[aasasd]

That's exactly where I learned of the effect—the game was probably recently mentioned on HN.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullwhip_effect is the article specifically about the fluctuations.

Come to think of it, apparently in the case of the Alaskan dude just one level of interaction is enough to summon the effect with 100% variation. I wonder what the Costco managers think of the picture on their end and whether they in turn order even more reserves.