Join Callum Williams, a Senior economics writer at The Economist, as he dives into the curious financial habits of baby boomers, who favor saving over spending despite their wealth. Meanwhile, Rachel Dobbs, Correspondent for The Economist, highlights fascinating advancements in women's health, particularly regarding menstruation and drug development, alongside innovative approaches to sustainable shipping. Discover how renewable wind power is revolutionizing the shipping industry, all while probing the generational wealth dynamics at play.
Baby Boomers are saving more in retirement, defying traditional spending patterns and raising concerns about economic impacts.
Limited animal models hinder research on women's reproductive health, but artificial mouse models are emerging to aid in exploring menstrual processes.
Deep dives
Baby Boomers' Spending Habits in Retirement
Baby Boomers, known for their accumulated wealth, are defying traditional spending patterns in retirement by saving more rather than spending down their assets. Contrary to the model predicting increased spending in retirement, Baby Boomers have shown a trend of saving and accumulating wealth as they age, with evidence from various countries indicating a rise in savings rates among this generation. This shift in behavior raises concerns about potential impacts on inflation and interest rates, challenging conventional economic expectations.
Challenges in Understanding Women's Health
Researchers face hurdles in studying women's reproductive health due to the limited availability of animal models that menstruate. This scarcity of suitable models has impeded the understanding of menstrual processes, impacting research on conditions like endometriosis and heavy bleeding. Innovative approaches involving artificial mouse models of menstruation are emerging, allowing researchers to explore the physiological events of the menstrual cycle and potential treatment avenues.
Wind-Powered Shipping for Environmental Sustainability
The shipping industry is exploring wind power as a sustainable alternative to reduce emissions and environmental impact. Various wind-assisted propulsion technologies, such as rigid sails, Fletner rotors, suction sails, and kite sails, are being developed to supplement traditional engines on cargo vessels. These technologies offer significant fuel and emission savings, presenting a promising pathway towards achieving net zero emissions targets set by the International Maritime Organization. Despite the industry's slow adoption rate, increasing efforts are underway to integrate wind power into shipping fleets for a greener future.
The post-war generation reaped the benefits of peace and prosperity. Yet rather than spend that bounty, retired boomers are hoarding their riches–and upending economists’ expectations. The science of menstruation is baffling, partly because most animals don’t do it. Now clever innovations may help improve women’s health (9:13). And how old-fashioned wind-power is blowing new life into the shipping industry–and cutting its emissions (16:13).