> Even the good old GDP per capita covers your case. I think the following joke encapsulates the problem with GDP pretty well.. --- Two economists go for a w

> Even the good old GDP per capita covers your case. I think the following joke encapsulates the problem with GDP pretty well.. --- Two economists go for a walk in the forest, and having a competitive nature, the first economist sees a pile of bear shit and says to the second "I'll give you $100 to eat that bear shit". The second economist, being one that generally does anything for money, eats the bear shit, takes the $100 and they continue on their walk. The second economist wants to get back at the first, sees another pile of bear shit and says "I dare YOU to eat that bear shit for $100" thinking no way they will actually do it. Not wanting to be outdone by the second economist, the first also eats the bear shit and takes $100. After walking a bit further, the second economist stops and says to the first "Wait.. did we just both eat shit for nothing??" to which the first replies "No of course not, that would be crazy.. we increased GDP by $200". --- I can't remember the source of the joke but been around for a while and I may have butchered some of the original details.