Friday Fun

America’s economy is not skating on thin ice, but it does feel a bit like the ice could be more solid. It’s frozen enough to etch its direction of travel across the surface, but there are hints of fragility beneath which should not be ignored, especially if one is inclined to do a quad axel.

Atlas has been noticing recently what is called the K-shape of the American economy. In short, a portion of the economy, and a relatively small segment at that, has fared relatively well while a larger ratio of the population seems to be having a different experience.

Tariffs are difficult for those paying them.

Here we are the day after Christmas, and many countries are now celebrating Boxing Day.  In nations like the UK, Canada, Hong Kong, and Nigeria, this day was born in the tradition of charity.  Wealthy employers would often give servants the day off to enjoy and provide them with boxes containing everything from food and gifts to bonuses.  You may have noticed America is not conta

In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Juliet reflects that “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” In other words, the essence of the thing (in her case Romeo), not the label, is what truly matters.

Pennies have officially been discontinued in the United States, ending more than 230 years of production. The final batch was minted in mid-2025, and no new one-cent coins are planned for circulation. This decision follows years of debate over the rising cost of minting pennies, which now costs about four cents per coin.

Having not seen it elsewhere, Atlas may have coined an acronym: NAIIMBY (No Artificial Intelligence In My Backyard).  A movement against AI data centers in American neighborhoods is intensifying.  Residents across the country are growing concerned about these massive facilities, which are often sited near homes, schools, and farms.  In places like Virginia, Indiana, and Michigan,

This year, Halloween spending is set to break records, casting a festive but even slightly spooky shadow over consumer wallets.  According to the National Retail Federation's annual survey, Americans are projected to shell out a chilling $13.1 billion, a climb from last year's $11.6 billion and surpassing 2023's previous high.  Despite concerns about higher prices, especia

“Because that’s where the money is” is an apocryphal quote attributed to Willie Sutton after he was allegedly asked why he robs banks.  He went on to deny saying it but also believes that would have been his answer had the question actually been posed.  Since his time as a bank robber, banking has changed a lot.  Just recently I discovered that the branch I open