Comments on: Hovering Nuns in the Cafeteria http://theunbrokenwindow.com/2009/11/17/hovering-nuns-in-the-cafeteria/ The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design. - F.A. Hayek Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:43:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.3 By: Kat http://theunbrokenwindow.com/2009/11/17/hovering-nuns-in-the-cafeteria/comment-page-1/#comment-51054 Kat Sat, 17 Dec 2011 00:42:39 +0000 http://theunbrokenwindow.com/?p=1830#comment-51054 I agree, when we buy something we have earned the right to do what we please with that good. However, when faced with the decision whether to recycle or toss an soda can, what if I consider the future. I value the future amount of aluminum so there is enough for my kids to use. Later, if I do toss it, won't I have to pay for the services to clean up the heaps of trash that accumulate? Or what about health implications? I assume the idea of private property applies to pollution, it's my coal I have the right to burn it. Later on, my health could deteriorate and I have all those doctor expenses. Yes, I can imagine if we do run out of aluminum, there could be a "substitute". But to use another material, there would have to be research, development and production, things that will be very expensive for me the consumer. I feel like I'm missing something. I know this is the process all technology undergoes, hybrid cars were far more expensive a few years ago compared to today, but if we can avoid these costs, why wouldn't we? (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89099470) Can we agree that NO one values this heap of trash floating in the Pacific ocean? It's a burden, but is it simply considered a "cost"? (In one of your review lectures, you used the term "waste" for resources used on things that people do not value; resources that could have been better allocated somewhere else) I agree, when we buy something we have earned the right to do what we please with that good. However, when faced with the decision whether to recycle or toss an soda can, what if I consider the future. I value the future amount of aluminum so there is enough for my kids to use. Later, if I do toss it, won’t I have to pay for the services to clean up the heaps of trash that accumulate? Or what about health implications? I assume the idea of private property applies to pollution, it’s my coal I have the right to burn it. Later on, my health could deteriorate and I have all those doctor expenses.
Yes, I can imagine if we do run out of aluminum, there could be a “substitute”. But to use another material, there would have to be research, development and production, things that will be very expensive for me the consumer.

I feel like I’m missing something. I know this is the process all technology undergoes, hybrid cars were far more expensive a few years ago compared to today, but if we can avoid these costs, why wouldn’t we? (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89099470)
Can we agree that NO one values this heap of trash floating in the Pacific ocean? It’s a burden, but is it simply considered a “cost”? (In one of your review lectures, you used the term “waste” for resources used on things that people do not value; resources that could have been better allocated somewhere else)

]]> By: The Unbroken Window » Blog Archive » Holiday Cheer(lessness) http://theunbrokenwindow.com/2009/11/17/hovering-nuns-in-the-cafeteria/comment-page-1/#comment-50771 The Unbroken Window » Blog Archive » Holiday Cheer(lessness) Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:14:09 +0000 http://theunbrokenwindow.com/?p=1830#comment-50771 [...] for now and focus on the bolded part of the quote. Overly abundant food? Overly abundant food! A crisis? Stop to think about how that food gets produced, and what we must do to secure it. Supply curves [...] [...] for now and focus on the bolded part of the quote. Overly abundant food? Overly abundant food! A crisis? Stop to think about how that food gets produced, and what we must do to secure it. Supply curves [...]

]]> By: jb http://theunbrokenwindow.com/2009/11/17/hovering-nuns-in-the-cafeteria/comment-page-1/#comment-20589 jb Tue, 11 Jan 2011 17:05:40 +0000 http://theunbrokenwindow.com/?p=1830#comment-20589 A late response: Yes, much better, thanks. I am going to re-read this several times until I can respond promptly when someone blathers on about "waste" . I hear it all the time. Thank you! A late response: Yes, much better, thanks. I am going to re-read this several times until I can respond promptly when someone blathers on about “waste” . I hear it all the time. Thank you!

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