3 chapters across the catalog
Credit Karma is launching a new advertising campaign on TikTok that rewards users with "instant karma" (free items) for using their debit card. Critics argue this is a precursor to a social credit system, where financial rewards are tied to "correct" consumer behavior. Google is a major investor in Credit Karma, which is increasingly acting as an intermediary for behavioral-based credit contracts.
Public health campaigns are shifting from "sticks" to "carrots," with Krispy Kreme offering free donuts to anyone presenting a vaccination card. Behavioral economists warn that offering large cash incentives might backfire by signaling that the vaccine carries hidden risks, potentially entrenching mistrust among the hesitant.
The hosts discuss a Medline study that provides an experimental demonstration of the "lipstick effect," where women's spending on beauty products increases during economic downturns despite overall declines in consumer spending. This phenomenon is linked to Dvorak's Law of Economic Depression, which posits that during recessions, certain services become higher quality and more affordable. The research suggests this behavior is rooted in primal mating psychology and the desire to attract mates with resources during lean times.
