#Econ Market Research

[corpus-incorporated]

current frame of mind is i think of everything in stock market terms now. i don’t know jack shit about economics i dont invest in anything but i will be talking about how my stocks are doing all the fucking time. not stocks i own but stocks that are me, the value of the stocks of me the company. which is REALLY funny considering my url here. it’s not just me too if something or someone does well at anything i go OHHHHH X STOCKS ARE SKYROCKETING and if something goes poorly it’s like OHHHHH THE STOCKS ARE PLUMMETING FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY. this is the new it’s jover and we’re so back. this isn’t something that’s gonna catch on though it’ll probably just be this micro joke amongst my friends for a while lol

[jentlemahae]

i love content marketing

[centrally-unplanned]

I played some Victoria 2 today (a Japan campaign ofc, and admittedly with the Historical Flavor Mod), to sort of reflect on it in relation to Vicky 3. It is rough going back to the economy of Vicky 2 after playing 3, let me tell you - you knew intellectually it was "bad" system before, but you loved it anyway because of the full package. But now you can see the alternatives and remove the quotations, it is just bad! Building an ammunition factory that requires sulfur, having domestic RGO sources for sulfur but they are not producing enough to supply even one factory, and just not being able to do anything about it that isn't drastic or long-term because the world market is feeling fucky today is unacceptable once you have played a game where that isn't true. My industrialization strat should not waffle between "build a railroad for a 5% bump in output" and "invade Indonesia", give me a middle ground here guys! And it does not stop there - capitalists are useless, "build factory on RGO and expand forever" is optimal 99% of the time, key technologies will like double your output making them forced decisions, etc.

And, if you are can't build factories because you aren't civlizied yet...you have no econ game at all. You just do virtually nothing. Now that you see how that isn't required, the mechanics are ruthlessly bad in key ways.

But! But but but! I think Vicky 2 is a still a better game. The funny thing about that "I don't have enough sulfur" thing is that I didn't even care. I built the factory "for the future", subsidized it, it outputted zero bullets, and I barely notice because you make so much money anyway you can generally ignore it. I build the factories primarily so I can have clerks staffing them and generating research points! Is that insane game design? Yeah, it is! But it is insane game design that doesn't get in the way. Nothing stops me from building a factory, it just isn't very good. Wanna build a huge military? Encourage some soldiers with your national focuses and go to town. Want to declare war on someone? You can just do that! And then I take the army I built, click it on enemy, and it fights them - revolutionary new approaches to game design folks.

Even politics, where Vicky 2 definitely does get in the way a lot and is actively not-good, it is at least more permissive and more importantly simple. If you have elections you get events to shift voter ideology, and national focuses to boost party support that work exactly the way you would expect. If you are autocratic you can just swap who is in power! Liberals support political reforms, socialists support economic reforms, if you have a majority support for a law click a button and it passes. Done. Putting socialists in power in 1870 Japan might result in a revolution, sure, but it works, you can try it, and try to beat the militant tide.

Meanwhile in Vicky 3 if you are autocratic putting a "minority" faction in power literally breaks your government and prevents you from passing any laws. You can technically do it but you just die immediately. Wanna build a coalition then, where conservatives & agrarians ally together? You technically can again, but the penalty for "non-compatible" coalition partners is so high it 90% of the time crashes you into 0 anyway. So you have the "option" of switching parties, but...you can't. You just have to appoint the landowners every time or you die. So what is the point? Why have the option? Let me play the game!! Let me try reforming things and face a revolution I have 40% odds of losing to! That sounds fun, why are you rigging the game against that?

I tried an Iran run in Vicky 3 earlier, and I had a revolution against the landlords, who had ~50% of the "faction" points in government. I won, and so their points got knocked down to ~0%, how that works. So I made a new government, right? Well, no! Every faction left was "incompatible" with each other and none of them alone could even muster like 30%. I had literally no government capable of passing laws. So I fucking quit the game? Because this was the product of winning a revolution, why would I continue?

In Vicky 2 fascists win a revolution and they coup the government and it's fascist now. You get the fascist laws and can pass reforms they like. There ya go. Done. Is it interesting? No, not really. But it works! It doesn't literally stop you from playing the game.

My Japan game actually started as Satsuma, since in HPM Tokugawa Japan is split into substate Daimyo. I modernized via encouraging intellectuals, took military & railroad reforms, built a modern land army, and built up relations with the other domains. I launched the Meiji Restoration, got 60% of the Daimyo on my side, won the civil war. Began building factories everywhere, built up my industry, built up my research output. Used the new tech & money to build a larger army, fought the Qing in a tough war but got Korea & Taiwan, allied with the UK & built up a steamer industry to get a modern navy. Then Russia got into a crisis with Greece and so the UK and I backed Greece and broke Russia, with me claiming some territories around Manchuria in the process. Later I invaded China proper to annex Manchuria itself and get some treaty ports, easily now because my military was much more advanced. From all that my infamy was high so I coasted into the endgame and pivoted to culture techs to trigger "decisions" around modernizing Japan that gave me bonuses while having nice historical flavor to them.

And generally the game just didn't get in my way on doing all that. I could "tell the story", which for an easy game like Vicky is normally what you are here to do. Vicky 3 is a much better economy simulator, but telling the story beyond that is such a chore, and often impossible. On politics, diplomacy, and especially military, it is philosophically a step backwards such that its more "developed" mechanics cannot compensate for the mistake.

(I think it is funny how much better a gameplay experience the "narrative via decisions" of Vicky 2 w/ HPM is. They give flavor to the nations with a ton of bespoke, scripted events. Which...just works because they are straightforward. Vicky 3 wants to be "emergent" and so limited such events, but missed the forest for the trees there)

I find this sad because honestly there is a "blended" version of these two games that is amazing. Vicky 3's econ system (with tweaks ofc like making trade valuable) and philosophical commitment to minimal military micro (SO finicky in Vicky 2 to replenish armies where individual brigades die off, ugh), with a system that understood storytelling is first. Let players do things, and then give them consequences that are manageable in response. Get out of the way of the stories your sandbox game is built to tell.

[technostat]

Waste to Energy Market Size, Research Report, Dynamics, and Growth Drivers Details

The global Waste to Energy (WTE) market is witnessing robust growth as municipalities worldwide seek sustainable solutions to address mounting waste management challenges. The convergence of urbanization, environmental regulations, and renewable energy targets is propelling the market toward significant expansion.

Get Free Sample Report @ https://www.econmarketresearch.com/request-sample/EMR00626

Key growth factors include increasing municipal solid waste generation in developing economies, stringent environmental regulations regarding landfill disposal, and growing energy demand from industrial sectors. The market is particularly benefiting from government initiatives promoting renewable energy adoption and circular economy principles.

Current market trends reveal a strong shift toward advanced thermal treatment technologies, particularly gasification and plasma arc treatment, which offer improved efficiency and reduced emissions compared to traditional incineration. Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence and IoT solutions for process optimization is emerging as a significant trend.

Market Segmentation:

By Technology

Thermochemical

Biochemical

By Waste Type

Municipal Solid Waste

Process Waste

Agricultural Waste

Others

By Application

Electricity

Heat

The European market continues to lead global WTE adoption, with countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Germany setting benchmarks for successful implementation. However, rapid growth is expected in Asia-Pacific regions, where countries like China and India are actively developing WTE infrastructure to address urban waste management challenges.

Private-public partnerships are increasingly becoming the preferred model for WTE project development, helping to overcome the high initial capital requirements while ensuring operational efficiency. This trend is expected to accelerate market growth in emerging economies.

Notably, the industry is witnessing increased investment in bioenergy technologies, particularly anaerobic digestion, which offers a more sustainable solution for organic waste treatment while producing renewable natural gas.

Our Related Report:

Luxury High-End Furniture Market Business Sustainability Consulting Market Business Cold Cuts Market Business Childrens Publishing Market Business Experiential Market Business Aquarium Market Business Trading Card Game Market Business Kitchenware and Houseware Market Business Pizza Market Business Functional Gummies Market Business

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Econ Market Research is a leading provider of comprehensive market intelligence, offering expert analysis and insights across a diverse range of industries. With a team of seasoned analysts and industry experts, we deliver high-quality market research reports, customized research solutions, and consulting services tailored to our clients' specific needs. Our commitment to quality, accuracy, and client satisfaction sets us apart, making us a trusted partner for businesses seeking actionable intelligence to navigate the complexities of today's global markets.

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[memesnotwelcome]

What a story to appear on a heavy retail shopping day

...What’s going on here? Why would Walmart have such a broadly negative effect on income and wealth? The theory is complex, and goes like this: When Walmart comes to town, it uses its low prices to undercut competitors and become the dominant player in a given area, forcing local mom-and-pop grocers and regional chains to slash their costs or go out of business altogether. As a result, the local farmers, bakers, and manufacturers that once sold their goods to those now-vanished retailers are gradually replaced by Walmart’s array of national and international suppliers. (By some estimates, the company has historically sourced 60 to 80 percent of its goods from China alone.) As a result, Wiltshire finds, five years after Walmart enters a given county, total employment falls by about 3 percent, with most of the decline concentrated in “goods-producing establishments.” Once Walmart has become the major employer in town, it ends up with what economists call “monopsony power” over workers. Just as monopoly describes a company that can afford to charge exorbitant prices because it lacks any real competition, monopsony describes a company that can afford to pay low wages because workers have so few alternatives. This helps explain why Walmart has consistently paid lower wages than its competitors, such as Target and Costco, as well as regional grocers such as Safeway. “So much about Walmart contradicts the perfectly competitive market model we teach in Econ 101,” Wiltshire told me. “It’s hard to think of a clearer example of an employer using its power over workers to suppress wages.”

The whole article is worth reading fyi.

[allupdatesofmarket]

Unlocking Opportunities in the Hydrostatic Testing Pumps Market: Expert Insights on Growth & Trends for 2025-2033

Hydrostatic Testing Pumps Market Research Report

Market Strides has recently added a new report to its vast depository titled Global Hydrostatic Testing Pumps Market. The report studies vital factors about the Global Hydrostatic Testing Pumps Market that are essential to be understood by existing as well as new market players. The report highlights the essential elements such as market share, profitability, production, sales, manufacturing, advertising, technological advancements, key market players, regional segmentation, and many more crucial aspects related to the Hydrostatic Testing Pumps Market.

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Hydrostatic Testing Pumps Market Share by Key Players

Cat Pumps

Reed Manufacturing

Graco

Curtiss-Wright Industrial (EST)

Haskel

McFarland Pumps

Hydratron

Wheeler-Rex

RICE Hydro

Oatey (Cherne Econ-O)

LARZEP

Richard Dudgeon

Tritan Pumps

Hydrostatic Testing Pumps Market Segmentation

The report on Global Hydrostatic Testing Pumps Market provides detailed toc by type, applications, and regions. Each segment provides information about the production and manufacturing during the forecast period of 2025-2033 . The application segment highlights the applications and operational processes of the industry. Understanding these segments will help identify the importance of the various factors aiding to the market growth.

The report is segmented as follows:

By Type

Air Driven Hydrostatic Test Pumps

Electric Driven Hydrostatic Test Pumps

Manual Hydrostatic Test Pumps

By Application

Oilfield Industry

Industrial

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Hydrostatic Testing Pumps Market Frequently Asked Question

1) What are Hydrostatic Testing Pumps Market and why are they important?

2) What is the future outlook for the Hydrostatic Testing Pumps Market?

3) What are the Segments Covered in the Market?

4) Who are the prominent key players in the Market?

Key Highlights

It provides valuable insights into the Hydrostatic Testing Pumps Market.

Provides information for the years 2025-2033. Important factors related to the market are mentioned.

Technological advancements, government regulations, and recent developments are highlighted.

This report will study advertising and marketing strategies, market trends, and analysis.

Growth analysis and predictions until the year 2032.

Statistical analysis of the key players in the market is highlighted.

Extensively researched market overview.

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[nmsc-market-pulse]

The Post-Harvest Treatment Market: North America's Dominance and Future Outlook

Introduction:

The post-harvest treatment market has emerged as a critical segment within the agricultural sector, reflecting the increasing global focus on food security and waste reduction. This market encompasses a range of technologies and practices aimed at preserving the quality and extending the shelf life of agricultural produce after harvest.

As of recent analyses, North America has established itself as the dominant region in this market, driven by a combination of advanced technology, substantial investment, and supportive regulatory frameworks.

This article delves into the factors contributing to North America's leadership, the market dynamics, and the future outlook for the post-harvest treatment industry.

Download Free Sample: https://www.nextmsc.com/post-harvest-treatment-market/request-sample

Key Drivers of Market Growth in North America

1. Technological Advancements:

North America, particularly the United States and Canada, is at the forefront of adopting innovative post-harvest technologies. These include advanced storage systems, refrigeration techniques, and sophisticated packaging solutions that reduce spoilage and maintain the nutritional value of produce. Technologies such as controlled atmosphere storage, ethylene inhibitors, and advanced coatings have significantly enhanced the effectiveness of post-harvest treatments.

2. Investment in Research and Development:

The region benefits from substantial investments in research and development (R&D). Public and private sectors invest heavily in developing new technologies and improving existing ones. Leading agricultural research institutions and universities in the United States and Canada play a pivotal role in advancing post-harvest treatment methods. This continuous R&D effort ensures that North America remains at the cutting edge of agricultural technology.

3. Strong Regulatory Frameworks:

North America has well-established regulatory frameworks that support the post-harvest treatment market. Agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) set stringent standards for food safety and quality, encouraging the adoption of best practices in post-harvest handling. These regulations not only protect consumer health but also enhance the marketability of produce, both domestically and internationally.

Inquire Before Buying: https://www.nextmsc.com/post-harvest-treatment-market/inquire-before-buying

4. High Consumer Awareness and Demand for Quality Produce:

Consumers in North America are increasingly aware of food safety and quality issues. There is a growing demand for fresh, high-quality produce that is free from harmful residues and has a longer shelf life. This consumer preference drives producers and retailers to invest in effective post-harvest treatments to meet market expectations.

Market Dynamics and Segmentation

1. Product Segmentation:

The post-harvest treatment market in North America is segmented into several categories based on the type of treatment. These include chemical treatments (e.g., fungicides and ethylene blockers), biological treatments (e.g., biopesticides), and physical treatments (e.g., refrigeration and irradiation). Among these, chemical treatments currently hold the largest market share due to their effectiveness and ease of application. However, there is a noticeable shift towards biological and physical treatments driven by consumer demand for organic and residue-free produce.

2. Application Segmentation:

The market is also segmented based on application, covering fruits, vegetables, and cereals. Fruits and vegetables dominate the market, reflecting their perishable nature and the high value associated with their quality preservation. Within these segments, specific crops such as apples, berries, and leafy greens are significant due to their sensitivity to post-harvest losses and their economic importance.

3. Distribution Channels:

Distribution channels in North America include direct sales to large retailers, sales through distributors, and online sales. The rise of e-commerce and online grocery shopping has added a new dimension to the distribution of post-harvest treated produce, providing opportunities for producers to reach a broader market.

Future Outlook and Challenges

1. Sustainable Practices:

Sustainability is becoming a central focus in the post-harvest treatment market. There is a growing emphasis on reducing the environmental impact of post-harvest treatments. This includes developing eco-friendly chemicals, promoting biological treatments, and optimizing energy use in storage and transportation. Innovations in biodegradable packaging and sustainable refrigeration technologies are expected to gain traction.

2. Integration of IoT and AI:

The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in post-harvest management is set to revolutionize the market. Smart sensors and AI-driven analytics can monitor storage conditions in real-time, predict spoilage, and optimize treatment applications. This technological integration can lead to significant reductions in waste and improvements in efficiency.

3. Global Competition and Trade Policies:

While North America leads the market, it faces competition from other regions such as Europe and Asia-Pacific, where significant advancements are also being made. Trade policies and international agreements will play a crucial role in shaping the future dynamics of the market. North America's ability to maintain its dominance will depend on its adaptability to global market trends and regulatory changes.

4. Addressing Labor Shortages:

Labor shortages in the agricultural sector pose a challenge to the effective implementation of post-harvest treatments. Automation and mechanization in post-harvest processes are essential to mitigate this issue. Investments in automated sorting, grading, and packaging systems will be critical to sustaining market growth.

Conclusion

North America's dominance in the post-harvest treatment market is underpinned by technological innovation, robust regulatory frameworks, and a strong consumer focus on quality and safety. As the market evolves, the region is well-positioned to lead the way in sustainable practices and technological integration.

However, maintaining this leadership will require continuous investment in R&D, adaptability to global trends, and addressing challenges such as labor shortages and environmental sustainability. The future of the post-harvest treatment market in North America looks promising, with potential for significant advancements that will benefit producers, consumers, and the broader agricultural sector.

[tuesday8econlive]

Supply and Demand (Anteatery!)

Hello! For my Econ Live Project, I decided to analyze the impacts of supply and demand in the anteatery. Through interviewing various students and conducting market research, I was able to understand how supply and demand affect the Anteatery! :)

Pranay Macherla

Student ID: 58662154

Discussion Time: Tuesday 8:00PM

[monday4econlive]

Economic Principles Related to Coke

As one of the most common drinks in life, Coke is very popular among people, and our group chose Coke as the theme for our econ live! We found out a lot of interesting economic facts about Coke.

First up, some thoughts on Coke and oligopoly from Zijing Zhu and Annie Yu.

While studying monopolies and oligopolies in class, Zijing and Annie ended up arguing over which is better: Coca-Cola or Pepsi. It's pretty funny, but it seems like everyone has their own preference, right? This debate actually sparked an idea for our project: we're going to explore the oligopoly that these two major beverage companies have created within the everyday beverage industry.

Many of the beverages you buy in life, besides Coca-Cola and Pepsi. In fact, many brands belong to these two companies as well, and for this reason I went to Walmart to do some research. Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Minute Maid, and Dasani are owned by The Coca-Cola Company, and PepsiCo Company owns the iconic Pepsi-Cola beverages, Mountain Dew beverages, Gatorade Sports Drinks, Lays Potato Chips, and Doritos Tortilla Chips.

An oligopoly is a market structure characterized by a small number of dominant firms. Unlike perfect competition, where numerous companies compete for a fraction of the market share, an oligopoly consists of a few large firms that have significant control over price and supply.

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo are major players in an oligopolistic market. This means that strategic planning and market maneuvers are crucial, as each company's actions can significantly impact the other's market share and profitability.

Coke and Pepsi have no cooperation because they are in a competitive relationship. To some extent, they are very similar to perfect competition. Coke and Pepsi only have one competitor, so they are very familiar with each other's prices and costs, contributing to enough information for the competition. The consumers are also aware of the two companies’ products and prices, adding information on the consumer side. If one company gets an advantage in production or marketing against the other company, they would profit from the competition. Therefore, the open information market situation of coke like drinks helps forming the competition between the two companies. An elastic demand occurs when the quantity demanded changes significantly in response to a change in price, whereas an inelastic demand occurs when the quantity demanded changes only slightly in response to a change in price. Coke is not like the water needed in daily life. If the price of water suddenly becomes very high, people will still want to spend money to get it because we need to drink water every day. However, coke-like drinks are not demand inelastic like water. If a coke company raises the price very high, no one will buy it. People can choose not to drink coke and substitute to drink juice or other soda. Even if Coke and Pepsi collude like other cartels in oligopolies, they do not gain huge profit due to the very elastic demand of coke-like drinks. Therefore, there is no or less incentives for Coke and Pepsi to collude. Moreover, coke-like drink is an inferior good when compared to other competitors in the drinks market. Both Coke and Pepsi have been accused of being unhealthy, which is why they are developing and producing newer and better goods – variations of coke-like drinks. An inferior good is a type of good for which demand decreases as consumer income increases. As people’s incomes increase, they transition into a healthier lifestyle and are willing to spend more money for the drinks they consume. This aspect of coke-like drinks also prevents Coke and Pepsi to collude because the raise of prices means a loss of target consumer group and a loss of competitive advantage with other choices of drinks.

Marginal Cost in Oligopoly

Coca-Cola production incurs several costs, including raw materials (sugar, flavors), packaging, labor, and manufacturing expenses. Marginal costs may decrease initially due to economies of scale, where average costs fall as production expands. However, beyond a certain point, marginal costs may start to increase if the firm faces capacity constraints or diminishing returns to scale.

Pricing strategy

Coca-Cola and PepsiCo use a differentiated pricing strategy. This means that they set different prices according to the needs of different markets and the purchasing power of consumers. For example, in developed countries, Coca-Cola's price is relatively high because people there are more affluent, while in developing countries, Coca-Cola's price is relatively low to attract more consumers. This fits with our class topic Demand and Supply. The demand-supply curve is different in different markets because the intersection of demand and supply is different. So in order to maximize profits, pricing is different in each country. Considering their oligopoly position in the industry, their pricing will also largely influence the pricing of other brands.

Disadvantages of Oligopoly

1. reduces consumer choice.

2. Cartel behavior reduces competition and may lead to higher prices and reduced output.

3. due to lack of competition, oligopolists may manipulate consumer decisions at will.

4. other firms may not be able to enter the market due to deliberate barriers to entry.

Advantages of oligopoly

1. oligopolies may adopt highly competitive strategies, in which case they can produce with more competitive market structure. This will result in lower prices for consumers.

2.Oligopolies may be more efficient in innovation and in the development of new products and processes. They generate excess profits that can be used for innovation.

3. Price stabilization may bring benefits to consumers and the macroeconomy.

The likes of Coca-Cola and Pepsi have not had a price increase since I was a kid and have always been the cheapest selling beverages in the supermarket as far as I can remember. They also continue to introduce new flavors or healthier zero-sugar versions of their drinks.

Next we present Sihan with some of his insights on Coke and Price elasticity.

If numerous substitutes or copycat alternatives are readily available, an uptick in the price of a specific product will lead to a significant decline in the market demand for that product, as consumers opt to purchase the substitutes instead. 

For instance, when the price of Coca-Cola rises, there's typically a significant decrease in the quantity demanded, as many consumers opt for readily available alternatives like Pepsi Cola or Fanta. This shift impacts the slope of the market demand curve.

Graphically, the market demand curve for Coca-Cola appears relatively flat.

When the price of a Coca-Cola rises from $1 to $2 per can, the market demand decreases from 100,000 cans to only 50,000 cans, moving from point B to A along the curve. This decrease represents a halving of demand.

 This indicates that market demand is highly responsive or sensitive to changes in price, suggesting that the demand curve is relatively elastic.

Finally, Gino from our group explored the supply and demand of Coke and discovered some interesting economic principles!

Demand Shifts in Coca-Cola's Market

The first graph represents two demand curves for Coca-Cola, D1, and D2, with D2 being to the right of D1, indicating an increase in demand. Several factors could account for this rightward shift; a rise in consumer income (assuming Coca-Cola is a normal good), an increase in the population of consumers, a change in consumer tastes and preferences in favor of Coca-Cola, or a rise in the price of substitute goods, such as Pepsi. Conversely, the curve also shows a potential leftward shift from D1 to D3, signaling a decrease in demand. This could be due to factors like a drop in consumer income, a decrease in population, a change in tastes and preferences away from soda consumption, or a decrease in the price of substitutes.

These shifts in demand demonstrate the law of demand, which states that there is an inverse relationship between the price of a good and the quantity demanded. As the demand curve shifts, it affects the equilibrium price and quantity in the market.

Supply Dynamics in Coca-Cola's Production

The second graph illustrates shifts in the supply curve of Coca-Cola from S1 to S2, and then potentially to S3. The movement from S1 to S2 is an outward or rightward shift, indicating an increase in supply. This can occur due to advancements in technology that improve production efficiency, a decrease in the cost of raw materials, or an increase in the number of suppliers in the market. The curve S3, to the left of S1, represents a decrease in supply, which might be caused by factors such as an increase in the cost of raw materials, natural disasters affecting production facilities, or government regulations.

The supply curve illustrates the law of supply, stating that there is a direct relationship between the price of a good and the quantity supplied, assuming other factors remain constant. Supply shifts lead to changes in the market equilibrium and have implications for Coca-Cola's pricing strategy.

Market Equilibrium and Elasticity

The intersection of the supply and demand curves determines the market equilibrium. The steepness or flatness of these curves is indicative of elasticity. If Coca-Cola's demand is price elastic, consumers are very responsive to price changes. However, if demand is price inelastic, as might be suggested by strong brand loyalty, consumers are less responsive to price changes. The same applies to supply elasticity; if Coca-Cola's supply is elastic, the company can easily adjust production in response to price changes.

Group members:

Zijing Zhu(#27149994)

Annie Yu(#35241664)

Sihan Chen(#25207808)

Gino Gu(#52086792)

A huge shoutout to our panelists for rocking it with their awesome commitment!

[dbunicorn]

I often hesitate to write or speak on certain topics. Either because they are out of my wheelhouse, or I have not done sufficient research or there are too many stakeholders already advocating. My opinion is meaningless. On the topic of the farmers protest I now feel compelled to speak. Also because we have ancestral land there. Food, clothing, shelter, energy, peace, security. The hallmarks of a flourishing society.

The bread basket of India.

In a free market system, with adequate insurance for crop yields, and enforceable water rights, environmental regulations, you'd think the farmers of India would be flourishing proudly feeding 1.4 billion people.

This is forced extraction into a nothing economy. The math makes no sense

[profbruce]

Mister 1000% ROI

Bruce M Firestone, PhD, and Andrew L Firestone, BA (Econ)

Any time someone offers you investments with returns of 1000% per year, you are right to be skeptical, but this is what Australian economist “Mr 1000%” Andrew Firestone has been working on for a number of years now. He reckons he will be able to present how households can add an equivalent of $60,000 to $70,000 AUD to their annual income with some fairly simple approaches he has studied and researched. These are activities with a very high return on their labor, capital, time and sweat equity inputs. I told him about the tiny house movement philosophy of “less house, more life” and he loved that idea, his tag line is “Better Income – Better Life,” a similar pattern.

But wait, it gets better. Like veg-o-matic, K-tel direct-marketing TV pitchmen of the 1960s whose mantra was, “It slices! It dices!” you pay no income tax on these earnings.

The Veg-o-matic

Huh? How is that even possible?

First, let’s work through the 1000% ROI number then deal with personal tax issues.

Full of Beans Case Study

Some years ago, Andrew purchased a pack of bean seeds for $3.50 that produced 250 grams per week of the sweetest freshest beans you can find anywhere; this went on for nine months in Canberra where he lives with his family[2]. The Canberra area has a relatively dry climate with warm to hot summers and cool winters. Elevation about sea-level is around 580-meters (1,900-feet) and you can see snow in the foothills around the capital city of Australia from time-to-time.

To keep them producing, Andrew staggers his planting. He then harvested seeds from his best producers to use for the next year (this will become important later).

Over the year, his bean yield was around 9 kilograms (nearly 20-pounds), which (as of 2021) retailed at $3.90 per kg in-store or $35.10 for his 9 kg. Now estimating his ROI is simple arithmetic—

ROI = ($35.10 - $3.50)/$3.50 = 903%

So, not quite a 1000% return, but getting close with two other key factors still to consider. It might be useful to note that a quick online search of bean prices today (circa 2024) shows much higher prices per kg for beans, ie, $11[3]! Now that’s inflation for you… And don’t forget—since Andrew’s bean seeds are now free, his ROI is currently infinite.

“But whoa, hold your horses[4],” you say. The above calculation doesn’t factor in the cost of Andrew’s labor, right?

Marble Bust of Homer

That’s true. It doesn’t. But it also doesn’t yet take into account taxes. For Andrew, the labor cost to add would be the income he could otherwise earn. But he is on a fixed salary and picking up a part-time job would be impractical. So, the real alternative is Andrew sitting in front of his TV for nine months instead of experiencing shinrin-yoku (the Japanese term for forest bathing), one could argue that his cost of labor is zero or even negative since gardening can be a positive health event, providing both exercise and mental well-being. Plus, how much work is involved? Very, very little, he informs us.

Practising forest bathing in Japan[6]

When he lived with his family in a small townhome, he was able to sneak his seeds into a tiny and neglected patch out front and just put the water to them; he used a bunch of weeds he removed from the scrubby yard as mulch. In the photos below you will also see a mandarin seedling he put in as well.

Andrew’s sneaky, puncy townhouse microgarden: YUMMY

What about income tax?

Well, the beauty of self-production is you don't pay any. If Andrew could have worked extra hours to buy his beans, he would have to pay income tax on that income before he was allowed to go ahead and spend it. There are a couple of ways to think about tax. Firstly, if he was to go out and earn the extra, he'd lose close to half of that marginal income to taxation, so the beans would really have cost at retail (back in 2021) about $70 in after-tax income[7]. Or if he was just using his regular work income, he would lose on average 25% of that so his beans would have really cost $46.80.

He tells me, he sees this pattern over and over again with home-based production. There are some less good returns, growing watermelons or pumpkins, for instance, but many traditional pastimes such as gardening, sewing, home preserving, brewing, etc will likely hit the 1000% mark.

In fact, Andrew calculates, a household could make the equivalent of $60,000 to $70,000 worth of taxable income (but, in fact, not subject to tax) at home per year doing these sorts of tasks!                  

Gender roles

As far back as the early 1980s, researchers noted that, “Women do two-thirds of the world's working hours but receive only one tenth of the income and own one hundredth of the property[8].”  But this need no longer be the case—traditional crafts are being rediscovered and families are making many of them “team sports.” Things on the following list are now being done by all—

home cooking/baking,

child minding,

dressmaking,

tailoring,

networking/sourcing/bartering[9],

yogurt making,

woodworking[10]/furniture production,

cakemaking,

candle making,

gardening (aka backyard homesteading),

cheese making,

beer brewing,

raising backyard chickens and/or ducks,

planting and harvesting fruit trees,

knitting,

load shifting—adding solar panels with battery storage[11],

clotheslines,

paying off your mortgage as quickly as possible[12],

hunting large game with old trucks in national parks (maybe 😊)

beautifying property with large shrubs/trees/creating a food forest[13]

retrofitting roof insulation where standards are poor[14]

Vertical urban farms

Andrew is also skeptical about the economics of vertical farming (as well as the lack of nutrition in they produce). And he is not alone[15].

He writes—

At the very least, vertical farming has to be direct to consumer but having the word “selling” in there is going to make it tough—all the regulatory issues, packaging, and taxes and other charges will likely kill them. They would have to be like strawberry farms back in the day: Give customers a basket and let them pick their own; the operator just weighs it at the register. But I can't see how that very, very, very expensive capital could ever pay for itself and the maintenance costs on those systems will be extreme. You have mineral rich water flowing through small pipes and pumps; it’ll be a clogging nightmare. You will have major condensation issues and molds will grow plus all sorts of ventilation problems. These can't be magically solved. They’ll need expensive energy and capital systems to deal with it. And in terms of this being “green,” not at all! These systems use steel and glass, and they are hugely energy intensive to make and run. There is no way to make that energy back over their economic lifetime. This is just some feel-good greenwashing.

By the way, you can make super cheap dome greenhouses using plastic sheeting and poly pipes that would have much less environmental impact. But places like Canada and the US Midwest aren’t ever going have economic, full-on heated greenhouses. If they go the cheap poly dome route and get more out of their shoulder seasons (that is, forgetting about December to February periods), they have a shot to make local produce work (better). Residents should simply put a bunch of raised garden beds with domes in their existing backyards over a weekend for something like $100 bucks.

Beautiful Legs Case Study

Andrew went hunting for a nice dining room table—one with actual real wood. Retail prices for this sort of thing were around $2,400 AUD at the time with a manufacturer’s rebate (coupon) available of $300[16] so a net effective price of $2,100. Thinking of proving his point once more about 1000% ROI being widely available but little known, he purchased 2 pairs of steel table legs for $85 and scrounged around for some old wooden planks, which he paid $105 for and set about doing some home woodworking himself. Again, his ROI is simple arithmetic—

pair of steel legs                              $85.00

solid wood planks                           $105.00

total cost          (home-based)        $190.00

retail price                                        $2,100.00

margin                                                $1,910.00

ROI                                                       1005%

E&OE

This did take him a while to complete so you might want to factor that in, but frankly, when returns are likely measured in triple digits or quadruple ones, you can stop measuring.

Bruce M Firestone, bruce@brucemfirestone.com Andrew L Firestone, a.l.firestone@gmail.com

COPYRIGHT, BRUCE M FIRESTONE, OTTAWA CANADA AND ANDREW L FIRESTONE, CANBERRA AUSTRALIA 2024.

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[1] Image source, BitBytes - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=93170611.

[2] In a cold northern shelf city like Canada’s Capital City (Ottawa), you would probably get six months and then only if you start your seedlings inside.

[3] For example, check out the price of Miss Melons fresh beans here, https://www.missmelons.com.au/products/beans.

[4] By the way, it was Homer not an American cowboy who first used this expression, Hold your horses—it was in book 23 of the Iliad.

[5] Image source, Originally from en.wikipedia; description page is/was here. Original uploader was JW1805 at en.wikipedia, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2171360.

[6] Image source, Teamsamuraispain - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=43516357.

[7] Bear in mind you don't compare your homegrown product against the cheapest produce available, but rather the freshest and best versions. When looking for crops to grow, probably best to focus on high nutrient and relatively high-cost foods.

[8] Said then President of the Canadian International Development Agency (Marcel Masse) in 1982, https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/07/06/Women-do-two-thirds-of-the-worlds-working-hours-but/9167394776000/.

[9] Historically, women were (are) balancing out equity across communities and sharing useful information more widely.           For example, a homemaker learns that a neighbor needs to clean out their stables. Next, the homemaker’s life partner helps muck out the stables and, in return, they receive a free load of manure for their backyard homestead garden. This networking/socializing is crucial in a tax-free, bartering-based, local economy...

[10] Think woodworking is one of humanity’s older art forms and that traditional skillsets have been (mostly) developed in the time period covered by recorded history (around 10,000 years)? Not so. Read this article about a recent archaeological discovery in Zambia of a log platform or shelter constructed 476,000 years ago by stone-age people. Some type of hominid accomplished this feat including notching the logs to make a better fit/stronger structure, https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-66846772. The BBC article is based on a paper published in the Nature journal, Evidence for the earliest structural use of wood at least 476,000 years ago, https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-023-06557-9.

[11] Unfortunately, according to a CSIRO study, solar hot water does not produce the desired ROI.

[12] Apparently, paying off your car loan early is not important, probably because cars are, for the most part, a depreciating asset.

[13] Tree planting improves property values by about 6%, provides shade, cooling, and wind protection, as well as fresh air. Combining that with a food forest increases ROI further…

[14] Returns of about 40% for your roof, 20% for walls and 5% for floors.

[15] For example, refer to: Vertical Farming Has Found Its Fatal Flaw, https://www.wired.co.uk/article/vertical-farms-energy-crisis.

[16] Car/boat/RV (caravan)/truck manufacturers have been using this “charade” for a long time. Here’s how it works—their distributors/dealers/shops sell Jane and John a car/boat/RV/caravan/truck/piece of furniture/whatever for $5,000. There is also a separate coupon which promises them a 15% manufacturer’s rebate (ie, $750) later on… Now, Jane and John aren’t rich dudes, so they finance (say) 100% of their purchase with some kind of a buy-now-pay-later lender. The lender sees they paid $5,000 so they lend John and Jane $5,000. But the manufacturer subsequently snail mails a check/cheque to John and Jane or otherwise reimburses them for their coupon in the amount of $750. Presto magic, John and Jane have their new car/boat/RV/caravan/truck/piece of furniture/whatever plus they also have $750 in cash now. What’s interesting about this is that the $750 cash back is not considered income in the hands of John and Jane, so they don’t have to pay any personal income tax on it. For the manufacturer, it’s an allowable expense (reduction in their income) so it too lowers their overall tax burden. Of course, John and Jane are now on the hook for repayment of $5,000 plus interest. But most people, especially young people and entrepreneurs of any age, have very high personal future discount rates so cash-in-hand might look good compared with a future payment plan of some sort.

[shanmark54]

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