Daily Bafflements

• Today in Billionaires: billionaire Carl Icahn is excited about his investment in the dollar-store industry, and is discussing “strategies to enhance shareholder value.” How kitschy! • In somewhat related news, Alex Park reveals the moment in history when hobby shops and toy stores employed more people than newspapers in the state of California. • Question: can the Washington Post effectively, objectively cover news about its owner Jeff Bezos’s company, Amazon? Answer: you probably already know the answer. • Today in Bespoke: Boston Magazine brings us the news that New Balance is releasing a limited-edition “Bespoke Authors Collection” of sneakers that will “pay homage to great American authors” and draw inspiration for their color combinations from American literature and history. Leather and earth-tone colors will give them a “library-like look.” The first shoes to come out will retail at $300.