Scroogenomics
Joel Waldfogel
Christmas is a time of seasonal cheer, family get-togethers, holiday parties, and-gift giving. Lots and lots--and lots--of gift giving. It's hard to imagine any Christmas without this time-honored custom. But let's stop to consider the gifts we receive--the rooster sweater from Grandma or the singing fish from Uncle Mike. How many of us get gifts we like? How many of us give gifts not knowing what recipients want? Did your cousin really look excited about that jumping alarm clock? Lively and informed, Scroogenomics illuminates how our consumer spending generates vast amounts of economic waste--to the shocking tune of eighty-five billion dollars each winter. Economist Joel Waldfogel provides solid explanations to show us why it's time to stop the madness and think twice before buying gifts for the holidays.
When we buy for ourselves, every dollar we spend produces at least a dollar in satisfaction, because we shop carefully and purchase items that are worth more than they cost. Gift giving is different. We make less-informed choices, max out on credit to buy gifts worth less than the money spent, and leave recipients less than satisfied, creating what Waldfogel calls "deadweight loss." Waldfogel discusses how this waste isn't confined to Americans--most major economies share in this orgy of wealth destruction. While recognizing the difficulties of altering current trends, Waldfogel offers viable gift-giving alternatives.
Duration - 3h 51m.
Author - Joel Waldfogel.
Narrator - Lloyd James.
Published Date - Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Location:
United States
Description:
Christmas is a time of seasonal cheer, family get-togethers, holiday parties, and-gift giving. Lots and lots--and lots--of gift giving. It's hard to imagine any Christmas without this time-honored custom. But let's stop to consider the gifts we receive--the rooster sweater from Grandma or the singing fish from Uncle Mike. How many of us get gifts we like? How many of us give gifts not knowing what recipients want? Did your cousin really look excited about that jumping alarm clock? Lively and informed, Scroogenomics illuminates how our consumer spending generates vast amounts of economic waste--to the shocking tune of eighty-five billion dollars each winter. Economist Joel Waldfogel provides solid explanations to show us why it's time to stop the madness and think twice before buying gifts for the holidays. When we buy for ourselves, every dollar we spend produces at least a dollar in satisfaction, because we shop carefully and purchase items that are worth more than they cost. Gift giving is different. We make less-informed choices, max out on credit to buy gifts worth less than the money spent, and leave recipients less than satisfied, creating what Waldfogel calls "deadweight loss." Waldfogel discusses how this waste isn't confined to Americans--most major economies share in this orgy of wealth destruction. While recognizing the difficulties of altering current trends, Waldfogel offers viable gift-giving alternatives. Duration - 3h 51m. Author - Joel Waldfogel. Narrator - Lloyd James. Published Date - Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Language:
English
Opening Credits
Duration:00:00:15
Preface
Duration:00:02:13
Chapter 1 Introduction
Duration:00:07:27
Chapter 2 Spending and Satisfaction
Duration:00:27:24
Chapter 3 U. S. Holiday Spending
Duration:00:08:25
Chapter 4 How much waste occurs at Christmas
Duration:00:19:53
Chapter 5 Why we do it
Duration:00:25:26
Chapter 6 Giving and waste
Duration:00:22:03
Chapter 7 A century of American Yuletide spending
Duration:00:11:37
Chapter 8 Have yourself a borrowed little Christmas
Duration:00:17:46
Chapter 9 Is Christmas like spam, underwear or caviar?
Duration:00:15:29
Chapter 10 Christmas and Commercialism
Duration:00:07:23
Chapter 11 Stop carping. It's all for the best
Duration:00:14:05
Chapter 12 Making giving more efficient with cash and gift cards
Duration:00:10:52
Chapter 13 Giving and redistribution
Duration:00:21:57
Chapter 14 Solutions
Duration:00:19:21
Ending Credits
Duration:00:00:20