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TOXIC SUPERMODELS
What's the difference between a supermodel and a toxic asset? Very little, argues Ashley Mears in the super smart 3 Quarks Daily blog. The value of models like Coco Rocha and Heidi Klum is highly inflated simply because the fashion industry deems them "in" enough to be supermodels, much like the way speculators collectively inflated the value of toxic subprime mortgage assets during the housing boom. Just don't tell Naomi Campbell how toxic she is. [3 Quarks Daily]
THE NETFLIX OF BOOKS
In the dawn of the age of Netflix, lovers of literature dreamed of a day when books could be borrowed through the mail. Thanks to BookSwim, that day has come. Prices start at $23.95 a month, including shipping for unlimited reading of three books at a time. No due dates, no fines, no running to the library before it closes. We're crossing our fingers for instant streaming to our e-readers. [BookSwim]
MILLION DOLLAR IDEAS
We've all had that moment when we thought we had the next million-dollar idea. But did you take the extra step to make it happen? No, you didn't. But This American Life takes a look at few who did: Two Brooklyn men running competing Vietnamese sandwich shops; MIT students who compete to give a 60-second "elevator pitch" to venture capitalists; and the story of a man who, in 1984, figured out how to win a record $110,237 on "Press Your Luck." No whammies, we promise. [This American Life]
SEINFELD ECONOMICS
Leave it to an economics professor to apply option pricing theory to a Seinfeld rerun. Princeton professor Avinash Dixit examined "The Sponge" episode, in which Elaine discovers that her favorite contraceptive sponge is off the market and therefore in limited supply. In a paper (PDF), Dixit quantifies Elaine's concept of "spongeworthiness," or what it takes for a partner to inspire Elaine to dip into her stockpile. Saucy! But compelling. [The Wall Street Journal, Avinash K. Dixit]
TALLYING OUR FUTURE ELDERLY
The United Nations says that by 2050, there will be more than 2 billion people worldwide aged 60 or over — more than three times the 600 million elders we have today. Now imagine what the retirement and health care costs will be. To visualize what the aging population will look like in eight industrialized countries over the next 40 years, check out GE's interactive graph. Then check out our "Do One Thing" IRA suite to make sure you're prepared for your retirement. You'll be happy you'll have enough to survive your golden years. [General Electric]
