❗Let's close the gap: We still need your help to raise $40,000 by April 1. Donate now

Letters: Yelp’s IPO, Monkees memories

Kai Ryssdal Mar 2, 2012

Kai Ryssdal: Letters today begins with my interview with behavioral economist Sendhil Mullainathan on Monday about why everyone notices changes in gas prices, but not many of us can say how much other things might run — say eggs or toothpaste.

Glenna Dryer from St. Louis is one who can.

Glenna Dryer: My husband and I are firmly in the middle class, but I know what I pay for everything I buy, including toothpaste. The reason people notice gas prices is not only because they are posted everywhere, but because we have to buy it. I could opt of junk food, but I have to put gas in my car to get to work or to get to the grocery store. We as a nation are over the proverbial barrel, literally.

Sally Herships filed a story for us the other day about Yelp.

That had Byron Henderson writing from San Jose, Calif., and looking for a little bit more.

Byron Henderson: The story had lots of cutesy-poo references to the number of stars, but not a single mention of the astronomical price at which Yelp expects to offer its shares. Yelp is emblematic of companies like Facebook and Zynga whose strongest growth is behind them, yet are coming public at ridiculous multiples to sales and earnings.

And finally, an item not usually mentioned on the air, but easily our most commented upon content this week. Our music Wednesday in memory of the Monkees’ Davy Jones.

Tim Dennen’s in Mount Laurel, N.J.

Tim Dennen: Not exactly a Pleasant Valley (Friday), given the news that he’s taken that Last Train To Clarksville, but That Was Then, This Is Now, and I can’t believe you had to ask if we were paying attention. After all, I’m A Believer.

Lots of good memories shared that day. Here’s another one:

 


As always, let us know what you think — write to us.

 

There’s a lot happening in the world.  Through it all, Marketplace is here for you. 

You rely on Marketplace to break down the world’s events and tell you how it affects you in a fact-based, approachable way. We rely on your financial support to keep making that possible. 

Your donation today powers the independent journalism that you rely on. For just $5/month, you can help sustain Marketplace so we can keep reporting on the things that matter to you.