5 ms·

Thomas Schelling [0] has shown that even if your most preferred neighborhood is a perfect mix of races, it is a dynamically unstable equilibrium (assuming that

by k2enemy 13y ago

Thomas Schelling [0] has shown that even if your most preferred neighborhood is a perfect mix of races, it is a dynamically unstable equilibrium (assuming that if the balance tips one way or the other, you prefer it to tip towards your own race). That is, segregated neighborhoods are not necessarily a sign that people prefer segregation -- it is also a natural outcome when people want to live in a mixed neighborhood. There are many interesting simulations of the phenomenon. [1] [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Schelling https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Schelling [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_XtboyO8jc&noredirect=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_XtboyO8jc&noredirect=1

bentcorner 13y ago
Here's an implementation of Schelling's model: http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/Segregation http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/Segregation
revelation 13y ago
Do people pick their dwelling by racial mix? I would expect this to be much more of a function of income and means.
- michaelt 13y ago
  Obviously you can't pay more than your means, but the housing market has people bidding against one another for products that differ in dozens of different dimensions. Me, maybe I'm willing to pay more for my favorite architectural style and off-road parking for my motorbike. Maybe you're starting a family, you'll pay more to live in an area with a quality public school, and a park where you can walk your dog. Another person might pay a premium for a safer neighborhood with lower crime rates and more local shops. We all take our preferences, decide what we're willing to pay, and you outbid me because I wasn't willing to pay any premium for that public school (or whatever).
- auctiontheory 13y ago
  Apparently you have never tried to "rent while black."
  - bostonvaulter2 13y ago
    Can you expound upon that? What exactly happens?
    - prutschman 13y ago
      Here is an article on the subject: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/business/economy/discrimination-in-housing-against-nonwhites-persists-quietly-us-study-finds.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/business/economy/discrimin... > In one test, a white customer looking for a two-bedroom apartment was shown a two-bedroom and a one-bedroom and given applications for both, while a Hispanic customer who arrived two hours later was told that nothing was available. In another, a real estate agent refused to meet with a black tester who was not prequalified for a loan, while a white tester was given an appointment without being asked if she had prequalified.

by k2enemy 13y ago

bentcorner 13y ago

Here's an implementation of Schelling's model: http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/Segregation http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/Segregation

revelation 13y ago

Do people pick their dwelling by racial mix? I would expect this to be much more of a function of income and means.

michaelt 13y ago
Obviously you can't pay more than your means, but the housing market has people bidding against one another for products that differ in dozens of different dimensions. Me, maybe I'm willing to pay more for my favorite architectural style and off-road parking for my motorbike. Maybe you're starting a family, you'll pay more to live in an area with a quality public school, and a park where you can walk your dog. Another person might pay a premium for a safer neighborhood with lower crime rates and more local shops. We all take our preferences, decide what we're willing to pay, and you outbid me because I wasn't willing to pay any premium for that public school (or whatever).
auctiontheory 13y ago
Apparently you have never tried to "rent while black."
- bostonvaulter2 13y ago
  Can you expound upon that? What exactly happens?
  - prutschman 13y ago
    Here is an article on the subject: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/business/economy/discrimination-in-housing-against-nonwhites-persists-quietly-us-study-finds.html?_r=0 http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/12/business/economy/discrimin... > In one test, a white customer looking for a two-bedroom apartment was shown a two-bedroom and a one-bedroom and given applications for both, while a Hispanic customer who arrived two hours later was told that nothing was available. In another, a real estate agent refused to meet with a black tester who was not prequalified for a loan, while a white tester was given an appointment without being asked if she had prequalified.