4 ms·
Not everything in a crisis can be cast in rational, economic terms. There's also the intangible emotional and social-cohesion value that comes from the sense th
by dctoedt 14y ago
Not everything in a crisis can be cast in rational, economic terms. There's also the intangible emotional and social-cohesion value that comes from the sense that "we're all in this together." Sudden price increases, no matter how rational they might be economically, can damage that sense of community.
- tptacek 14y agoThe problem that the article points out is, hoarding damages community cohesion too.
- dctoedt 14y ago> hoarding damages community cohesion too True, but not in a manner readily attributable to a particular party, as is the case with price increases. If a gas station raises its prices, everyone knows who did it and can point the finger of blame. On the other hand, if the gas station runs out of gasoline, no one knows who hoarded by buying more than they needed, except possibly the hoarders themselves --- who might not know whether or not they actually needed the extra gasoline until after the crisis has passed.