Prompt Cast
Economics of Goldfish and the Shadowy Ice Cream Barter Economy
TLDR Goldfish are mass-produced primarily as food, explaining their low price, while coupons are a rational strategy for companies to make money off different customers. Delaware's business-friendly legal system and strong corporate secrecy laws attract big corporations, and Ben and Jerry's employees participate in a shadowy ice cream barter economy fueled by the company's policy of giving away excess ice cream.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Planet Money answers listener questions about the affordability of goldfish and the economics behind their low price.
03:32
Goldfish are primarily mass-produced as food rather than pets, making their low price of 25 cents each reasonable for feeding other fish.
06:58
Extreme couponers like Yakima are outliers, but coupons are a rational strategy for companies, allowing them to make money off different customers at varying price points through price discrimination.
10:25
Delaware is a popular state for incorporating companies due to its business-friendly legal system and efficient courts, attracting big corporations like Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple.
13:37
Delaware's appeal as a corporate capital lies in its strong corporate secrecy laws and tax advantages, particularly related to intellectual property.
17:17
Ben and Jerry's employees in Vermont participate in a shadowy ice cream barter economy fueled by the company's policy of allowing each employee to take three free pints of ice cream every workday.
20:26
Ben and Jerry's gives away excess ice cream to employees, mostly seconds with minor defects, leading to a shadowy ice cream barter economy among employees and local businesses.
