Christian Broda, professor of economics at the University of Chicago, has created a map where he replaced U.S. states with countries with a similar level of GDP. With an $825 billion stimulus package on it’s way to the House floor, we get yet another perspective on America’s role in the global marketplace. It is pretty crazy that all of Canada’s GDP is about the same as Texas. More surprising was Russia’s GDP was about equal to New Jersey. And they don’t even have the Giants.

Via Clusterflock

Using wireless devices was long seen as a no-no when flying the friendly skies. Visions of horrible accidents ala Oceanic Flight 815 kept us from checking email at 35,000 feet. Those fears are quickly becoming a thing of the past as more and more airlines are equipping their jets with broadband. The latest frequent flyers lining up to install the service is United Airlines. The domestic carrier recently tapped Aircell to give passengers the power to surf via the Gogo Inflight Internet Service, which will run users about $12.95 per session. The new aspect of in-flight entertainment will surely be a relief to travelers tired of choosing between episodes of The New Adventures of Old Christine and a viewing of Nights in Rodanthe during lengthy flights. Other airlines to offer the service include American, Delta, Virgin America, and Air Canada. Southwest is testing similar technology of Aircell’s competitor, Row 44.

Tees and charities … these are two concepts we can get behind. Which is why we’re fully supporting Holiday Matinee’s artist series. Each month David Brown’s label  will be unleashing one new T-shirt design and giving 100% of the funds received to Plant-It 2020, a non-profit organization that focuses on maintaining and protecting indigenous tree populations across the globe. Each shirt you buy allows for the planting of 20 new trees. And while you don’t have to plant them personally, feel free to rub dirt all over your hands each time you don your snazzy new shirt to show everyone just how willing you are to get down in the trenches for mother earth.

Despite the fact that we have accepted the need to traverse shoeless, beltless and beverageless through airport security, most of us still can’t stave off baggage carousel gridlock by bringing along anything other than a black roller bag. I’m among the guilty who assumes that my beat-up Samsonite stands out due to a few strands of green yarn I’ve affixed to the handle. All this is about to change with DotDrops, an innovative concept to customize your luggage. Using the snap-on microdots that come with the bags, you can send a message to TSA and your fellow travellers that says you love, among other things, America, martinis or aliens. As if that’s not enough, each purchase is accompanied by a DIY toy by French company Artoyz. With several styles of suitcases, an exclusive toy and lots and lots of dots, you can really make a personal statement.

You don’t need an accountant to tell you you’re going to have to cut back even more on your burger trips if you’re trying to save up for that new computer. But for some of us finances might as well be like figuring out how to say “Where’s the bathroom?” in Martian. Having someone who can put it to you in a way you can understand is the only way it’ll stick. Brazilian bank Itau’s smart and amusing “I Can Bank It” campaign targets late teens and early twentysomethings (OK, and even those who aren’t of that age can still be impacted by the message here) and dishes the financial dirt in realistic terms by comparing survey-based monthly expenditures with purchase goals in a story style that’s highly reminiscent of ARGs. Recognize the feel of the site? It’s by Brazilian design agency Gringo, whose digital foreign-language swear-words lessons are still going strong. Remember, one less muffin and coffee a week could add up to a spankin’-new laptop faster than you can lose the weight from consuming those fat-laced pastries.