Oddly Relevant Mar-10-2013

Why Redfin, Zillow, and Trulia haven’t killed off RE brokers: Simple response: the transaction is so infrequent, too highly emotional, and too high-stake, thus customers want more hand-holding, and the innuendos and physically attachment made advice and touring valuable. [Note: kind of like buying a car online…?]…Source: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-07/why-redfin-zillow-and-trulia-havent-killed-off-real-estate-brokers#p4

Which sport is most immune to Moneyball?  The consensus goes to Hockey, soccer, and football. The difficulties stem from difficulty in measurement, rarity of predictor outcomes (i.e. low score), and incredible intricacies. [Note: It’s indeed a tough problem]…Source: http://www.newrepublic.com/article/112602/mit-sloan-sports-analytics-conference-2013-moneyball-question#

More of Birdgewater’s culture: (1) students who did not apply were offered $100 gift cards to sit in a focus group and explain why. (2) During interviews, a candidate is likely to be put in a room with about seven people and debate on controversial issues; (3) One will be  judged and criticized nonstop. [Note: HFs are a different breed indeed]…Source: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/03/07/bridgewater-may-be-the-hottest-hedge-fund-for-harvard-grads-but-it-s-also-the-weirdest.html

America’s shrinking grocery bill:  In 1984, the average U.S. household spent 16.8 percent of its annual post-tax income on food. By 2011, Americans spent only 11.2 percent. The U.S. devotes less of its income to food than any other country—half as much as households in France and one-fourth of those in India. [Note: Thanks to the rise of productivity?]…Source: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-28/americas-shrinking-grocery-bill

It’s time to rethink America’s corn system: (1) it’s inefficient at feeding people since 40% is used for ethanol and 36% is fed to cattle; (2) it uses a large amount of natural resources: 97 mm acres and 5.6 cubic mile per year in irrigation; (3) the corn system is highly vulnerable to shocks, and (4) the system operates at a big cost to taxpayers. [Note: it would be interesting to see what happens when subsidies go away]…Source: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=time-to-rethink-corn&page=3