Topic: Technology
When Surge Pricing Comes to the Supermarket
Charging more at peak times could reduce congestion and lift profits. Would customers revolt?
How Many Pairs of Sandals Would You Look at Online?
On your phone, about 20. How retailers can best harvest sales from those glances
Testing 17 Theories on the Development of Complex Civilizations
Large-scale data project produces stark conclusion: military technology + agricultural productivity caused the takeoff
Two Tech Giants — and Two Very Different Acquisition Strategies
Alphabet’s M&A feeds its core business; Amazon’s more likely to push into new areas
Taxing Jet Fuel Could Reduce Airline Greenhouse Gas Emissions Now
Breakthrough technologies are years off for aviation, but incremental improvements are available
Mobile Banking, a Boon to Many, Disadvantages Those Who Bank at Branches
Banks close neighborhood outlets and raise prices for branch-delivered services
A Renter and Property Owner Meet on Airbnb: Will They Ditch the Site?
The risk for matching platforms is affected by levels of fees and what’s disclosed about buyer and seller
Amazon (and Other Platforms) vs. Third-Party Sellers: Complicated Debate
Some data shows competing against the platform can help sellers, if not consumers
Dividing Patients Between Telehealth, In-Office Primary Care and Referral to Specialists
Getting the mix right is the goal of a Medicare pilot, which itself could use substantial improvement
The Role of Chance Encounters in Silicon Valley Innovation
Cellphone signals and patent citations approximate a theory’s long-sought paper trail
College Completion and Your Genome (Don’t Get Too Excited)
It’s still early days in genetic research, though advances will aid study of educational attainment and, notably, disease
How Far Would You Go for an Ivy League Kid?
Study finds interest in screening embryos for education propensity, especially if everyone else is doing it
People Prioritize Shared Experiences, Even When Apart
People will endure inconvenience to synchronize events, regardless of proximity
Matching Algorithms Work Fine — Until Bypassed By External Links
How to rebalance supply and demand amid today’s chaotic internet traffic
Trying Out Bonus-Pay Theory on Unsupervised, Low-Skill Tasks
Incentives boost output, but benefits level off at a fairly low point