1. America’s prison population has risen from 1 in 400 in the 1970s to 1 in 100 now – and 1 in 19 of black men

2. Scientists are studying ants to make computers more efficient (sort of)

3. Offices that have a dog during a brainstorm are found to be more collaborative

4. Georgia is a race to watch for the Palin effect in November

5. The number of coups in Africa has fallen from 20 every 10 years (1980-89) to just over 5 (2000-09)

6. Only 40% of South Africans of working age have a job

http://matthewcain.posterous.com/lessons-from-the-economist 1. America’s prison population has risen from 1 in 400 in the 1970s to 1 in 100 now – and 1 in 19 of black men 2. Scientists are studying ants to make computers more efficient (sort of) 3. Offices that have a dog during a brainstorm are found to be more collaborative 4. Georgia is a race to watch …