Economic - Blog Posts

Note to myself : Writing notes alongside while learning is the best method to absorb the text .

fiscal cliff

so what exactly is the Fiscal Cliff? I’m sure you seen the phrase - Fiscal Cliff - dominating the radio, TV, internet, etc. for the past month and days to come. Pundits (politicians) and economists at Harvard turned their attention to the dire predictions of the possible and theoretically outcome of “the fiscal cliff.” Overall, at its core, this event could leave a deep impact and dominate our lives for the foreseeable future. Think of it as the economic version of Hurricane Sandy that swarmed the Wall Street (the Northeast) few weeks ago. It all begins with the December 31, 2012 expiration of the Bush tax cuts. Originally, these tax cuts were schedules to end back in 2010; however, they were extended for two years in a horse trade between President Obama and the GOP (Republican Party) controlled Congress. If you can recall the 2010 election victory, wherein President Obama agreed to continue tax cuts for all Americans in an exchange for Congress agreeing to extend the unemployment benefits for ones out of work. So, if the Bush tax cuts is just allowed to expire - it will raise taxes for most Americans. And another godawful news is that the temporary, Obama administration’s two percent tax cuts, is also scheduled to expire on December 31st. Nothing done, on January 1st, millions of Americans will be paying $2k to $3k additional dollars in taxes each year - leaving them with $3k less to spend (on our Capitalistic consumer driven economy).   These cuts hit all areas of the federal budget, including the Medicare, the Education, the FEMA, and the Defense. When you add up the increased payment of taxes and the cuts in government spending, we are looking at taking somewhere around $800 billion out of the U.S. economy next year—producing the potential for devastating consequences. Now, Obama administration and the GOP have quite different thoughts on taxing the ones who earn more than $250,000 a year. The whole government is sort of polymorphic now. Although the media might make you feel cacophonous (or that this post is obfuscation) for the next week, the White House will soon release the economic road-map for the upcoming years.

overconsumption & hauls: the dangerous economics of social media and influencer culture

in today’s digital world, social media isn’t just a place for connection—it’s become a marketplace built on excess. enter “haul culture”—the trend where influencers and everyday users show off their massive shopping sprees, glorifying the idea that happiness can be bought in bulk. but behind the glossy videos and perfectly curated posts lies a destructive force: overconsumption. and while this culture has made influencers rich, it’s doing real damage to our planet, our mental health, and our collective future.

the rise of haul culture

haul videos have taken over our feeds—shiny, polished showcases of endless shopping sprees, often packed with cheap, disposable items. the message? "more is better." it's a dangerous illusion that tells us we need to buy more, own more, and display more in order to feel valued or connected. and it’s not just entertainment—it’s a commercial machine, pushing us to spend money on things we don’t need just to keep up.

the toxic economics of influencer culture

influencers may have become millionaires thanks to haul culture, but the truth is, they’re feeding a system that thrives on our insatiable desire for more. each haul video, each new product, and each brand partnership isn’t just about showcasing new stuff—it’s about driving us to consume endlessly. influencers profit directly when we buy through their affiliate links, and brands reap the rewards of an audience hooked on constant purchasing. this cycle isn’t just unhealthy—it’s unsustainable.

the real cost: waste and environmental destruction

haul culture is pushing us toward an environmental crisis. fast fashion alone contributes to 10% of global carbon emissions, and influencer-driven overconsumption only worsens the problem. cheap, poorly made products are bought, used briefly, and then discarded, adding to the growing mountains of waste. the “buy-and-return” culture has created an endless loop of production, waste, and pollution, all in the name of fleeting trends.

the psychological toll of constant consumption

let's talk about the mental toll. social media feeds us a toxic message that we’re not enough as we are—we need the latest products, the newest gadgets, the trendiest clothes to feel happy or worthy. it’s a lie. the constant bombardment of “buy this, buy that” fosters feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and fear of missing out (fomo). influencers, knowingly or unknowingly, perpetuate this damaging narrative, making us believe that material goods are the key to self-worth and success.

a call for change: embracing mindful consumption

it’s time to wake up. the endless cycle of buying and discarding has to stop. we need to reject the idea that happiness can be bought in bulk and embrace conscious consumption. influencers and brands have a responsibility to lead the way—stop promoting mindless buying and start advocating for sustainability, quality, and intentional living. we need to buy less, choose better, and make products last.

conclusion: a sustainable future starts now

haul culture has grown into a behemoth, but we cannot afford to ignore the damage it’s causing. overconsumption isn’t just an economic issue—it’s a crisis. from environmental degradation to psychological harm, the price we’re paying for this culture of excess is far too high. it’s time to reclaim our power, to choose conscious consumption, and to reject the narrative that our worth is tied to material goods. the future depends on it.

It is also v important that people (aka broke ppl like us with the voting power and power of choice) don't just shrug our shoulders as well and go OH that's how the world works.

Yes, that is how it had worked for a long time. But a little awareness on our part and actions can really help too. This is beyond ts.

This is just stupid fucking capitalism. Know ur econ policies of ur states and or nation. Don't let rich ppl glam blind u from things.

End rant. Also taylor love u. TS stans, pls don't come after me peace and love mwah

taylor swift, ticketmaster, and why monopolies kinda suck

so you tried to get eras tour tickets. you sat in that cursed little waiting room, heart racing, snacks untouched, fully prepared to go to war. and then... ticketmaster self-destructed. bots took your spot. resale prices shot up to “sell your kidney on the dark web” levels.

but plot twist: this wasn’t just a tech glitch. it’s economics. specifically: monopoly power. let’s unpack it, swifty-style.

a monopoly is when one company basically owns the whole playground. no competition means they get to:

set the prices stupid high

give you terrible service

shrug when things fall apart

ticketmaster isn’t the only ticketing company technically, but after it merged with live nation in 2010, it gained a whole lot of control over:

the tickets

the venues

even the artists

that’s called vertical integration.

how this turned into the eras tour apocalypse:

demand: 3.5 million+ people signed up

supply: not even close to enough seats

ticketmaster: crashed. burned. bots thrived.

prices: “dynamic pricing” kicked in, aka surge pricing for concerts. seats hit $4k+.

and because they’re so dominant in the market, you didn’t have real alternatives. no other sellers. no options.

technically, it’s legal. but antitrust laws are supposed to stop companies from getting this kind of power. problem is, enforcement is kinda mid.

after the eras disaster, congress actually held a hearing called:

“that’s the ticket: promoting competition and protecting consumers in live entertainment.”

yes. actual senators quoted taylor lyrics in official government docs. this is our timeline.

what this teaches you (besides never trusting ticketmaster):

monopolies = higher prices, worse experiences, no choices

big mergers can quietly make competition disappear

economic policy absolutely affects your real life (even your chance to scream “all too well” live)