Traditional media tends to offer package deals. Television networks, magazines, albums, … — each of them aggregates content in wholesale manner that, when done successfully, offers the consumer more than they want. But why should consumers pay for the excess bundled content that they don’t want? (more…)
Gas prices have almost doubled at the pump over the past three years, from an average of $1.60/gallon in April 2003 to $2.74 in April 2006. What would cause such a dramatic increase? Opinions range from vast oil conspiracies to classic supply and demand. However, these perspectives are not mutually exclusive — oil demand is largely inelastic, while oil companies have a significant influence on the supply, and therefore their own profits. (more…)