During the CNN GOP Debate in March, Donald Trump incorrectly categorizes discouraged workers as being statistically part of the employment rate because they are no longer considered unemployed. This classic mistake forgets that there are a class of people in the country who are not in the labor force.
Life Cycle Considerations in Modern Family
One of the tougher topics to get across to students is why older workers leave the labor force. One explanation for the leave is that they see a decrease in their human capital and that some of their previous training is no longer relevant. This clip does a good job bringing humor to a topic that often sounds derogatory.
Manny tries to teach his step father how to use the double-click feature on his tablet, but Jay struggles to understand.
Last Week Tonight — Minimum Wage Controversy Explained
John Oliver responds to the critics of minimum wage increases and living wage opponents.
Catch Me If You Can: Supply Curve
Here’s a clip from Catch Me If You Can illustrating a few great supply curve principles, including reservation wage. This is the full scene, but you can clip it at 1:19 to show just the relevant parts.
American Experience: Henry Ford’s $5 per Day
From the PBS documentary series, American Experience. The subject is Henry Ford. This clip is about Henry Ford doubling the workers wage to $5 a day which revolutionize wages for the typical American worker.
We The Economy: Monkey Business
What are the causes of inequality?
In “Monkey Business,” filmmaker Shola Lynch chats with economists from across the political spectrum to help explain the causes of economic inequality, with help from a couple of mammalian friends.
The Economist: Migration
The Economist reports on how immigrants help both the countries they leave and those to which they move.
Last Week Tonight: Gender Pay Gap
John Oliver explores America’s wage gap between men and women and proposes a possible solution.
Note: Solution proposed is 100% sarcastic.
The Perfect Storm: The Giant Wave
In October 1991, a dying tropical hurricane from Bermuda collided with a cold front from the Great Lakes, resulting in a “perfect storm” of previously unknown destructive impact that resulted in 100-foot waves; tragically, the crew of a fishing boat was lost in the midst of the fearsome storm.
I use this as the introduction to my Compensating Differentials chapter. How much would you need to get on this boat?
ABC News: GW Bridge Painter: Dangerous Jobs
Hanging more than 600 feet above 24 lanes of traffic for these guys is just another day at the office.