March 14, 2013

The Economics of the Big Soda Ban

The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free.

While Michael Bloomberg’s plan to limit the sale of large sodas was shot down by a judge, Big Think Chief Economist Daniel Altman tackles the economic ideas behind this plan. Would it have worked?

Watch the video here:

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

The most surprising and impactful new stories delivered to your inbox every week, for free.

A close-up of a spotted nudibranch with translucent, pointed cerata on a brown underwater branch against a black background, inviting reflection on the intricate nature of consciousness in marine life.

Books

What sea slugs can teach us about the nature of consciousness

In this excerpt from “One Hand Clapping,” Nikolay Kukushkin makes the case that neurons reveal how memory, meaning, and even consciousness emerge from the same biological roots in humans, sea slugs, and beyond.

A detailed black and white illustration of a toad on a green background, with the word "Car" written below it.

The Well

Even AI is self-censoring. Here’s why that matters.

If the people controlling AI are biased, the output will also be. Free speech scholar Jacob Mchangama makes the case for completely open-source AI.

▸

3 min

—

with

Jacob Mchangama

A soldier in camouflage uniform holding a Ukrainian flag stands amid rubble, facing a damaged building.

Books

How neuroscience is rewriting the story of war

In “Warhead,” neuroscientist and national security adviser Nicholas Wright explains how the brain navigates warfare and why it is our ultimate weapon (and instrument for peace).

Coastal Mediterranean village with white buildings, a sandy beach, colorful boats, and clear turquoise sea under a bright blue sky.

The Present

Seaflooding: How we could engineer the next Mediterranean

Bold megaprojects could turn dry depressions into thriving new hubs of life.

Collage with "The Nightcrawler" text, an image of a tree, two photos of elderly hands working with clay—reminiscent of Warren Buffett’s wisdom—and partial faces of an older person, all highlighted by orange accents.

Business

Lessons from two of the greatest investors of all time

Welcome to The Nightcrawler — a weekly newsletter from Eric Markowitz covering tech, innovation, and long-term thinking.

Up Next

Colorado’s Conservative Affirmative-Action Scheme

So the University of Colorado has hired my friend Steve Hayward to be a visiting professor in conservative thought and policy. Some alum’ funded the position because he believed that students […]