120 Yen via cell phone for a coke? Now available in Japan.
the 4th Estate & Newspaper Circulation Scams – Slate
Officials from several newspapers have recently confessed to fudging their circulation numbers. Slate editor-at-large Jack Shafer talks to NPR’s Noah Adams about why media officials would do such a thing, and what it could mean for public trust of the press.
Healthcare Pricing Transparency
Adam Hanft has some useful suggestions that would help all of us evaluate health care costs.
The industry could address this by employing this very notion of pricing transparency. How much of its premium income gets passed through to its members and their doctors and hospitals, versus how much is overhead and profit? Imagine how much better consumers would feel if they understood that HMOs exist to collect premiums from everyone in order to redistribute the money to those who need it. Essentially, it’s a major re-education campaign.
This is a model that the non-profit world has adopted, as scandals such as the United Way mess focused attention on what percent of a contribution finds its way to those who need it. Indeed, these metrics have become part of their messaging strategy.
Digital Audio & The Copyright Gap
Witness the Copyright Gap in its full majesty. In the UK, Digital Radio has been live at the BBC for about three years now. As the BBC says, ?Digital Audio Broadcasting gives you far greater station choice, better reception & clarity of sound with no re-tuning.?
Yet meanwhile, in the country that invented both the radio station and the transistor, digital radio is stuck. Among other problems, the FCC is contending with the RIAA?s arguments that, absent proper controls, digital radio would be ?the perfect storm? for the music industry. Digital radio, the RIAA believes, must be prevented from causing the ?enormous damage wrought by peer-to-peer piracy.? On Monday, the RIAA filed a new letter reiterating that the ?threat? from digital radio is ?real and imminent.?
Press Corps Wretched Behavior – Athens!
John Crumpacker on bad press behavior in Athens.
Community Pools – Minnesota
For years the old neighborhood pool was the best place to cool off on hot summer days. But across the region, cities have had to close those old pools because of expensive repairs and declining attendance. In a day of air conditioners and cable TV, pools don’t serve as community gathering places much anymore. But now city leaders are trying to attract a new generation of swimmers and splashers with more exciting pools.
Lileks on the “Age du Merde”
James Lileks fears a “catastrophic fashion meltdown”, not seen since the 1970’s:
“Does this make you want to spend money? No, didn’t think so. Sell your Marshall Field’s stock. The fools are back in charge.”
WSJ on Bud Selig
The Wisconsin State Journal Editorial page says that it’s time for a new baseball commissioner. No doubt, he should have left long ago. Additional background.
America, Afghanistan & Pakistan
Steve Coll’s excellent book, Ghost Wars, is featured on NPR’s All Things Considered this week.
Organic Farmers
Stephanie Hemphill discusses the growing demand for organic food and the implications for farmers:
People are choosing organic food in a big way. Sales of organic food have been increasing steadily. You’d think having more demand for your product would be great. But for people who grow organic food, it’s a mixed blessing. When you can’t supply as much as the customer wants, it can be difficult. Some farmers are trying creative ways to fill the demand.