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Marketplace for Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Dec 4, 2012

Marketplace for Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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Shoplifting could cost retailers nearly $9 billion this holiday season. The strikes at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are entering their second week, but some businesses are actually benefiting from the stoppage. The future of agriculture might be in the hands of robots. Employers are requiring degrees for jobs that didn’t require a diploma just five years ago. We ask a mathematician what it takes to make elevators run smoothly. The series Black Gold Boom provides a look into the life of a North Dakotan roughnecker. And we learn about the history of boredom and how boredom affects our daily lives.

Segments From this episode

Poll respondents tricked by Panetta-Burns plan

Dec 4, 2012
Twenty-five percent of respondents to Public Policy Polling's new survey said they had heard of a deficit reduction plan that doesn't actually exist.

The oil boom: Born to be a roughneck

Dec 4, 2012
Richard Karpe had his first roughneck job at age 11, on a rig run by his stepfather. He talks about the roughneck life and its hazards.

Bowl game exposure can come with a cost

Dec 4, 2012
Schools see costs of participating in a bowl game as a down payment on invaluable exposure.

Employers increasingly look for bachelor's degrees

Dec 4, 2012
Jobs that used to require no post-secondary education are seeing 'degree inflation.'

The robot in the garden -- coming soon

Dec 4, 2012
Nurseries spend a lot of effort moving potted plants and trees from one place to another. Robots may replace low-paying, seasonal, grueling work.

California ports strike enters second week

Dec 4, 2012
The strike at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles rumbles on, bringing losses to some and opportunities to others.

Retailers try to thwart holiday shoplifters

Dec 4, 2012
Retailers could lose $9 billion this holiday season to thieves. So stores are trying to stay one technological step ahead of the crooks.

The art of elevatoring

Dec 4, 2012
How long will you wait for an elevator before becoming frustrated? Elevator expert Theresa Christy says 20 seconds is the industry standard.

The better side of boredom

Dec 4, 2012
Ever wonder what it really means when you're bored?

Shoplifting could cost retailers nearly $9 billion this holiday season. The strikes at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are entering their second week, but some businesses are actually benefiting from the stoppage. The future of agriculture might be in the hands of robots. Employers are requiring degrees for jobs that didn’t require a diploma just five years ago. We ask a mathematician what it takes to make elevators run smoothly. The series Black Gold Boom provides a look into the life of a North Dakotan roughnecker. And we learn about the history of boredom and how boredom affects our daily lives.

Music from the episode

Big in Japan Alphaville
Pro Choice Dujeous, John Legend
Selling Records Pregnant