We already knew that it's been a rather slow summer for topless beach shenanigans from our usually reliable celebrity sun worshipers. Well, now we finally have an explanation. It's the economy stupid! Yes, some super smart French guy has determined that a) women are less likely than usual to whip 'em out on his nation's famous topless beaches, and that b) the reason is a lack of confidence in the economy. It's all related to a well-established economic principle that women dress more provocatively when the stock market is doing well. The always classy Daily Mail puts it a bit less delicately, but the message is simple: Forget jobs, gas prices and trade deficits, we need to get people back to work on our topless beaches! (dailymail.co.uk)

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