Behavioral Economics in Policy Making

Behavioral Economics in Policy Making

Elsa Blease
Economics

To put it simply, the field of behavioral economics evolved as an increasing number of economists acknowledged the contributions of psychologists, who revealed that individuals do not act as traditional economic theories assumed—namely, as rational agents who consistently make decisions to maximize their expected benefits. While traditional economics recognizes decision-making based on rational economic theory, where individuals assumingly balance the benefits and costs of different actions, behavioral economics focuses on the concept that people lack self-control, make inconsistent choices over time, show selective attention, and respond unconsciously to an array of influences (Moffitt et al., 2023). People's decisions tend to be influenced by the social context in which they are made; they typically respond unconsciously to how a choice is framed and presented, and they cannot effectively navigate logistical challenges that hinder the best possible decision.

Extinction By The Bowl

Extinction By The Bowl

Caroline Foltz
Science & Nature

To this day, a threat to our ocean and to our future lurks beneath the surface of global waters. Sharks—de-finned and slowly descending to the seafloor. Unable to move oxygen through their gills. Unable to escape an excruciating death. Familiar species, such as the Great Hammerhead, are already nearing extinction (Rigby, C.L. et al., 2019). The culprit is a long-established practice known as shark finning. The motivation is a bowl of soup.

Aesthetics in the 21st Century: Why and how do they matter?

Aesthetics in the 21st Century: Why and how do they matter?

Valeria Li
Current Events

“Aesthetics” traditionally refers to the principles (and often the philosophy) of beauty and art. Lately, however, the term has taken on an additional meaning referring to a particular visual theme, as well as taking on the meaning of simply being beautiful or otherwise visually appealing. “What’s your aesthetic?” and “That’s so aesthetic” are phrases commonly heard in the last five years or so. 

The Role of Quantum Computing in Drug Discovery

The Role of Quantum Computing in Drug Discovery

Timothy Kilimo
Science & Nature

Quantum computing is an emerging field that promises to revolutionize numerous industries, particularly those involving complex computational problems.

One such industry is pharmaceuticals, where drug discovery involves sifting through vast chemical spaces to identify potential therapeutic compounds.

Traditional computational methods, while powerful, often fall short in handling the complexity and scale of these problems efficiently.

This analysis explores the potential impact of quantum computing on drug discovery, highlighting its advantages, current challenges, and future prospects.

The Significance of Moss

The Significance of Moss

Grace Klein
Science & Nature

When it comes to plant species, many vibrant plants catch the eye. Many plants are overlooked but are vital to ecosystems. One such species is moss. The soft, lush growths that carpet forest floors and tree bark are essential for the environment. While easily ignored, mosses provide many benefits to the world around them. Not only are they a source of food and shelter for vertebrates and invertebrates, but they also aid in carbon sequestration and support multiple ecosystem services. 

What to Make of the Bullish AI Market

What to Make of the Bullish AI Market

Michael Ferrito
Technology

Approaching the end of Q2 2024, the economy and stock market are holding steady and surprisingly strong. Most economists through Q1 and Q2 2023 forecasted a surefire recession for the U.S. economy, however, this looming threat was eliminated by the AI-fueled stock market rally taking charge in late 2023. The U.S. economy carried this strong financial finish through Q1 and Q2 of 2024. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq are up double-digit points YTD and talks of a recession have been stopped amid slowing inflation and continued bullish investing. 

Solar Energy: What, Why, and How

Solar Energy: What, Why, and How

Aidan O'Leary
Technology

In 2021, the United States "consumed 100.53 quadrillion BTUs (British Thermal Units) worth of energy, with about 79% coming from fossil fuels" (ENERGY). With that said, applying clean energy research is extremely important if we aim to combat the global climate crisis. One way many individuals can take part is by using solar panels/cells to power their homes, but how do they work, and to what efficiency?

Offices Entering a New Normal

Offices Entering a New Normal

Elsa Blease
Business Current Events

Urban Land Institute and The Instant Group collaborated on a research project in Spring 2023 to evaluate how evolving occupier (worker) behavior and greater macrotrends of such shape workspace demand. The study included a global survey targeting key decision-makers among office occupiers and landlords, supplemented by interviews and roundtable discussions with industry experts. Findings from the study revealed that a mere 14 percent of occupants believe their current workspace setups fully align with their business objectives and strategies (Chinn, 2023). Despite this, offices remain crucial in occupiers' workplace strategies for expressing corporate culture, fostering collaboration, and mentoring new and younger team members. Increasing remote work trends, employee preferences, and the need to foster enhanced corporate culture will lead to a decline in onsite office use, leading to a shift in the use of office spaces to other utilities. Looking ahead, the future of remote and hybrid work as well as the evolution of workplace design and functionality are poised to reshape office utilization, driven by changing demands and broader macroeconomic trends.

Confronting the Stolen Land Narrative

Confronting the Stolen Land Narrative

Ryan Dulaney
Political Theory, Politics

In the United States, the term “stolen land” is often used to describe the unjust colonization of the Americas by Europeans at the expense of indigenous tribes. This outlook on history implies that the land was the rightful property of the native peoples as an ethnic group, and that it was occupied by Europeans in an immoral way. 

The Wealth of U.S. Members of Congress: A Comprehensive Review

The Wealth of U.S. Members of Congress: A Comprehensive Review

Elsa Blease
Politics, Political Process

In a comprehensive study from the 115th Congress, the combined wealth of all members at that time amounted to at least $2.43 billion, marking a 20 percent increase compared to the preceding Congress. This growth occurred during a period when both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Standard & Poor’s 500 Index experienced gains of slightly under 10 percent. Furthermore, the median minimum net worth of today's senators and House members stood at $511,000 at the beginning of this Congress, reflecting a 16 percent rise over just two years. This figure is five times higher than the median net worth of an American household, estimated at $97,300 by the Federal Reserve in 2016 (Hawkings, 2018).

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