Visualizing ownership in the soft drink industry

Three firms control 89% of US soft drink sales. This dominance is obscured from us by the appearance of numerous choices on retailer shelves. Steve Hannaford refers to this as "pseudovariety," or the illusion of diversity, concealing a lack of real choice. To visualize the extent of pseudovariety in this industry he developed a cluster diagram to represent the number of soft drink brands and varieties found in the refrigerator cases of 94 Michigan retailers, along with their ownership connections.

via www.msu.edu

How Banks Are Losing Millions from Phishing?

With all the recent changes in the banking and credit card industries, you're bound to get more than a few e-mails or letters from your bank or credit card company.

But, wait. Was that last e-mail really from your bank? It might have been, but there's a pretty good chance it might not have been.

See just how much phishing damages a bank and how much these crimes are causing them.

via www.gobankingrates.com

How the fight over tax breaks affects your bottom line?

Tax cuts enacted under former president George W. Bush are set to expire at year's end, and lawmakers are battling over whether to extend them before the November elections. Most Republicans want to extend all of the cuts, saying that any increase in taxes will hold back the economic recovery. President Obama and Democratic leaders would extend many of the cuts but say tax breaks for top earners should expire to pare down deficits. Each plan would affect average tax rates for income groups differently.

via www.washingtonpost.com
(click here for an interactive graphics)