As I prepare on an enlightening journey to the National Conference on Supply Chain and Operation Management (ISCOM 2023) and the Conference on Web and Internet Economics (WINE 2023) in Shanghai, I can’t help but feel a buzz of excitement. These conferences are not just events but gateways to new ideas, connections, and insights, and they’re conveniently located for my easy commute anyway. The Art of Conference Attendance: More Than Just Talks ISCOM, for me, is the appetizer in this intellectual feast, a chance to warm up and socialize with like-minded professionals. In contrast, WINE is the main course, a veritable treasure trove aligned perfectly with my interests. Keep an eye out for my upcoming updates for fresh takes and insights from these events! ...

A review of Waldfogel’s 1993 AER paper “The Deadweight Loss of Christmas”.

the unexpected value in gift-giving, beyong deadweight loss

In the bias and wisdom in decision making course that I’ve taken this semester, we featured the topic intertemperal choice today. It’s pretty cliché a topic that, well, usually everything starts with this function: $$ U(\mathbf x) = u(x_0) + \beta\sum_{t = 1}^\infty\sigma^t u(x_t). $$ But something interesting came up today. It’s called the growth curve. Consider choosing from various ways of growing over time - some trajectory is log-like while others can be exponential-like. It’s a trade off between short term fast increment against long term “snow ball” effect. For examples, consider the most extreme cases, like athlete (short term career, income is pretty much log-like) compared against docter (long term career growth whlie slow at the beginning). ...

Music is not just sound; it’s a tapestry woven from varied chords, voices, and instruments. In a pop melody like some Mariah Carey ballad, the lead vocal takes center stage, supported by complex add libs and rhythmic undercurrents. Not to mention classical pieces which are an intricate dance of harmonies, each note a thread in a larger musical fabric. Yet, even the finest audio technology falls short in unraveling these layers completely, and as audience distinguishing every element remains a challenge. Often, it’s the melody or the primary voice that captures our attention, leaving subtler nuances unnoticed. Moreover, even worse, our listening rituals often relegate music to a mere background score for life’s routine acts - commuting, working, or household chores. Even in concert halls, the visual spectacle can overshadow the auditory experience, leaving the rich tapestry of sound unexplored. ...

In modern days, facial expression control in front of camera should be considered just as important as public speaking…

In the dance of supply and demand, every fruit tells a story. And when a design of a market fail, it shouldn’t be the strategic agent to take all the blame, isn’t it?

Wanna share a morning podcast golden quote that marks the beginning of a brilliant day.

In a humorous twist of fate, our mechanism design course unveils the curious case of two student groups unwittingly mirroring each other’s presentations on Pandora’s Box, spotlighting the ironic interplay of choice and chance in academic endeavors.

Navigating the tricky balance of engaging and informative slides in academic talks, where visuals can both command and complement the narrative.