From The New Yorker, a buyer’s Christmas: James Surowiecki on why retailing has gotten so hard. Choosy beggars: In today's economy, Americans can't afford to be such snobs. The short film "The Story of Stuff" takes viewers on a provocative tour of our consumer-driven culture — from resource extraction to computer incineration — exposing the real costs of this use-it and lose-it approach to stuff. Born to shop: A look at how marketers brainwash babies. Leading Reverend Billy into sin: Lord, he is consumed — forgive him those great sweaters and pants he hath bought. When we need help with self-control, we tend to know it – and economists’ recent behavioural experiments could help achieve it. Fair giving is hardwired: New research suggests that spite is uniquely human — and necessary for a successful society. Putting the humanity in philanthropy: What's the best way to decide how — and how much — to give to charity? Spending the future: A review of The Legitimacy of Philanthropic Foundations: United States and European Perspectives; and The Foundation: A Great American Secret by Joel L. Fleishman. Social networking for the socially minded: An article on Web Site builders trying to reinvent how people give money to charity. How do the charities that deal with the unphotogenic, the controversial and the downright unpopular raise money?
