It’s often the case that the simplest answers are often the most likely. It’s bright outside because of the sun. It’s dark at night because there’s no sun. Porsches are so damn expensive because the profit margins are outrageous.

So says a report from Germany’s Welt an Sonntag newspaper, which claims the average Porsche profit is $28,000.

$28,000! Audi and BMW both manage with less than $5000 per unit while Volkswagen and Chrysler net less than a grand for each car sold!

Report: Porsche profits $28,000 per car [Left lane news via New Launches]

Once a permanent fixture on the heads of playboys and presidents alike, the once proud Panama hat is in danger of extinction.

The rise of the baseball cap, a decline in the number of skilled weavers in Ecuador, an increasing risk from cheap international knock-offs, especially from China, and other factors have all conspired to make the Panama a fashion relic, and its production as unpopular as ever.

But there may be hope for the hat, from an unlikely source.

Intermon Oxfam has set up the Chordeleg Artisan Centre where weavers are producing small number of Fairtrade Panama hats. The women are receiving training so that they can perfect techniques, weave higher quality hats with better finishes, and improve production and marketing. They have been able to increase the quantity and the price so that they can now make a living and maintain their traditions.

A fair trade Panama hat? Could milinery so beautifully mix politics and headwear? Regardless, its time for a Panama revival.

Artisan Center Chordeleg (translated) [Oxfam via Treehugger via Financial Times]

With the future approaching us at a rapid rate, it’s time for us to start demanding the gadgets we were promised in the past.

It’s 2007, which means the world has eight years to make good on the 2015 presented to us by Back to the Future Part II. Hoverboards, flying cars, fashion that dictates two ties instead of one and, of course, Nikes with powerlaces.

In fact, why wait? ‘The McFly Project’ (also known as ‘Operation McFly’) are petitioning Nike to get with the powerlaces, already.

You can sign the petition or, if you’re in need of convincing, check out their powerful political advertisement.