Modeling Religion Through Economics

In most social sciences, religion has been viewed as a fleeting force in everyday life. In the view of Sociology, religion is a tie to a primitive past, and as people become more educated, religion disappears. In Political Science, religion is seen as a deteriorating force as countries develop into more democratic societies with higher levels of self-expression and belief. Yet both of these disciplines contradict increasing data from the developed world. In fact, in the U.S. alone, 43% of Americans identify as religious, and 33% identify as spiritual. According to a Harvard Economic Study, despite Sociology’s view of religion Continue reading Modeling Religion Through Economics

$70 for Cardboard

Recently, Nintendo announced the upcoming release of an add-on for its most recent gaming device, the Switch. The accessory pack is known as Nintendo Labo, and it’s… made of cardboard. Yes, that’s right. Cardboard. The idea is that users will be able to build physical objects that change the way they interact with the Switch. For example, the informational page on Nintendo’s website advertises the ability to create a piano, a fishing pole, or a motorbike, among other things. Each of these new “Toy-Cons,” as Nintendo calls them (a modification of the term Joy-Con, the name given to the Switch’s Continue reading $70 for Cardboard

“I Present to You the Rational Consumer”

In the Office’s sixth episode of season 7, Dunder Mifflin’s “accountant extraordinaire” Oscar Martinez dresses up as the “rational consumer” for the office’s Halloween costume contest. His character is inspired by the contest’s prize, a booklet worth over $40,000 in coupons to many of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s finest establishments. Though the rest of the employees come to work dressed in creative and sometimes head turning (Gabe as Lady Gaga) costumes they have obviously put a lot of thought into, Oscar comes dressed in jeans, a collared shirt and a cardigan as a sign that the booklet should be of no interest Continue reading “I Present to You the Rational Consumer”