March 2011

Intrusive Tsa Searches Create Profit Opportunity for Adidas

Economics, Liberty / By

Lynne Kiesling A concise public choice analysis of the distortionary economic rents created by the ever-increasing “layers” of TSA security theater, as reported today on the Wired gadget blog: Airport “security” theater may be sickeningly pointless, but this stealthy introduction to a police state brings certain commercial advantages to those willing to cash in. First, …

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Faruqui and Toney Debate Smart Meters and Dynamic Pricing

Electricity, Energy markets / By

Michael Giberson Dr. Ahmad Faruqui of The Brattle Group and Dr. Mark Toney of TURN discuss dynamic pricing for retail electric customers in a February 17, 2011 event in San Francisco. Part 1: [vimeo 20206833 w=600&h=400] Part 2 Q&A: [vimeo 20216539 w=600&h=400] I’ve only had time to watch a bit of this, but with Faruqui and Toney …

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Zone Pricing Ban Proposal Advances in Connecticut, Zone Price Ban Law in New York Still Not Working

Economics, Energy markets, Regulation / By

Michael Giberson Gasoline consumers in well-off Fairfield County, CT, pay gasoline prices that tend to be higher than prices in the rest of the state. The consumers don’t like it. State legislators representing the region believe the issue is “zone pricing,” a practice by gasoline wholesalers which sets wholesale prices to different levels in different …

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Our Next Fear: Peak Rocks?

Economics, Energy markets, Environmental policy / By

Lynne Kiesling Economist and teacher extraordinaire Steve Horwitz has done a great video for Learn Liberty on the question “are we running out of resources?” [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcWkN4ngR2Y&feature=player_embedded] We’ve done our share of “peak oil” debunking here over the years, so it won’t surprise you that I find The Onion’s take on the question of running out …

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Streetwise Professor: Bootleggers and Baptists in Russia

Economics, Politics, Regulation / By

Michael Giberson Craig Pirrong, blogging at Streetwise Professor, posts “Bug or Feature?, or Bootleggers and Baptists Go To Russia.” I have been told by people who were involved in the “gaming industry” in Russia pre-ban that even legal operations had to pay to survive.  But “banning” the activity only enhances the authorities’ opportunities for personal …

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