And cash, today's currency of choice, is a remarkably cheap commodity thanks to low interest rates and abundant liquidity.

ECONOMIST: Mergers and acquisitions

So if gas becomes a global commodity, as oil is, the cheap supply from the US could drive down prices around the world, and encourage investment in other shale gas basins.

BBC: Energy bills, and loose change

One is the proliferating use of cheap servers powered by commodity chips--a trend that has made Dell four times bigger than Sun and has given Google a cost edge over its rivals.

FORBES: Startup Beats Back Death

Political turmoil is nothing new in Ukraine, but when commodity prices were high and foreign credit cheap it had little impact on the economy.

ECONOMIST: Ukraine's troubles