Our New Gilded Age is defined by its oligarchic concentration of wealth and power: not just how much wealth is controlled by the 0.001%, but how many of our key markets are dominated by just a handful of players -- sometimes just a single company.
In a new, visual report, the Open Markets Institute presents an easy-to-understand snapshot of market concentration in more than 30 industries, with historic data showing how the concentration has increased over time.
While digital markets are among the most concentrated, the report makes it clear that this isn't a "new economy" phenomenon -- otherwise, why would beer, a business that has its roots in ancient Egypt, be as concentrated as it is?
America's Concentration Crisis [Open Markets Insititute]
White House adviser Kevin Hassett said the quiet part out loud just now: “Our human capital stock is ready to go back to work.”
NPR has a bizarrely fascinating new piece about Drew Miller, the owner and founder of Fortitude Ranch, which is essentially a timeshare opportunity for Doomsday Preppers. Unlike the Survival Condos that start at $1.5 million, Fortitude Ranch “seeks to capture a solidly middle-class market.” The annual membership fee is $1,000, which gives you access […]
When John Stumpf (previously) was CEO of Wells Fargo, he oversaw a string of scandals including literally millions of acts of bank fraud, and still managed to walk out of the business with millions in bonuses and no criminal prosecutions.
Firing up the engines each morning and attacking the day with gusto and purpose can feel like a mighty tall order sometimes. We’ve all been there. But on those sluggish, why-don’t-I-just-stay-here-in-bed-all-day kinda days, it might just take a rational, calming, reassuring nudge to make it happen. No matter what it takes to keep you motivated […]
You may not realize it, but one of the fastest-growing employee benefits over the past several years is one that’s keeping thousands of workers feeling happier and healthier. Back in 2013, only 13 percent of employers were willing to provide or subsidize standing desks for their workers, but by 2019, that number had exploded to […]
First, they were all about serving a protective necessary function. But now, about 10 weeks after the explosion of the COVID-19 outbreak, face masks are beginning to serve a different role. Just like all the fashion accessories that came before them, face masks are now showing off a little piece of ourselves to the everyday […]
