Economy
Discover facts about economy. Small discoveries that change the way you see familiar things.
Economy
Peter Jackson had to sue for his movie profits
You would think directing a trilogy that dominates global box offices would earn you some baseline respect from your financial backers. Instead, Peter Jackson…
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How bubble tests became a business
A single entity managed to monopolize the entire concept of filling in bubbles with a number two pencil. By integrating their proprietary scanning machines…
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Chicago sold its parking meters for 75 years
In a display of stunningly short-sighted municipal planning, a major metropolis leased its entire parking meter system to a private consortium for…
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One minute of AC/DC can cost a fortune
Want to inject some pure adrenaline into your blockbuster film with a classic rock anthem? Prepare to empty your entire audio budget. The legendary rock band…
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Why professors review papers for free
In any normal sector, providing expert quality control for a multi-billion dollar entity would command a massive salary. In academia, it is considered a…
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Super Bowl stars get no performance fee
Delivering the most widely viewed musical performance on the planet comes with an incredibly disappointing paycheck. The league famously covers the…
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Stan Lee sued Marvel over promised profits
Creating an entire universe of beloved superheroes guarantees you immortal fame, but apparently not a fair share of the revenue. Stan Lee had an agreement…
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Why court transcripts can cost you per page
Recording the official events of a trial is a crucial function of the justice system, and also a brilliant side hustle. Court reporters often hold the…
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Why Kickstarter does not guarantee a product
Throwing your capital at a brilliant pitch for a revolutionary new cooler or video game feels like being a visionary backer. Unfortunately, the fine print of…
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How one movie download could trigger a lawsuit
Forget about tracking down massive syndicates; the real revenue is in extorting terrified individuals. Specialized legal entities monitor internet traffic for…
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How police can seize property without a conviction
In a twisted parody of justice, authorities can legally confiscate your private property simply by accusing the item itself of being involved in a crime.…
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Jury duty pays citizens with insulting daily stipends
Civic duty is mandatory, but fair compensation is entirely optional. Citizens forced to take time away from their livelihoods to serve on a jury are typically…
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Darth Vader’s actor was denied residuals
Being the physical embodiment of the most iconic villain in cinematic history apparently does not pay the bills. David Prowse, the man inside the suit, was…
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How private booting companies hold cars for ransom
Parking slightly over the line in a private lot often summons a predatory enforcement squad faster than emergency services. Independent booting entities…
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The hit song that earned The Verve nothing
Writing the defining anthem of the late nineties is great, unless you accidentally sample an orchestral cover of an old rock track. The Verve negotiated…
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How record labels claim a share of touring money
When album sales plummeted due to digital downloads, record conglomerates refused to watch their margins shrink. They introduced the 360-deal, a draconian…
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The six-second drum break that made others rich
The foundation of entire genres like hip-hop and drum-and-bass rests entirely on a single six-second drum solo from 1969. Richard L. Spencer arranged the…
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Why Sony can't stop making Spider-Man movies
Creating endless cinematic reboots of the same web-slinging hero is not about artistic vision; it is a legal hostage situation. The studio's licensing…
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Why movie ratings cost studios so much
Want to warn parents about the amount of swearing in your new film? That basic public service will cost you a small fortune. The independent board responsible…
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Forensic experts charge astronomical hourly consulting fees
Justice is supposedly blind, but it definitely checks your credit score first. Securing a highly credentialed forensic specialist to testify on your behalf…
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Why academics pay to present their own research
You would assume that delivering groundbreaking research at a major academic gathering would earn you a speaking fee. Instead, the prestige comes with a…
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Graduation gown rentals heavily markup cheap polyester
Celebrating the culmination of years of intense academic effort requires participating in a final, mandatory financial shakedown. Students are forced to rent…
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Why celebrities can be sued for posting their own photos
Owning your own likeness seems logical, but copyright law prioritizes the person holding the camera. When aggressive photographers snap a picture of a famous…
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Why colleges make scholarships look bigger
Universities mastered the art of deceptive pricing long before modern department stores. Institutions deliberately set their official tuition rates…
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