Walrasia ALL COURSES

Course 12 of 15 · 10 lessons

Digital Economics

Why is Instagram free? Ten lessons on the economics of the apps you live in: who pays when the price is zero, why everyone ends up on the same app, what your data is worth, why a ride costs more in the rain, who gets paid when a song is streamed, and what machines do to jobs. Companies are named only for documented facts; the course does not pick a side and does not tell you which app to use.

10 LESSONS ONLINE
15-MIN LESSONS
BUILDS ON THE OTHER COURSES
TEN QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT ANY APP

1Why is Instagram free?
Two-sided markets · about 15 min

5 exercises + flashcards Summary PDF

2Why does everyone use the same app?
Network effects · about 15 min

5 exercises + flashcards Summary PDF

3Why does a movie cost nothing to copy but $15 to watch?
Zero marginal cost · about 15 min

5 exercises + flashcards Summary PDF

4Is your data the price?
Data as payment · about 15 min

5 exercises + flashcards Summary PDF

5Why does the price change while you look?
Dynamic pricing · about 15 min

5 exercises + flashcards Summary PDF

6Are Amazon and Google monopolies?
Market power · about 15 min

5 exercises + flashcards Summary PDF

7Who owns a song?
Copyright · about 15 min

5 exercises + flashcards Summary PDF

8Is a driver an employee?
Gig work · about 15 min

5 exercises + flashcards Summary PDF

9Is Bitcoin money?
Bitcoin · about 15 min

5 exercises + flashcards Summary PDF

10Will AI take your job?
AI and jobs · about 15 min

5 exercises + flashcards Summary PDF

Finished the ten lessons? Go on to the thirteenth course, Math for Economics.