Kids react to Walkmans
01 Apr 2017 Leave a comment
in economics of media and culture Tags: creative destruction, good old days
The IBM personal computer sold for $4,385 in 1981
08 Jun 2016 Leave a comment
in economic history, economics of media and culture, entrepreneurship Tags: creative destruction, good old days, PCs
In 1900, 25% died before age 20.
10 May 2016 Leave a comment
in economic history, health economics Tags: child mortality, good old days, infant mortality, living standards, The Great Escape
Household penetration of major electrical appliances, 1963, USA, Western Europe and Down Under
10 May 2016 Leave a comment
in applied welfare economics, economic history, technological progress Tags: good old days, pessimism bias, the standards
Michael Reddell stumbled across a fascinating 1965 research paper in an old bookshop. In addition to re-blogging his post, I charted the data he found on household penetration of major electrical appliances in the good old days of the regressive left when everyone was equal, in a union and happy.
Source: New Zealand Institute of Economic Research (1965), Electric Household Durable Goods: Economic Aspects of their Manufacture in New Zealand via Twenty companies manufacturing TVs | croaking cassandra.
In the early 1960s, there were really big differences not only the number of TV sets, but much more basic appliances we take for granted such as refrigerators and washing machine.
The three indicators in the chart above suggest that life was much better in the USA, Australia and New Zealand than in Western Europe. Television aside, New Zealand seemed to be better off than Australia.
Watch the video by Hans Rosling about what happened when a washing machine first came to his parent’s house. Truly insightful about how living standards are so much better than those of our parents and grandparents.
In 1922 Princeton banned students from owning automobiles
07 Apr 2016 1 Comment
in economic history, economics of information, economics of media and culture, economics of regulation, technological progress Tags: doomsday prophets, good old days
This @amprog lead in picture and its 1st figure about minimal improvement in living standards in 30 years just does not gel somehow
05 Mar 2016 Leave a comment
in applied welfare economics, economic history, economics of media and culture, industrial organisation, politics - USA Tags: good old days, Leftover Left, pessimism bias, rational irrationality, smart phones, The Great Enrichment
Source: When I Was Your Age | Center for American Progress.
The claim by the Centre for American progress is that despite being more educated and working in a more productive economy, 30-year-olds today barely make more than 30-year-old Baby Boomers did in 1984.
Source: When I Was Your Age | Center for American Progress.
Nearly everything from RadioShack ad in 1991 is replaced by a smartphone. https://t.co/xGh6ZzW1Nx—
Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) December 19, 2015
The apps in your smartphone cost $900,000 thirty years ago —@datarade https://t.co/pjw7q4QGDp—
Vala Afshar (@ValaAfshar) October 29, 2015
The good old days are now
20 Feb 2016 Leave a comment
in economic history, labour economics, minimum wage, technological progress Tags: good old days, living wage, The Great Enrichment
The good old days were not very good at all
14 Feb 2016 Leave a comment
in economic history Tags: good old days, The Great Enrichment
Remember these canteen prices?
02 Feb 2016 Leave a comment
in economic history, economics of media and culture Tags: good old days
Nearly everything from RadioShack ad in 1991 is replaced by a smartphone
01 Jan 2016 Leave a comment
in economic history, economics of media and culture, industrial organisation Tags: creative destruction, good old days, smart phones, technology diffusion
Utopia, you are standing in it! 
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