Topic 14 - Productivity Experiment

After having this experience, I think I am more familiar with the concepts that were being introduced in “Short-Run” section. However, I think the experiment was slightly different from the examples we used in the book because we had Gary, who could be a bias examiner. I could tell that he was being very strict on checking each widget, but at the end, he stopped scrutinizing in order to have more outputs. Comparing the with the table in the book, we can see our data was kind of inaccurate, because the numbers of output were supposed to increase as the company had more workers. And at the end, the numbers of workers were exceeding the numbers of technologies, which weakened the inefficiencies of the work. In order to maximize the benefits, I think the company needed to improve its technologies, such as having plant1 or plant2; for instance, we should let Brandon, who was the first worker, manipulated more advanced technologies like plant 1 to plant 4; therefore, our data will be more completed. This experience is very interesting, and after the activity, we calculate the data we collected which make us understand more thoroughly on this chapter. 

Topic 13: The Return of the Zeppelin

The explosion of Hindenburg had brought tremendous impacts on both demand and supply of Zeppelin. Subsequently, people had apprehension of riding Zeppelin; as a result of they were afraid identical accident might happen again. Fortunately, nowadays, Zeppelin started getting back consumers' trust by having better quality and safety. I will consider both Zeppelin and Airship Venture are oligopolies, because the competition of airship is so small that Zeppelin Airship Venture are capable of dominating the market. Well... Airship travel seems very interesting to me, but I guess I will only ride once... personally, I think even though Zeppelin might be one of the biggest airship company in the world, airship is not something that people will like to ride many times... even though the company has strengthened airship's quality, people, like me, might need have concern about its safety... and will not be willing to spend money on risking our lives. But if today I am at age of 60 something, I will probably wish to ride on it, because at that time, death will not seem to be a big concern to me. And yep, I think most of adults or teenagers will still think taking airplane is safer.