Tuesday's Assorted Links

Starbucks happy hour, leaf blower bans, Argentinian beef, Taylor Swift, and Uber

Hi y’all! Here are five stories from this week that contained some neat applications of economic principles or are related to teaching:

1. Why your Starbucks drink is now half the price [New York Post]

2. U.S. bans on gasoline-powered leaf blowers grow, as does blowback from the landscaping industry [Associated Press]

3. Argentina’s eating less beef per person than ever before, as inflation and a recession combine to see consumption drop 16% year-on-year [Reuters]

4. Taylor Swift’s European tour is pushing up demand for hotels and services at a time when inflation is being closely watched [The New York Times]

5. Uber will give about 175 people in select US and Canadian cities $1,000 to spend on Uber, public transit, and other modes of transit if they give up their car for five weeks [The Verge]

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The Fourth of July brings more than just fireworks; it brings the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest! This year, Joey Chestnut, the reigning champion, won't be participating. But his absence won’t change a fundamental economic lesson: diminishing returns.

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