Pie in the face? (Letters)."A fair share of the pie" (SN: 2/16/02, p. 104) indicates that the researchers were surprised that the participants from "traditional societies" acted in some mode rather than pure self-interest. This isn't surprising if you accept the notion that true self-interest is that which gives the most overall personal benefit both now and in the foreseeable future. All of the participants acted exactly as you would expect, based on their individual cultures. What is a mystery is that the researchers' idea of "traditional economic theory" totally ignores Adam Smith, who maintained that in free competitive markets the best result comes from each individual in the group doing what is best for himself. There is nothing "provocative or interesting" about this research except that it further confirms traditional free market economic theory. JIM Jim Miss Watson’s runaway slave; Huck’s traveling companion. [Am. Lit.: Huckleberry Finn] See : Escape GESICK, MONTROSE, COLO Colo Colorado (old style state abbreviation) COLO Columbus, Ohio COLO Co-Location COLO Colonial National Historic Park (US National Park Service) COLO Cost Of Living Option . The economic experimentalism is interesting but misses the point of the way tribal societies evolved. I spent a year in the Peace Corps among the Tchadian Kanembu and found that sharing is mandatory. It keeps the tribe alive. Sharing during good times is most difficult. The memory of bad times is always there, and it will always modify the results of any economic experiment in ways that those of us from nontribal societies will find troubling. JIM ADAMS Jim Adams born (James Adams) is an American heavy metal guitarist. His is best known for being lead guitarist for thrash metal band Defiance. Joining the band in 1985, Adams quickly became an integral member of the band, co-writing much of their material and playing on all three of , LOUISA, VA. Many citizens in advanced economies also appear to be afflicted af·flict tr.v. af·flict·ed, af·flict·ing, af·flicts To inflict grievous physical or mental suffering on. [Middle English afflighten, from afflight, with what in the Hadza is known as "donor fatigue donor fatigue n → Spendenmüdigkeit f ." However, when these citizens "have a chance to escape from forced sharing," their Internal Revenue Service (or equivalent) goes after them for tax evasion The process whereby a person, through commission of Fraud, unlawfully pays less tax than the law mandates. Tax evasion is a criminal offense under federal and state statutes. A person who is convicted is subject to a prison sentence, a fine, or both. . TODD CAMPBELL, BELTON, TEXAS |
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