The 10 Most Interesting Things We Learned on Odd Lots in 2024
Odd Lots
Deep Dive
How does McDonald's use its app to influence pricing based on customer behavior?
McDonald's app, developed by Plexure, collects data on user behavior, including location, food preferences, ordering habits, and financial behaviors. It uses this data to predict what customers are willing to pay, adjusting prices based on factors like payday, weather, and time of day. For example, it might offer a $3 McMuffin on Thursday before payday but raise it to $4 on Friday when customers have more money.
Why is kidney dialysis a significant part of the federal budget?
Kidney dialysis accounts for about 1% of the federal budget, serving approximately 500,000 patients. The program is costly because patients typically require dialysis three times a week indefinitely, and kidney transplants are rare. Additionally, Medicare fraud has been a significant issue, with billions spent on non-emergency ambulance transportation for dialysis patients.
What is the significance of Boeing's lack of clean sheet aircraft designs?
Boeing hasn't designed a clean sheet aircraft since 2004, and its former CEO stated there are no plans to do so for another decade. This 30-year gap raises concerns about the company's future, as it risks losing market share and engineering expertise. Without new designs, Boeing may struggle to compete and attract top talent in the aerospace industry.
How has Starlink helped Ukraine's postal service during the war?
Starlink has enabled Ukraine's postal service to operate in war-torn areas by providing internet connectivity where infrastructure has been destroyed. Mail carriers download data via Starlink and generators in the morning, work offline during the day, and upload data at night. This system allows the postal service to function independently of central infrastructure, even in occupied or damaged regions.
What strategies do professional sports bettors use to avoid detection by betting platforms?
Professional sports bettors often use multiple accounts, including those of friends or family, to avoid detection. They also place initial bets that appear normal or unprofitable to disguise their expertise. For example, they might bet on popular teams or events to avoid raising suspicion before placing more strategic bets.
Why is Indonesia a key player in the global nickel market?
Indonesia dominates the global nickel market due to its abundant reserves of high-quality ore and significant investments from China. The Chinese government partnered with Indonesia to develop nickel production, which is crucial for electric vehicle batteries. This collaboration has made Indonesia a leading supplier of nickel, essential for the energy transition.
What are the concerns surrounding private credit in the economy?
Private credit lacks transparency, as the value of loans is often unclear until they are exited. This opacity can lead to misvaluation and illiquidity in the market. Additionally, the shift from publicly traded debt to private credit reduces price signals that help policymakers and investors assess economic risks and opportunities.
Why are chicken wing prices so volatile?
Chicken wing prices are volatile because poultry companies primarily base their production on breast meat demand, not wings. Wings make up only 6-8% of the bird, so their supply fluctuates independently of demand. This dynamic leads to significant price swings, such as during the pandemic when wing prices hit an all-time high of $3.21 per pound.
How has the FDA's crackdown on Juul impacted the disposable vape market?
The FDA's crackdown on Juul led to the rise of disposable vapes like Elf Bar, which bypassed regulatory processes by flooding the market through front companies. These companies rebrand frequently and use American citizens as fronts to import products, making it difficult for the FDA to enforce regulations. This has resulted in a proliferation of flavored, disposable vapes.
- McDonald's uses the Plexure app to gather user data.
- Data is used to predict willingness to pay based on payday and environmental factors.
- Concerns about inflation and personalized pricing are discussed.
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