Econ 101 - The $1 McDonald"s Menu
I hadn't eaten at McDonald's for several months; I have lost 20lbs in the past seven weeks; I decided yesterday that I had earned myself the privilege of a one cheeseburger meal for lunch.
Not a two cheeseburger meal, not a big mac + a chocolate shake meal - a ONE cheeseburger meal.
My girlfriend and I pull up to the drive through where we are accosted with a $1 menu that includes a double cheeseburger.
"That's cool," I think to myself.
"Double cheeseburger only costs $1.
Therefore a single cheeseburger must cost...
" (scanning menu, scanning menu) "ALSO $1?!" "(static)Good afternoon, McDonald's.
Can I take your order?(static)" "Hi, I think there might be some mistake on your menu out here.
How much is your cheeseburger?" "(static)$1.
(static)" "And your double cheeseburger is also $1?" "(static)Cheeseburger and a double cheeseburger are the same price.
(static)" Well, paint me green and call me gumby.
A cheeseburger and a double cheeseburger are the same price.
I spent a minute or two trying to justify to myself how I might decide to get just a cheeseburger.
But, in the end, it simply didn't make economic cents.
Twice as much meat for the same price? I had no alternative but to go with the double cheeseburger.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm no economics expert.
In fact, econ 101 was the only class in which I received below a 'B' throughout my 4 years of college.
But, I really think this warrants some further study.
If we could only figure out what economic principle is operating here, we could kick this recession once and for good.
Clearly there is something far more complex that just ordinary 'supply and demand' at work.
If we could only harness that power - just imagine the newscasts...
"The price of crude oil held steady today at $114 a barrel.
However, thanks to the administration's bold, new economic initiatives in recent months, the price of two barrel's of crude oil also held steady at $114 a barrel.
As a result, gas prices held steady at $4.
09 a gallon or $4.
09 for two gallons.
While the price of a ton of rice in the third world continues to soar, overall food shortages have been greatly alleviated as the price of two tons of rice is now at an all time low.
Gwen I fill reports...
"
Not a two cheeseburger meal, not a big mac + a chocolate shake meal - a ONE cheeseburger meal.
My girlfriend and I pull up to the drive through where we are accosted with a $1 menu that includes a double cheeseburger.
"That's cool," I think to myself.
"Double cheeseburger only costs $1.
Therefore a single cheeseburger must cost...
" (scanning menu, scanning menu) "ALSO $1?!" "(static)Good afternoon, McDonald's.
Can I take your order?(static)" "Hi, I think there might be some mistake on your menu out here.
How much is your cheeseburger?" "(static)$1.
(static)" "And your double cheeseburger is also $1?" "(static)Cheeseburger and a double cheeseburger are the same price.
(static)" Well, paint me green and call me gumby.
A cheeseburger and a double cheeseburger are the same price.
I spent a minute or two trying to justify to myself how I might decide to get just a cheeseburger.
But, in the end, it simply didn't make economic cents.
Twice as much meat for the same price? I had no alternative but to go with the double cheeseburger.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm no economics expert.
In fact, econ 101 was the only class in which I received below a 'B' throughout my 4 years of college.
But, I really think this warrants some further study.
If we could only figure out what economic principle is operating here, we could kick this recession once and for good.
Clearly there is something far more complex that just ordinary 'supply and demand' at work.
If we could only harness that power - just imagine the newscasts...
"The price of crude oil held steady today at $114 a barrel.
However, thanks to the administration's bold, new economic initiatives in recent months, the price of two barrel's of crude oil also held steady at $114 a barrel.
As a result, gas prices held steady at $4.
09 a gallon or $4.
09 for two gallons.
While the price of a ton of rice in the third world continues to soar, overall food shortages have been greatly alleviated as the price of two tons of rice is now at an all time low.
Gwen I fill reports...
"
Source...