What's In a Name?

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."

Juliet tells Romeo that a name is nothing more than an artificial and meaningless convention. Was Shakespeare way off? Do names really dictate things like economic success? The folks over at the Freakonomics blog have put together some interesting studies. Check out the links below and leave a comment. Do you agree with with the findings? Why or why not?

http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2012/02/09/people-with-easy-to-pronounce-names-more-likely-to-succeed/?icid=maing-grid10|htmlws-main-bb|dl15|sec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D135234

http://www.slate.com/articles/business/the_dismal_science/2005/04/a_roshanda_by_any_other_name.single.html

http://www.freakonomics.com/2009/10/22/kevin-is-not-a-name-its-a-diagnosis/

http://www.thelocal.de/society/20090918-22019.html

The end of Money?

Is a moneyless society in our future? Has money become nothing more than an abstract idea as useful as the human appendix? David Wolman certainly thinks so. Where do you stand on the issue? Read the following interview with David Wolman and answer the questions that follow.

http://gizmodo.com/5882836/lets-kill-cash-qa-with-author-david-wolman-on-our-moneyless-future

1) Can society function without using a tangible money? What are the benefits/dangers with such a society?
2) What are David Wolman's best arguments? Explain.
3) What points does David Wolman make that you disagree with? Explain.

National Debt: Who will be paying America's growing bill?

The Debate over the National Debt is an issue that came to a head this summer as the Federal Government approached the debt ceiling. Many wonder if the debt is growing too large and who will be paying back the trillions of dollars owed by the government.

Below are a few websites that might provide insight into the two sides of the issue.

http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2011/02/22/the-u-s-national-debt-how-bad-is-the-problem/


http://www.globalissues.org/article/29/causes-of-the-debt-crisis

http://money.cnn.com/2011/01/03/news/economy/debt_ceiling_faqs/index.htm

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2009/09/bill_us_later.html

http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2011/03/31/how-the-national-debt-affects-you

Be sure to check out all of the sites before responding to the following questions:

1. Exactly who or what is responsible for the growing U.S. National Debt?
2. Is the debt a problem that we need to address immediately or is the debt a natural occurrence in our economic system.
3. Would it be a good idea to pass a law that forces the federal government to maintain a balanced budget? Why or why not?
   

The Debt Ceiling

Within the next few days, our government is going to run out of money. I will give you a moment to frantically run around and panic.


OK welcome back... hopefully you didn't smash your monitor or really do something you will regret later.


So now that we have calmed down, lets examine the debt ceiling and discuss some possible solutions to this problem.



The Debt Ceiling, Explained: Planet Money
Debt Ceiling: Battle Heats Up
Treasury to tap Pensions to help fund government
Debt Ceiling

So is the debt ceiling something we should really be worrying about? What would happen if the government does default on its loans? How would you go about fixing this potentially devastating problem. Discuss below.

Keynes vs. Hayek: The Second Bout

The Keynesian vs. Classical debate still rages today as the economy faces unemployment and governments around the country face rising debts. Read the article to help you decide whose corner you are in. http://www.soundmoneyproject.org/?p=2085 http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704738404575347300609199056.html

Also, be sure to check out the rap video posted below.

Keynes vs. Hayek: Fear the Book and Bust

Keynes vs. Hayek: Round 2... Fight of the Century

Cheaters never win... except on Wall Street

In a recent survey, 9 out of every 10 people have admitted to cheating in school, at work, or in some other aspect of life at least once in their lives. Pretty scary to think about, isn't it?

The truth is that the above statistic is completely made up... I cheated by citing some made up survey in order to catch your attention. I bet it worked though.

So the question is this: just how wide spread is cheating in our society? After reading the following article from the NY Times, I would like you to answer the questions.


A Monopoly on Cheating

1. Cheating is part of the bedrock of human society. Explain whether you agree or disagree.
2. How can driving on the freeway demonstrate the strong temptation to cheat.
3. Do you agree that cheaters never win and winners never cheat? Explain.

The Final Countdown

You are almost there ladies and gentlemen. With the AP exam less than 48 hours away, here are some last minute tidbits that will help you with your studying.

First off, here is a link to the College Board AP Macroeconomics Free Response section. Be sure to check your answers with the scoring guidelines section.

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/economics_macro/samp.html?macro


Secondly, here are the answers from the latest MC exam that was given to you.

1.E 2.D 3.A 4.C 5.C 6.B 7.B 8.A 9.B 10.E 11.D 12.C 13.A 14.B 15.D 16.E 17.D 18.C 19.E 20.C 21.A 22.B 23.D 24.E 25.D 26.B 27.E 28.D 29.A 30.D 31.C 32.B 33.B 34.D 35.A 36.C 37.E 38.E 39.A 40.D 41.B 42.A 43.C 44.B 45.A 46.C 47.C 48.E 49.B 50.B 51.E 52.D 53.B 54.D 55.A 56.D 57.E 58.A 59.D 60.C

Please email me with any questions.

GOOD LUCK ON THE AP EXAM!!!