The Games We Play
Economics
Recent(ish) Pop Culture
The Holidays Don't Have to End...
... If You're Not Working
100

This game ends with the word "checkmate."

What is chess?

100
"The phenomenon whereby a person is reluctant to abandon a strategy or course of action because they have invested heavily in it, even when it is clear that abandonment would be more beneficial." - Google AI

What is the sunk cost fallacy?

100

This HBO show is about hockey.

What is "Heated Rivalry"?

100

This recent "holiday" is actually a very unlucky day in Western culture.

What is Friday the 13th?

100

If you're not working, you might enjoy this hobby, a cousin of knitting.

What is crocheting?

200

You can play this card game by yourself.

What is solitaire?

200

In a this-shaped economy, the wealthy are doing just fine, while the rest of struggle--but isn't that just all of the time?

What is a K-shaped economy?

200

This FX show is about food in Chicago.

What is "The Bear"?

200

It's celebrated one day before the Ides of February.

What is Valentine's Day?

200

If you’re not working, you might enjoy a road trip to this city to win some money, Spanish for “The Meadows,” and where the Hard Rock Casino is building a huge guitar-shaped hotel.

What is Las Vegas?

300

This board game involves trains and building railroad lines.

What is Ticket to Ride?

300

If the Fed sets these too low, inflation may take off.

What are interests rates?

300

It’s probably the biggest movie of 2025, and one of the best (at least in my opinion).

What is "K-Pop Demon Hunters"?

300

This is the only bank holiday in February.

What is Presidents' Day?

300

If you’re not working, you might enjoy putting these together, made up of many small pieces.

What are puzzles?

400

You can play this game on a chess board--most people say it's a lot easier than chess, but I am not most people.

What is checkers?

400

This Midwestern school is known as one of the best for economics, but I hear it’s kinda toxic (and a bit too conservative for me).

What is the University of Chicago?

400

These are a kindergartener's favorite numbers.

What are six and seven?

400

Another name for this holiday is Fat Tuesday.

What is Mardi Gras?

400

If you’re not working, you might enjoy this activity that I don’t, involving tents.

What is camping?

500

To play this game, you may need to shout "pong" or "surng" from time to time.

What is mahjong?

500

This is considered the gold standard of economic and social science research, abbreviated RCT.

What is randomized controlled trial?

500

An analogous title to this book might be "Tearing up in Trader Joe's."

What is "Crying in H Mart"?

500

It occurs on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the Spring Equinox.

What is Easter?

500

If you’re not working, you might enjoy this relaxing hobby in which you sit in a boat and hopefully take a nap.

What is fishing?