Modify Econ 101

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One could apply your rationale to almost any product. Let's go to the movie theater next.

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First guy: "Yes, I'd like one free admission to ______________ because there's no way in hell I'd ever pay to see it."

Ticket Seller: "Yes sir. We don't doubt your word. Here's your ticket. Enjoy the show."

Next guy: "I wish I had the extra money to enjoy movie shows, but unfortunately that's not the case. Let me in to see Avatar, the I-Max experience please. I don't want to deny myself and you're really not losing anything anyhow. You'd just have one more empty seat."

"There's no question about that sir. You're right as rain."

Next guy: "Hi, gimme one ticket to ________________. I paid to see one a couple weeks ago. You've gotten plenty of money from me over the years."

Guy to himself as he walks through the turnstyle: "Hey, it worked again."

Guy with cash in his hand: "Before I pay, how come the last three guys got in for free?"

Ticket seller: "It's called 'entitlement'. Some people feel that they are entitled to look, but not pay."

"Really? Is there any chance I could get it in for free?"

"Well, you'd have to rationalize a justifiable reason."

"How bout that it pisses me off that all these scumbags are walking in here for free when I'm expected to pay?"

"Well sir, that's not really a rationalization, that's a fact. But it works for me. Put your cash away, here's a free ticket. Enjoy the show."

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Now, even people of marginal intelligence are bound to ask, "How can a movie theater manage to stay in business if basically no one pays?"

That's really a stupid question if you stop and think about it.

As almost everyone knows, the ticket sellers work for free. None of the actors, actresses, or crew is paid to make the film. There's no split going to the movie distributor. Theaters always get free rent at the mall. The electric company provides all the free electric theaters can use. Even the janitors come in and clean the &%$#@ place up for free.

And -- the best part of all -- no one lost any money. </font>