Sep 14, 2026 · 10 min
A quiz tests the economics behind everyday headlines
A beautiful bill, Mamdani's market, and stock subscriptions
The episode turns policy, prices, trade, technology, and social media business models into a compact test of economic literacy.
- 1Daniel Kane identifies the likely beneficiaries of high-denomination currency and names the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
- 2Questions connect USMCA, New York City grocery-market discounts, and Truth Social’s proposed early-access pricing.
- 3Kane completes the quiz without an incorrect answer, correctly identifying Moore’s Law and the zero-click web.
Don't miss
Daniel Kane completes the quiz without an incorrect answer, correctly identifying Moore’s Law and the zero-click web.
The brief
The Indicator hosts welcome mathematician Daniel Kane to a quiz spanning economic policy, trade agreements, consumer prices, social media subscriptions, and technology.
Kane identifies criminals as the likely beneficiaries of a proposed $250 bill, then correctly names the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and explains USMCA.
A hint helps him answer a question about a proposed discount at New York City city-owned grocery markets; he also gets Truth Social’s early-access price right.
The final round reaches beyond current headlines: Kane identifies Moore’s Law and the “zero-click web,” finishing the quiz without a miss.
Kane earns his choice of new NPR merchandise, considering a shirt and an alligator plushie for his daughter after a perfect run.
Featuring
Daniel Kane
Truth Social
Planet MoneyListen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.