Blog

Do we need to regulate Bicycle-Sharing?

As bicycle-sharing becomes more ubiquitous in Singapore, there are some commentators who have lamented its negative social consequences. And much like how government regulation was introduced for ride-sharing businesses such as Grab and Uber, it…

Ep17 Why is Healthy Food so Expensive? (with…

Have you ever wondered why healthy foods such as salads or organic food are so costly? I mean they’re just vegetables and sauce, how expensive could they be? So are these foods actually overpriced or…

Ep16 What is Market Failure? (With Bryan Cheang…

In today’s episode I’m honoured to welcome back Bryan Cheang of Students for Liberty to discuss the fascinating topic of market failure. We discuss the textbook definition of the phrase, how it deviates from the…

Ep15 Toys ‘R’ Us Goes Bankrupt, And Why…

In this week’s episode, we take a deeper look at the economics behind the recent bankruptcy filing of Toys ‘R’ Us, and discover why, in the short term at least, fans have nothing to worry…

Ep14 Price Gouging is a Basic Economic Function

Why do some people charge ridiculous prices for water during Hurricane Harvey? Why do others re-sell concert tickets at ludicrous prices? Are they just awful individuals looking to make a quick buck at the expense…

Is PM Lee’s “Cashless Society” Misguided?

Recently, I've come across an article by Kevin McSpadden on the e27 website. In it, McSpadden presents a critical view of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's emphasis on gearing Singapore towards being a cashless society.…

Should we get paid for User Data?

Where in the last podcast episode I talked with Otto Lehto about the concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI), today's follow up relates to an article in the Financial Times by John Thornhill.  Thornhill's article…

Ep13 What is a Universal Basic Income? with…

What would you say to the idea of Universal Basic Income (UBI) where you receive a monthly cash handout from the government at the beginning of each month unconditionally? Might it help a majority of…

Globalization doesn’t mean no Localization

There is a line of thinking that goes: with the increasing spread of globalization brings the death of local cultures and characteristics. This idea borrows from many different facets such as economics, politics, and even…