One of the main riddles of modern macroeconomics is the deep dissonance between official statistical data and ordinary consumers' perception of reality. According to reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), inflation remains under control, and the economy continues to demonstrate growth. However, millions of people intuitively feel the opposite: basic expenses continue to eat up an ever-larger part of the budget, and real purchasing power is stagnating.
To understand the essence of this dissonance, we need to step away from complex quantitative models overloaded with variables and turn to a qualitative, fundamental understanding of value. The best instrument for such an analysis? An ordinary burger from McDonald’s (MCD).
