Charles Edison

"Economics, politics, and personalities are often inseparable." - Charles Edison

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Gadhafi's death helps clear way for oil exports

A oil producible country have a huge impact toward the world economy. Oil is the basic of transportation and an inelastic demand for global business. Before the Civil War in Libya started, they has the most oil reserved in Africa which producing about 1.6 million barrel of oil per day. Libya ex-leader Gadhafi reduced the export of gas with violence during the civil war which elevated the international gasoline price. Libya was in the command economic system which was leaded by Gadhafi, but now the Libyan has the freedom on their own. After Gadhafi was proved that he was overthrown, the gasoline price was lowered with the thought of increase of oil exports from Libya. But the major problem is that Libya is without a government system and few national institutions left in the country. Without a government, there is no representation for Libyan which won’t guarantee the safety of oil fields workers and the security of the oil export. However, many analysts predict that Libya will soon increase the oil production which will reduce the world fuel price. Oil is valuable, and its demand and supply are easily disturb by a event.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

FedEx hiring drivers for holiday season

With the holiday season fast approaching FedEx is hiring temporary drivers to meet the increased demand for shipping. Many more packages are going to be delivered requiring more drivers. People will be buying and selling gifts for their family in other states causing more demand for delivery. FedEx is paying very well for these additional workers. These salaries typically around nine to sixteen dollars. This act will not, however, have a substancial impact on the economy lasting only a short time. The increased hiring must last longer and remain constant to help stimulate the economy. Also more companies are required to participate to boost the economy. Though for a short time during the holidays jobs will be plentiful for delivery drivers.

Monday, October 24, 2011

World Series vs. the Olympics

There has been much talk about how the World Series is boosting the economy in both St. Louis and Arlington. Thousands of people are buying merchandise and tickets to the games that are selling at over $1,200. With the 2012 Summer Olympics taking place in London; many people are speculating the same kind of economic boost in Europe. However it is actually proven that the Olympics do quite the opposite. While people do spend a lot of money to attend the events and buy merchandise, the host city is forced to use the taxpayer's money to pay for things like the venues and getting everything prettied up for the visitors when the money could be used for things that would actually help the economy. The reason why the World Series helps cities make money and the Olympics doe the opposite is because MLB teams are privately owned. Arlington and St. Louis only gain money because they don't have to spend any money or at least very little money in hosting these kind of events.

http://www.alternet.org/story/56128/?page=entire

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Kudzu bug threatens to eat US farmers' lunch

The new pest has entered and spread through many farmland in the United States. Kudzu bugs have no sign of stopping. Farmers grew the plants for living which the plants would also be the human food resource. Food resource will be shortage because the pest is eating the crops. Farmers have to raise the crop price or the government has to enter and give financial support for the lost. Crops are the raw material which could make into some popular food. When the price of raw material goes, it affects many food products. Bread is the major food we eat in America which is made of crops. While bugs kept messing up the crops, farmers are trying to control the bugs spreading. It will be costly to use the pesticides and didn’t quite well as the result. Even if the farmers did successfully control the bugs, the price will still go up to balance with the cost of pesticide.

Monday, October 17, 2011

7 Billion by Halloween

The U.N. has predicted that the global population will hit the 7 billion mark by October 31. The population will only continue to grow as the years pass, straining both elastic and inelastic resources. Sub-Saharan Africa's population is expected to go form 900 million people to over 2 billion by the end of 2025, just 14 years from now. The population has increased exponentially over the past couple of centuries. There were just a billion people in 1804 and we didn't reach 2 billion until 1927. In took just 32 years to reach 3 billion, in 1974 we reached 4 billion, and in 1987 we reached 5 billion people. In 1998 we finally reached 6 billion and just 13 years later 7 billion. It's estimated that in 2025 there will be about 1.8 billion people will be living in water scarce areas. Water is with a doubt the most important inelastic resource for survival. For some reason poverty and big families seem to go hand in hand. Environmental analysts such as Lester Brown say that the best way to slow the loss of our resources is to "accelerate the switch to smaller families."

http://news.yahoo.com/challenges-loom-world-population-hits-7-billion-040835519.html

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Hit Your Shots!!!

Australia is home to some of the most extreme animals and environments in the world. On this Australian golf course the center of the course has a lake with six "man-eating" bull sharks. The sharks were stranded after a nearby river flooded and then receded to its original levels leaving the sharks behind. The sharks are 8 to 10 feet long and are fed meat on a regular basis to encourage them to come to the surface. This golf course is the first of its kind and because of the rarity and large demand to see these sharks the golf course attracts many people each year along with one tournament called the "Shark Lake Challenge." The golf course should have nothing to worry about in terms of a lack of supply as the current sharks are said to be breeding. Also in this lake there are other fishes and plants to keep a complete habitat for the sharks.

This shark course sounds like something that would be in the Bahama's as a tourist attraction. This is why these sharks could be used as a money maker, by attracting a lot of people to the course. This in turn would result in a lot of people spending money and telling others of the course.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

NBA canclled first two weeks of season

People want the NBA lockout to end before the season starts, like the NFL lockout did. The NBA has already cancelled all its pre-season games. But now, the NBA has also cancelled the first two weeks of the season. Both owners and players will lose more and more money if the lockout never ends. Some people are interested in watching professional basketball games after the NFL season. Even though the season has been shortened, the price of tickets will not drop, but there will be refund plus the interest for those season ticket holders. For those people who also watch other sports will have the substitution before lockout is over. But for those who don’t watch other than NBA will have to find other entertainment to watch. The fans were already upset when the lockout first began, NBA might lose part of its fans as well as their support for the time and not willing to buy tickets anymore. No one wants to see the lockout keep on going and cost the cancellation of whole 2011-2012 season, both owners and players won’t get what they are arguing right now: money. The fans definitely are disappointed the season is having delay.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Netflix losing its grip on the DVD rental industry?

CNN reported that earlier today Netflix released that it was cancelling its plan to split its services into to separate companies. This plan, originally released Sept. 18 would have customers use Netflix for instant streaming and Qwikster for mailed movie rentals. This would allow customers to choose between the two businesses or both for their movie needs. Upon releasing the statement however the online community flared with hostility towards the choice as well as Netflix all together. Many customers complained of being happy with the system already in place as well as their still unsubsided anger over the price increase. These many factors led to the online outcry that forced the company to reconsider. It was a very risky idea issued during a very risky time for the company and it backfired substancially. Netflix no doubt lost customers to their faulty timing and business planning.

Monday, October 10, 2011

The "New" iPhone

This Friday Apple will be releasing it's 5th generation iPhone. No, it's not the iPhone 5, but the iPhone 4S. AT&T stated during the release of the iPhone 3GS that the "S" stood for speed. I would assume it would mean the same with this release as it's processor is seven times faster, has twice the memory, surfs the web at "4G" speeds, and has a new technology called, Siri, that completes tasks at your command. Some are saying that the "S" stands for Steve as in iPhone 4Steve alluding to the former cofounder and CEO who was diagnosed a few years ago with pancreatic cancer that forced him to resign in August, and pass away the day after the announcement.
While the iPhone 4S is being trashed by most people, AT&T has reported that they have sold over 200,000 in 12 hours and even calling it the most successful iPhone launch ever. Apple's preorder supply ran out in less than a day. So if so many people are disappointed with this release and the iPhone 5 rumored to be out in just 8 months, I am very surprised at just how well the iPhone 4S is doing. I have preordered one just because iPhone 3GS's battery is messed up and has been dying after using it for only 10-20 minutes. This is not a widespread problem so is the 4S selling so well because of Steve Jobb's death, or that the iPhone 4S is truly the bes smart phone out there? Or could it be that sales will even out as customers are afraid supply might be scarce, or is it because the novelty of the product?

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2011-10-08/apple-iphone-pre-orders/50706650/1

Friday, October 7, 2011

Electric Vehicles: Not Meeting Expectations

Electric Vehicles seem to be the next big thing in the world as gas prices are increasing each year. Unfortunately these electric vehicles have not yet proved themselves on the road, since most of these cars are unable to travel 100 miles within one charging period. Most people need a car that can travel at least 300 miles before needing to be recharged, but the electric vehicles out now are not meeting those expectations. Another problem with these cars that people have is that they take at least eight hours to charge, and most people need them to charge in about an hour or less. So basically electric vehicles are a new and efficient way to save money on gas, but when the car takes eight hours to charge and then can only be driven for a little over an hour on the highway, that is not very efficient. The article says that by next year there will be a Tesla Model S that will be able to go 320 miles and charge in thirty minutes or less. Sounds like a perfect solution to the problem, but we'll see where technology leads us between now and then.

It is exciting to see where technology is leading us to each and every day, and to see all the new possibilities out there in the world. These new electric cars are just waiting to be transformed into something that we might think of as futuristic, and something that will really change the way the United States looks. Each day with any new invention or idea we draw closer to this conclusion.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Where is the iPhone 5?

The Apple fans or media were all excited for the Apple announcement on October 4th 2011. Most of the fans are expecting the brand new iPhone 5, but Apple introduced the iPhone 4S. Even for those fans who were disappointed and were looking into the whole new generation technology phone, some people will still buy in to the new iPhone 4s. Technology pushes economy. iPhone 4S features the brand new technology the voice control “Siri”, and upgrades other systems. People like new things or technology, many retail stores have been asking when the new iPhone will come out and placing pre-orders. Despite of the date it’s available in store, it is the most frequent asked question which means it is popular and more people are willing to switch from other brand of phone to Apple’s. Although people who have iPhone 4 are most likely not going to rush in and buy the 4S, it will still be a popular item on sale. iPhone 4s starts at the price of 199 and it will be in store on sale on October 14th, hopefully it won’t cause as much trouble as when iPhone 4 was first on sale. Apple’s stock went down nearly 5% on their new product announcement day, seems many were disappointed.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The Benefits of the Post Season

As we all should now know the post season is raging on throughout the U.S. With this momentous occasion comes the possibility of huge profits. The increase of buyers in the selected cities will spark huge spending that businesses will be trying to cash in on. The people coming are there to have a good time and are rarely thinking about spending too much. Supply will be increasing gradually up until the world series when the most amount of merchandise is needed to make the most profits. Though the Super Bowl does also benefit the economy of its host city, I wonder if the post season helps more, due to its extended time. It would be interesting to research and find out if the heightened fame of the Super Bowl is better than the longer post season. None the less this mild economic boom will hopefully help the economy level out.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Starbuck's Stimulus Package

Starbucks has teamed up with Opportunity Finance Network and announced their "Jobs for USA" program. The program will kick off on November 1. All Starbucks locations will collect $5 donations to distribute through the OFN to 180 financial institutions. Those 180 financial institutions supply loans from"charter schools to grocery stores nationwide." In the 27 years of existence the Network has collected over $23 billion and created over 300,000 jobs CEO Howard Schultz has stated that "This is about using Starbuck's scale for good." Starbucks Corp. hopes to have a $5 donation for every person who cannot afford to donate $5.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Starbucks-pushes-job-growth-apf-1602029736.html?x=0