Tuesday's Assorted Links
Replacement concerns, hoarding pesos, value of a college degree, Black Friday shopping, and OPEC+
Hi y’all! Here are five stories from this week that contained some neat applications of economic principles or are related to teaching:
A new MIT study using a labor simulation found that AI could replace 11.7% of the US labor market [CNBC]
The Bank of Mexico revealed that nearly 13 million people are hoarding ~$150 million worth of 50-peso notes because of its axolotl-themed design [The Guardian]
Two-thirds of Americans no longer see four-year college degrees as worth the cost [NBC News]
US consumers spent $11.8 billion online for Black Friday, a new record, even as in-store sales waned [CBS News]
OPEC+ holds 2026 group-wide oil output steady [CNBC]
This week’s article looks at the debate over whether people should dress nicer when they fly and why it sparked such a strong reaction. The discussion isn’t really about fashion. It’s about how social norms shape behavior in crowded spaces like airplanes.
Do Sweatpants Make Flights Worse?
You’re reading Monday Morning Economist, a free weekly newsletter that explores the economics behind pop culture and current events. Each issue reaches thousands of readers who want to understand the world a little differently. If you enjoy this post, you can support the newsletter by sharing it or by becoming a paid subscriber to help it grow:
Are you an educator looking for ways to introduce this week’s newsletter into your classroom? Sign up for the Classroom Edition of Monday Morning Economist to get assessments and lesson plans delivered straight to your inbox every week.
Love this!