1. Markets in Everything: NFL online courses for ejected fans and a West Hollywood restaurant that offers a 5% discount on your meal if you leave your phone with the receptionist.
2. The Billion Prices Project @ MIT updated daily prices for July, showing that annual inflation continues to decline, falling to 1.20% through the end of July. Inflation is dead. At least for now. Related article from NPR, "Everybody Always Thinks Inflation Is Higher Than It Really Is."
3. The American Chemistry Council recently introduced the Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB) - a leading economic indicator based on chemical industry activity. The August CAB increased by 0.4% from July and by 1.1% from a year ago. This is the second monthly increase in the CAB, and follows upward revisions for June and July, suggesting slow economic growth for the rest of the year. We've heard that before.
4. Boston Market announced today that it will remove all salt shakers from tables at all 476 locations, and will roll out reduced-sodium menu items in the coming months. Was Mayor Bloomberg involved?
5. 3D printing updates: a) A 3D printed bikini is the world's first clothing made from a 3D printer and b) bicycle companies are now 3D printing prototype bikes.
6. California has a 10.7% jobless rate but a shortage of farm labor so serious that it's being described as the "worst it's ever been." Number of local residents applying for the farm jobs? None.
7. D’oh! The U.S. Post Office is Stuck with 682 million unsold Simpsons stamps and a $1.2 million printing bill.
8. Post Office vs. Amtrak: Who wins the title for the most wasteful government agency? Find out here. Hint: They might not have accounted for the unsold Simpsons stamps.
9. Smartphone penetration in the U.S. breaks the 50% barrier in the U.S. for the first time.
10. Layoffs mount at U.S. wind power manufacturing plants as the production tax credit for wind nears its expiration. Another greendoggle for an energy source that can't survive without massive taxpayer life support.
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