economics

Harper’s Article on “Stopping Payment” on Homes and More

by

Worth Reading: Harpers look at movements to take on banks over MERS and stop payments on loans. It's hefty reading, so it may only be for the dedicated, but I'd take a gander.

Essentially between the MERS mess people can take on the banks, it's got a bit of a movement behind it. This is reminiscent of other movements dealing with financial law, and might just combine with similar movements (anti-tax, state sovereignty, local control, etc.). It also has potential to combine with Occupy Wall Street.

It also means that the anger with the housing mess has a chance to mutate into something else, and banks have to keep up  . . . which they're not to good at.

– Steven Savage

Norway Butter Crisis

by

OK normally I post serious geeky economic news, bordering on the depressing, but as your geekonomist du blog, I have to share this story that is a great reminder of how social trends affect economics.

Norway is running out of butter.

Why? Because of a low-carb diet trend and some bad weather. Oh and they could get more butter from Denmark, but Denmark apparently isn't selling because of high import duties.

So next time you see some weird or odd trend or fad, pause for a moment, don't laugh, and ask yourself just what it's real-life economic impacts may be. The iPad may be cool, Skyrim may be awesome, but there's also a trend effect there.

Also, Norway Butter Crisis is an awesome name for a band or an MMO guild.

– Steven Savage

Why MMO’s Have an Even Brighter Future

by

I mentioned in a recent post that I'd been looking to purchase a new video game, and decided to wait for some titles because of the social effects of playing them – how I could share them, be part of a launch phenomena, etc.  This let me to further speculate on games with specific social aspects – namely, MMOs.

To put it bluntly, I think in today's age, MMO's are poised to do not only good, but better than they have.  I suspect as time goes on they will expand their hold on the market and onto multiple devices.

Read more