TANSTAAFL
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Posted By: Henry Hawthorne on August 28, 2009 TANSTAAFL, I first came across it in an Economics class at UC Davis, and it's the only thing I still remember from that entire course. It's easy to understand: there is (nearly) nothing for free in this world. Everything you use or consume (other than fresh air) has to be produced or at least brought to you by someone. And that "someone" usually doesn't do that gratuitously. TANSTAAFL indicates an acknowledgment that in reality a person or a society cannot get "something for nothing". Even if something appears to be free, there is always a cost to the person or to society as a whole even though that cost may be hidden or distributed. For example, patrons may get complimentary food at a bar during "happy hour", but as the snacks are rather salty this makes them thirsty and may make them order more drinks than they would have consumed otherwise. Saloon customers usually ended up paying for the food in the price of the drinks they were obliged to consume. The economic theory, and also the lay opinion, that whatever goods and services are provided, they must be paid for by someone - i.e. you don't get something for nothing. The phrase is also known by the acronym of 'there ain't no such thing as a free lunch' - tanstaafl. "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch" expresses the idea that even if something seems like it is free, there is always a cost, no matter how indirect or hidden. We have all kinds of government handouts. For instance, college education in Germany is "free” - which means that the taxpayer pays for it. And it's the same with every single benevolence the State decides to lavish on us - none of it is free, it all gets paid for, usually involuntarily, by the taxpayers. With all of the challenges Black people face in this country, from economics to politics, from crime to unemployment, from health care to education, and the list goes on, it is incumbent upon us to find effective and efficient ways to confront those challenges. You may call them problems, which gives many of us an excuse to become overwhelmed and fall into a state of complacency – and then make no attempt to do anything about our situation. But, with every challenge there is an opportunity, and Black people can take advantage of them if we choose to do so. In my opinion, the most efficient way to get relief from our collective doldrums is through synergistic tactics and strategies. By James Clingman Jr. Imagine... a Black Industrial Revolution!!! A resourceful concept that would develop activities that leads to a Black America that would be self-sufficient and competitive as a group. Getting involved in making national and international trade work for sustainable growth and development in the Black community is vital. International trade has an enormous upside for starting and driving an economic empowerment paradigm for Black Americans and people of African descent. By allowing for specialization, global trade can increase incomes and contribute to increased well-being and ultimately, wealth-creation for the Black community. Openness to investment and trade can bring new environmentally-friendly technologies and processes to support an industrialized transformation. Industrialize Black America and people of African descent… adapt this group to industrial methods of production, distribution, and manufacturing, across a wide area with all the accompanying economic changes? Yes! Create industries where Black-owned and operated businesses can play a dominant role as major producers of raw materials and/or major consumers of the finished product. We want to make it possible for Black startup industries to have an effect on larger industries and capture market share based upon Black American and people of African descents’ skin color, culture, population distribution, market loyalties, disposable income, government control, and other competitive advantages. Despite the fact that Black people are the only population group denied the cultural economic and technological benefits of participating in any of the world’s industrial revolutions, it is still not too late for us to build our own. Base upon our consumer spending patterns, cultural assets and market advantages, we can create vertical industries within our own business communities. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Henry Hawthorne
From Sacramento, CA College Not Listed class of 2006 Member Since September 2008 |
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