From Dollars to Alpaca, Informal Markets Thriving

Is dollarization or improved printing technology leading to more counterfeiting throughout Latin America?  Or perhaps it is more intrinsic in the structure of their institutions and culture in these countries.

Here’s an interview on Peruvian women in the informal economy who are joining trade unions.  I wonder how much they think about the economics of unemployment in their negotiations?  Government concern for the Alpaca trade has led to a questionable program to put microchips in the Alpacas ears in hopes to keep good wool local, even though it is valued much higher abroad.

In other places, some are trying to change incentives on the informal market.  India has implemented a VAT that includes hopes of stunting the informal market for mobile phones.  This opinion discusses some features of the value added tax, including how it cuts into informal markets.

Loveboat with a Timecard

Outsourcing to international waters to avoid H-1B visa regulations.  Countries are just arbitrary, time-sensitive definitions anyway.

Tourism from Above

Using the satellite feature of Google Maps and resourceful users, the blog Google Sightseeing shares the world from above.

Friends From Above

You may not be able to zoom in on the owl house, but the barn, the driveway, the neighbor!  Google Maps now has satellite view.  The most reasonable uses that come right to mind are 1) star-perspectived entertainment and 2) writing invites for space-themed parties.