The Economist’s cartoonist on humanity’s greatest threats

2023-04-27

With 25 Billboard Hot 100 number one hits to his name, Max Martin is effectively the king of pop music. We wanted to find the key to his success—with a little help from a lot of data.

00:00 – Behind the data
00:39 – Our dataset
01:53 – Was Max Martin right?
03:32 – Why intros are shorter now

To read our daily chart on hit-maker Max Martin: https://econ.st/40EN0TH

For more of The Economist’s data journalism: https://econ.st/3KsCaud

Sign up to The Economist’s daily newsletter: https://econ.st/3QAawvI

How blurred lines changed pop music: https://econ.st/3KcdxAA

Why streaming changed pop songs: https://econ.st/411UC26

Did pop music peak in 1971?: https://econ.st/3ZH1f9h

What makes good music?: https://econ.st/3nEM0QJ

2023-03-14

Since the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, American regulators have pulled out all the stops to protect depositors. But the scramble to ensure stability has exposed serious flaws in America’s banking architecture. What comes next?

00:00 – Silicon Valley Bank has collapsed
00:38 – What has happened?
02:07 – How have regulators reacted?
03:12 – What does this mean for banking?

Read our briefing about the SVB collapse: https://econ.st/3TbN8ap

View all of The Economist’s Finance & economics coverage: https://econ.st/3yCF493

Sign up to our Finance & economics newsletter: https://econ.st/40aRjFH

American government steps in to protect depositors at Silicon Valley Bank: https://econ.st/3Lnw27y

What really went wrong at Silicon Valley Bank: https://econ.st/3J8kous

Investors brace for

2023-03-07

Fertility rates are falling across the rich world, as more and more people are weighing up whether to have children. Raising them can be stressful and cost a fortune, but they might bring you a lot of joy. So all things considered, on International Women’s Day, is it worth having kids?

#internationalwomensday #iwd2023

00:00 – Is it worth having kids?
00:36 – Do kids make parents happy?
03:12 – Why people used to have more children
04:11 – The expense of having kids
05:24 – Parental leave
08:03 – Childcare
09:42 – The “motherhood penalty”
13:45 – The macroeconomics of children

Sign up to The Economist’s daily newsletter: https://econ.st/3QAawvI

Why there are so few babies in southern Europe: https://econ.st/3ZuhCWY

The glory of grandparents: https://econ.st/3y6xO54

The age of the

2023-03-02

America is spending trillions of dollars in an effort to make the country stronger, greener and richer. These are the three key things you need to know about the plan and its chances of success.

00:00 – A new green America
00:30 – Democrats are being ambitious
01:14 – Manufacturing will move to America
01:53 – Planning could be a stumbling block

To read more about Biden’s plans to remake America’s economy: https://econ.st/3IEGNiP

For our most recent coverage on the US: https://econ.st/3yhc3jf

Sign up to The Economist’s daily newsletter: https://econ.st/3QAawvI

How spending will revive American manufacturing: https://econ.st/3Y65BWC

Why Joe Biden is not quitting fossil fuels: https://econ.st/3KH9ePA

More on American environmentalism: https://econ.st/3Y8Xo42

Why Congress is

2023-01-19

Many people in the rich world are feeling the pinch, particularly in its poorest regions. As the cost of living rises, how can such “left behind” areas be made richer?

Film supported by @mishcondereya

00:00 – How can rich countries address regional inequality?
01:10 – How did regional inequality emerge?
04:45 – How local politicians can help close economic gaps
06:20 – Why making poorer areas better off is a priority
07:30 – How this German city has changed its fortunes
09:15 – How Germany has championed regional development
11:18 – How Pittsburgh is using education to redefine its economy
15:13 – How Tulsa is becoming a haven for remote-workers
18:00 – Why regional inequality is a concern for all

Sign up to The Economist’s daily newsletter: https://econ.st/3v8z1HK

Why Britain is

2022-12-15

Imagine brain implants that let you control devices by thought alone—or let computers read your
mind. It’s early days, but research into this technology is well under way.

Film supported by @mishcondereya

00:00 – Are brain implants the future of computing?
00:58 – Headsets are changing how brains interact with the virtual world
02:24 – What is a brain computer interface?
03:24 – What’s holding this technology back?
04:00 – How wearable BCIs can read your mind
06:27 – How BCIs physically alter the brain
07:17 – Invasive brain implants
09:14 – The first human cyborg
09:51 – What’s next?

Sign up to our science newsletter to keep up to date: https://econ.st/3Mn3IR3

Read our Technology Quarterly on fixing the brain: https://econ.st/3rTay7o

What does a brain-computer interface feel