paid these days? If I'm sitting in the global HQ listening/watching an Arcade Fire song on YouTube how much $$$ is the band pulling in? Is it still profitable for SONY Records to sell an actual CD? Does Apple get a bigger cut of that Matthew Good song than Matthew Good himself? Is Neko Case (greatest singer of all time) getting a cut when I hear her 77 times on Pandora?
All of these questions, and more, answered right here.
Nov 7, 2011
Food Trucks to the Rescue
An interview with myself...
Me: So, Mr. EconBlog, what has been the most exciting thing to happen around your office in the last three years? Was it the first ever GSU football pep rally? Was it the recent Occupy Atlanta protests? Was it the time the MARTA police got to business on that guy brandishing that gun in Woodruff Park?
EconBlog: Those are all good choices but none compare to the recent addition of what I like to call "Food Truck Wednesday."
Me: Food Truck Wednesday?
EconBlog: Oh yes. Each and every Wednesday a collection of Atlanta food trucks bring their goods to Underground Atlanta. Couple bucks and you are eating like a king.
EconBlog: Oh yes. Each and every Wednesday a collection of Atlanta food trucks bring their goods to Underground Atlanta. Couple bucks and you are eating like a king.
Me: Atlanta has food trucks?
EconBlog: Indeed. Awesome food trucks to be more specific. One week I'm eating spicy pork burritos the next I'm wolfing down some amazing fries from the fry guy. The cool kids call it "epic."
Me: Nice. Wait, why are we talking about food trucks on this here economics blog?
EconBlog: Entrepreneurship. These people are living the American dream. Come up with a great idea, invest in a truck, give the people what they want and compete for my dollar. Totally great to see the free market do its thing.
EconBlog: Entrepreneurship. These people are living the American dream. Come up with a great idea, invest in a truck, give the people what they want and compete for my dollar. Totally great to see the free market do its thing.
Me: Sweet. Where can I find out more about Atlanta's food truck scene?
EconBlog: I've got you covered right here.
Nov 4, 2011
Nov 3, 2011
Nov 1, 2011
SMG Week 4
At the end of the 4th week we have two schools from Gwinnett County battling it out for top honors.
1st place, Mountain View High
2nd place, Mountain View High
3rd place, Parkview High
4th place, Parkview High
Stay tuned....
Oct 31, 2011
Oct 29, 2011
Oct 28, 2011
Spending Like It's 1937
Great graphic from the Economist that shows how many Americans have drastically changed their spending habits since the economy decided to dive deeply into the gutter. On the one hand, processed vegetable producers must be absolutely thrilled with the direction of the economy, while on the other hand, manufacturers of new cars and trucks must be feeling rather numb.
One silver lining of a rotten economy...spending on tobacco products has dropped significantly. A silver lining to everyone but tobacco producers that is.
Oct 26, 2011
SMG Leaders
The fall 2011 Stock Market Game is going strong and we have some students getting the job done.
Your leaders...
1st- Mountain View High @ $168,813.00
2nd- South Central Middle @ $160,333.00
3rd- Parkview High @ $150,721.00
Updates to follow...
Oct 22, 2011
Oct 18, 2011
AP App
Another APP you may want to take a look at..."Economics AP" in the Apple Store. $3.99 version as well as a "free" version. Two thumbs up from this guy.
Oct 17, 2011
Deleverage Until it Hurts
Save! Save! Save! Pay off that debt! Pay off that debt! Pay off that debt!....until of course the economy freezes up because nobody is spending.
Ahhh, what to do? Economics can sometimes be a confusing mess.
Oct 12, 2011
A Big Chinese Footprint
While out and about doing workshops Econblog #1 has been fielding more and more questions about China from teachers concerned with a number of things China-related. Specifically, teachers are asking when China is finally going to own the entire United States of America. The usual Econblog #1 response to this line of questioning...Fear not brave teachers, China has a long way to go before they own your school, your car, your pet dog Larry.
Yes, China is growing rather quickly and they are investing more and more in the United States. But you know what? They don't just have eyes for us. They are in fact investing heavily in many parts of the world. Don't believe me? Take a look at this.
Oct 11, 2011
Oct 10, 2011
Oct 7, 2011
Oct 4, 2011
Super Huge NFL
Each week the NFL seems to get bigger and bigger. Bigger crowds, bigger players, bigger salaries, bigger injuries and bigger surprises. Bigger is better right? It is if you happen to be lucky enough to own a team or a parking lot next to an NFL stadium or a restaurant that serves up game day staples.
Thanks to Newsweek you now have the opportunity to share some interesting facts and figures with your students. $75.00 to park at a Cowboys game? $13.00 for a hot dog at a Lions game? $2.8 million for a 30-second Super Bowl ad? I should have bought the Falcons when I had the chance.
Oct 3, 2011
SMG Begins
And they're off! Today we begin the Stock Market Game simulation...fall 2011 version. Over the course of the next ten weeks students and teachers from all over the state will invest a hypothetical $100,000 in stocks, bonds and/or mutual funds to see who can create the largest portfolio.
Best of luck to the 4,000+ teams participating in the simulation.
Sep 30, 2011
Sep 29, 2011
Working Like a Dog
I've got my eye on you complaining German and British workers. You think you have it rough? Take a look at this cool infographic that examines how much work (some) Americans are doing these days.
No wonder I'm so tired all of the time. Anyone know of any cool job openings in Berlin? I could use the time off.
Sep 26, 2011
Jobless in Georgia
This nifty chart shows a nice geographical breakdown of the numerous discrepancies to be found in the various unemployment rates around the country.
Great work out of you North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska!
Sep 23, 2011
Sep 16, 2011
Sep 14, 2011
Government Boss
Killer article from the Economist. Not a shocker to see that the US Dept. of Defense is the #1 employer in the world. Glad I'm not in charge of HR for them. Are they still hiring?
Sep 10, 2011
Sep 7, 2011
GCEE @ GCSS
Hands up. Who's going to the GCSS Conference in October? The Georgia Council will be in the house. This year we are offering three action-packed sessions that will knock your socks off.
Session one (high school): "Teaching Economic Crises" will examine the causes of our current economic "unpleasantness."
Session one (high school): "Teaching Economic Crises" will examine the causes of our current economic "unpleasantness."
Session two (middle school): "Teaching Financial Fitness for Life" will showcase numerous lessons from the new and improved FFFL publication.
Session three (elementary school): "Biographies of Great Americans" is your chance to see the latest GCEE publication, a series of lessons that highlight the economic lives of the people who show up in the K-3 social studies GPS.
Everyone at GCEE hopes to see you in Athens.
Sep 6, 2011
Working For the Man
Timely post right after Labor Day. So how many hours do you work each day? Do you work more than the average Dane? Less than the average German? How do your work hours stack up against the average Japanese worker?
Look right here to see where you, the average American worker, falls on the "Standard Work Hours Around the World" list.
Sep 2, 2011
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