Why does the world
work like that?
Prices. Choices. Trades. And the things that don’t quite go to plan. Discover the economics hiding in everyday life.
Find something interesting ↓Bring your curiosity. We’ll bring the ice cream.
A whole world of “what if?”Pick a question.
Any story. Any order. One idea at a time.
Each story guides you through nine short steps.
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16 stories to explore
Can a trade make both people richer?
Two cards change hands. Nothing new is made. Somehow, both people win. Where did the extra value come from?
What if ice cream could only cost $1?
Cheap ice cream sounds wonderful. But a new price tag changes more than the money you pay.
Why might everyone catch too many fish?
Every fisher wants a healthy lake. So how could they all end up empty-handed?
Can a broken window make a town richer?
A flying ball. A shattered window. A repairer gets paid—but someone else’s plan disappears.
Why can’t we do everything we want?
A free Saturday still has a price: choosing one adventure means giving up another.
Why team up with someone slower than you?
Amir is faster at both fairground jobs. Bea can still help their team make more.
How does a price send a message?
Rain ruins part of a strawberry harvest. A little price tag carries the news across town.
What is a profit trying to tell us?
A busy lemonade stand can still lose money. Follow the receipts, costs, and rival next door.
Will a machine steal everyone’s work?
A badge press makes the fairground team much faster. What happens to the hours it saves?
What happens when the minimum wage rises?
Higher hourly pay sounds simple. Follow the workers who stay, the hours offered, and the choices of employers.
Why is the cheap apartment so hard to find?
A rent limit helps one family stay. Another family is still searching. Follow both stories.
Who pays for a tax on foreign bicycles?
A border tax promises to help local bike makers. Follow the bill beyond the factory gate.
What if your bargain makes someone else pay?
A workshop’s cheap smoke-filled shortcut leaves the neighbors with dirty laundry.
What if there’s only one seller?
The only bridge into town has a toll. A profitable price can leave worthwhile trips unmade.
Would you buy a mystery game console?
The seller knows whether the battery works. You don’t. Some good trades may never happen.
Who pays for a light everyone can use?
Four neighbors want a safer-looking path after dark. Each hopes somebody else will pay.