You’re reading Significant Digits, a daily digest of the telling numbers tucked inside the news.
2-to-1
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled 2-1 on Tuesday in favor of the government’s argument that broadband internet is an essential utility like power or a landline telephone — whatever the hell that is — and should not be treated as a luxury good that requires little regulation, as business interests in the telecom industry prefer. [The New York Times]
Season 9
“Curb Your Enthusiasm” will return for a ninth season, HBO announced. It’s the show’s first new season since 2011. Perhaps playing Bernie Sanders all season on Saturday Night Live re-lit the television spark in Larry David. [Variety]
39 percent
In 2014, 39 percent of doctorate recipients did not have a job or did not intend to continue their studies. That was up from 31 percent in 2009. Here’s the problem: More people are getting postgraduate degrees even as the job market for those degrees declines. [The Wall Street Journal]
63 percent
A new poll from Bloomberg Politics found that 63 percent of women said they could never vote for Donald Trump. For those counting at home, women make up about half the U.S. population. [Bloomberg]
$3.46 million
Every year, Warren Buffett auctions off a meal with himself at Smith & Wollensky steakhouse in New York. The winning bidder gets to bring friends, and the proceeds of the auction go to charity. This year, the winner — an anonymous woman — paid $3.46 million to lunch with the Oracle of Omaha. [Bloomberg]
$500 million
The NHL is reportedly coming to Vegas! Provided the prospective owner of the new team can cough up $500 million for the expansion fee, Las Vegas will be home to the 31st NHL team. Because when I think great hockey, I think the Mojave Desert. [The Associated Press]
You really need to sign up for the Significant Digits newsletter.
And if you see a significant digit in the wild, send it to @WaltHickey.