ECON 201 Why We Didnt Prepare for The Pandemic Podcast Analysis Paper Purpose
In economics, we learn and discuss many concepts and ideas about the economy and life. However, these concepts can be abstract and not applicable to the real-world. The purpose of this assignment is to help you relate real-world events with economic concepts and principles. Through critical analysis, you will make sense of real-world events through economic thinking and demonstrate your understanding through writing.
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Please choose a podcast within the last 2-3 weeks from the Indicator (https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510325/the-indicator-from-planet-money). These podcasts are about 10 minutes or less and cover an economic issue. You may want to listen to several podcasts before choosing one that interest you.
After listening to the podcast, write a short paper that addresses these following questions in 3 paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: In your own words, summarize the ideas from this podcast. What topic/question/concept is this podcast trying to address? This paragraph should have at least 300 words or more.
Paragraph 2: What does our textbook say about this particular issue? Use the textbook to define and discuss the issue or concept. Please reference the chapter, section, and page number. This paragraph should have at least 300 words or more.
Paragraph 3: Why did you pick this podcast? Why is this particular podcast and topic interesting to you? How are the things discussed in this podcast applicable to your life? This paragraph should have at least 400 words or more.
As your write your analysis, please make sure:
You choose only podcasts and topics you are truly interested in. This will make your writing much easier and you will learn so much more if you choose something you are actually interested in. Only choose podcasts within the last 2-3 weeks. The podcast must come from the Indicator and nothing else.
Include the title of the podcast and the date of the podcast at the beginning of the paper.
Write your paper in a Word document. Please keep your font size consistent at 12
Use complete sentence and proper grammar. Your writing should be direct and concise. Please avoid run-on sentences.
Grading Criteria
Analysis Paper Grading
Format Criteria (3 points):
Word document
Font size 12
Title and date of podcast at the beginning of the paper
Paragraph 1 (8 points)
8
5
3
0
Major points are addressed and are well supported. Content and purpose of the writing are clear. 300 words or more in paragraph.
The summary recalled some information but left out several important points. 250-299 words in paragraph.
The summary was inadequate and too brief. Most of the information was left out or incomplete. Points are unclear. 200-249 words in paragraph.
Did not include summary of podcast or paragraph is less than 200 words.
Paragraph 2 (8 points)
8
5
3
0
Explanation demonstrates outstanding level of critical evaluation and thinking about evidence presented in the podcast and application of economic principles. Included appropriate references in textbook. 300 words or more in paragraph.
Explanation demonstrates good level of critical evaluation and thinking about evidence presented in the podcast and application of economic principles. Included appropriate references in textbook. 250-299 words in paragraph.
Explanation demonstrates poor level of critical evaluation and thinking about evidence presented in the podcast and application of economic principles. Did not include appropriate references in textbook. 200-254 words in paragraph.
Did not include any discussion of economic concepts and definition or paragraph is less than 200 words.
Paragraph 3 (7 points)
11
7
4
0
Included thoughtful reflection of topics and concepts. Demonstrated personal application and interest in topic/concept. 400 words or more in paragraph.
Demonstrated good level of reflection and personal application of topic/concept. 300-399 words in paragraph.
Demonstrated poor level of reflection and personal application of topic/concept. 200-299 words in paragraph.
Did not include any personal reflections to the podcast or paragraph is less than 200 words. January 30, 2020
Economics 201
Podcast Analysis Paper 1
Analysis of Weird (Amazon) Flex, But Okay, which aired on The Indicator on January
28, 2020
The main purpose of this episode was to analyze the potential benefits, downfalls, and
impacts of the independent contractor industry and specifically the Amazon Flex/independent
driver delivery system. It was exposed in the podcast that Amazon hires UPS or other traditional
shipping companies to ship about half of their packages, and the rest they do internally or
through gig workers. Certainly Ive observed Amazon in action use all forms of delivery.
Occasionally when I order an Amazon package, especially a fast shipping package, it shows up
in the form of a driver in their own car, Uber-style, pulling packages out of the trunk. These are
the independent contractors that Amazon hires. In addition, Amazon also hires plenty of workers
and buys vehicles to deliver their own packages internally. These are the pretty blue vans you see
with the Amazon smile on the side, and they even have the Prime airplane fleet. On top of all of
that, they, Ive read news stories recently about how Amazon is transitioning its standard
delivery fleet and employees to a driver-business model, and actually offering employees a
startup funds package for the chance to keep and own their truck and become independent
contractors who can do gig delivery work for Amazon and other companies as well. Given this
background on Amazons overall shipping strategies, this podcast specifically mentions and
interviews an Amazon flex driver, who is of the Uber-style category mentioned above. The
podcast explores the implications of this, as well as the legality/morality concerning how
independent contractors are hired. This could be highly useful for Amazon, because as an
employer you have to pay a ton of taxes to the government to hire employees, and transitioning
their workforce into contractors dramatically lessens those fees and enables them to simply pay
their drivers straight cash. It also changes the forms of liability Amazon is responsible for. If an
independent contractor slips and falls on slippery walkways while delivering a package, for
example, Amazon isnt directly responsible and is harder to go after for compensation than if you
deliver as an Amazon employee. The Amazon flex worker interviewed spends about 35 hours a
week either finding gigs and package routes to do, or actually doing the routes, compared to her
previous standard office job. The benefits and downfalls of her position and the gig economy at
large are explored.
Chapter 26-3 of the book explores the direct link between productivity and earnings.
Traditionally society views this link as only changed by differences in education or skills. When
skills/education are improved, productivity improves and therefore earnings improve. Traditional
jobs are usually executed in 40-hour week increments, and aside from overtime in some
positions, they dont go much over or under that. However, in the independent contractor for
Amazon role, this link between productivity and earnings can change dramatically. Unlike
constraints relating to traditional jobs, contractors can spend much more time if they so choose
doing Amazon flex, which would increase their productivity and therefore earnings. This raises
some moral/legal questions regarding burnout and overwork. Also, as with any delivery job, the
moral question of safety on the road comes into play as drivers try and deliver their packages as
quickly as possible, possibly to the detriment of themselves and to others. Chapter 28-2, another
related concept, income mobility, is explored. This was also briefly touched on in the podcast, as
the hosts explained that the worker from Amazon Flex that they interviewed didnt make a ton of
money. However, the gap between top earners and bottom earners can be misleading, because
the people in those positions tend to cycle out over time. Students are low-income earners, and
become much higher earners after graduating, most of the time. Then, as high earners, they
retire/die and new students rise up through the generations and fulfill those roles, as their
children become the new students. Ones wealth and income over life can dramatically vary, and
its always possible for someone to earn more by improving their skills and education. Despite
the fact that Amazon Flex may not offer tons of money, its a more convenient job for students,
as it allows them to have flexible hours and cover their school expenses. More flexibility of how
income is made, and not just how much, contributes greatly to overall well-being, happiness, and
future economic opportunities. In general, I feel that the gig economy as relating to income
mobility helps workers to become more income-mobile, as they can take on additional hours or
trainings to transition out of their roles, because those roles are much more flexible than
traditional employment.
This podcast was interesting and applicable to my own life for a few reasons. Firstly, as an
entrepreneur, I am always interested in seeing the growth and success of other companies.
Amazon has grown to become one of the largest companies on planet earth in a dramatically
short period of time, and the way they have grown has been very intentional from day 1. From
studying their history as a company, it interests me as to why Amazon is choosing to transition in
multiple ways a larger portion of their delivery chain to independent contractors rather than
employees. What core benefits does this give them? Does this enable them to attract more
workers overall? One pleasant aspect for them as opposed to employees is that typically
employees only commit to one job, whereas as an independent contractor youre allowed to do
delivery shifts for multiple companies. Someone also doing pizza delivery and Uber rides with
their existing car may also be willing to spend 5-10 hours additionally on Amazon package
deliveries, and those few extra hours by all the independent contractors could add up for
Amazon. Divvying up work between multiple companies like this could result in a much more
efficient allocation of resources for the independent contractors. Im also interested in what
society views as moral and acceptable in self-employment vs. traditional-employment situations.
The hosts of the podcast mentioned different insurance options and how Amazon excuses
themselves from paying employee-like benefits or assuming liabilities for their contractors which
saves them a lot of money. On the other hand, as explored as related to the textbook, gig jobs
have the benefit of more flexible hours, which is especially valuable for populations like college
students, whose class hours may change from quarter to quarter, enabling them to more fully
own their schedule and their time. As I prepare to transition into the workforce, and given my
entrepreneurial background and intention to continue being one in the future, these concepts both
apply to me as a worker in the economy, and apply to the way in which I hire or outsource work
to others. Will I opt for traditional employees or contract out things overseas? Or, simply not
have any employees/contractors at all? As an example, author and business consultant Richie
Norton, for the most part, does this. He does most of his work from his cell phone, and doesnt
hire anybody directly, despite running multiple multi-million-dollar companies. He relies on
strategic partnerships to accomplish his value to the marketplace. One thing for sure, however, is
that the world is becoming increasingly smaller as communication improves, and the ways in
which its possible to earn money are becoming, notwithstanding easier or harder, much more
varied.
1
THE PODCAST ANALYSIS PAPER
Purpose
In economics, we learn and discuss many concepts and ideas about the economy and life.
However, these concepts can be abstract and not applicable to the real-world. The purpose of
this assignment is to help you relate real-world events with economic concepts and principles.
Through critical analysis, you will make sense of real-world events through economic thinking
and demonstrate your understanding through writing.
Task
1. Please choose a podcast within the last 2-3 weeks from the Indicator
(https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510325/the-indicator-from-planet-money). These
podcasts are about 10 minutes or less and cover an economic issue. You may want to
listen to several podcasts before choosing one that interest you.
2. After listening to the podcast, write a short paper that addresses these following
questions in 3 paragraphs:
Paragraph 1: In your own words, summarize the ideas from this podcast. What
topic/question/concept is this podcast trying to address? This paragraph should
have at least 300 words or more.
Paragraph 2: What does our textbook say about this particular issue? Use the
textbook to define and discuss the issue or concept. Please reference the chapter,
section, and page number. This paragraph should have at least 300 words or
more.
Paragraph 3: Why did you pick this podcast? Why is this particular podcast and
topic interesting to you? How are the things discussed in this podcast applicable
to your life? This paragraph should have at least 400 words or more.
3. As your write your analysis, please make sure:
You choose only podcasts and topics you are truly interested in. This will make
your writing much easier and you will learn so much more if you choose
something you are actually interested in. Only choose podcasts within the last 2-3
weeks. The podcast must come from the Indicator and nothing else.
Include the title of the podcast and the date of the podcast at the beginning of
the paper.
Write your paper in a Word document. Please keep your font size consistent at 12
2
Use complete sentence and proper grammar. Your writing should be direct and
concise. Please avoid run-on sentences.
Grading Criteria
Analysis Paper Grading
Format Criteria (3 points):
Word document
Font size 12
Title and date of podcast at the beginning of the paper
Paragraph 1 (8 points)
8
Major points are
addressed and are
well supported.
Content and purpose
of the writing are
clear. 300 words or
more in paragraph.
5
The summary
recalled some
information but left
out several important
points. 250-299
words in paragraph.
3
The summary was
inadequate and too
brief. Most of the
information was left
out or incomplete.
Points are unclear.
200-249 words in
paragraph.
0
Did not include
summary of podcast
or paragraph is less
than 200 words.
Paragraph 2 (8 points)
8
Explanation
demonstrates
outstanding level of
critical evaluation
and thinking about
evidence presented in
the podcast and
application of
economic principles.
Included appropriate
references in
textbook. 300 words
or more in
paragraph.
5
Explanation
demonstrates good
level of critical
evaluation and
thinking about
evidence presented in
the podcast and
application of
economic principles.
Included appropriate
references in
textbook. 250-299
words in paragraph.
3
Explanation
demonstrates poor
level of critical
evaluation and
thinking about
evidence presented in
the podcast and
application of
economic principles.
Did not include
appropriate
references in
textbook. 200-254
words in paragraph.
0
Did not include any
discussion of
economic concepts
and definition or
paragraph is less
than 200 words.
3
Paragraph 3 (7 points)
11
Included thoughtful
reflection of topics
and concepts.
Demonstrated
personal application
and interest in
topic/concept. 400
words or more in
paragraph.
7
Demonstrated good
level of reflection and
personal application
of topic/concept.
300-399 words in
paragraph.
4
Demonstrated poor
level of reflection and
personal application
of topic/concept.
200-299 words in
paragraph.
0
Did not include any
personal reflections
to the podcast or
paragraph is less
than 200 words.
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