objectives
Demonstrate an understanding of public goods
Explain what makes the work of a superhero a public good
time needed
10-15 minutes.
materials
Either handouts of comic panels, or a projection of the panels or the ability to show the video. Or you could use both media.
overview
Part of the superhero code is that you don’t use your powers to make money. This runs contrary to what we experience in the real world. A comparative advantage or extensive human capital is how we differentiate ourselves in the labor market and how we earn a living. When Peter Parker’s uncle Ben dies his aunt May finds herself in real financial difficulty. Peter starts looking for a job to help out, but for some reason, perhaps it is the superhero code, he is reluctant to use his abilities to earn money. Instead, he takes jobs that pay very little. When he fails to show up on time, he often gets fired.
But why does Peter Parker need a job to begin with? He is the Amazing Spider-Man! He should be able to earn lots of money in any number of ways. Well, perhaps, but the main vocation of heroes is to save people, and saving people includes some peculiarities. Saving people the way a superhero would do it, is a public good.
media summary
The movie clip and the comic strip offer similar instances of Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man) .
action
Before a formal presentation of public goods, distribute the comic panels (or show them on the screen) or show the video clip. Ask students to pair up and discuss whether a hero should be able to charge for the work they do. Also, ask students to consider what is unique about saving people. What price should be charged? When do you collect payment? What happens if someone cannot or will not pay?
1. Have them write down what they think.
2. After a few minutes, ask them to share their ideas. Focus particularly on how answers relate to public goods without formally mentioning public goods.
3. Ask students if they they would pay to be rescued. How much would they pay?
discussion
1. Who bears the burden of Peter’s decision not to use his powers to make money?
a. The pizza shop owner
b. Peter Parker
c. The pizza customer
d. All of the above
2. How does being a superhero interfere with Peter’s ability to make a living?
a. It does not. Superheroes do not have to make a choice between saving people and working.
b. Being a superhero is more fun than working a regular job.
c. Being a superhero makes it hard to do your job because everyone recognizes you.
d. Doing good takes time and attention away from doing your job.
3. Why isn’t pizza delivery a good job for a superhero?
a. The job is too hectic.
b. The pay is too low.
c. Superheroes need more flexibility in their jobs because people need to be saved at a moment’s notice.
d. The rate of return on using heroes to deliver pizzas is too low.
4. How are the video and the comic panel different?
Answers:
1. (d) While Peter bears the largest burden, everyone is made worse off when Peter does not use his powers. Peter gets fired, but the pizza owner could have gotten pizzas to his customers much more quickly, and the customers would not have to wait so long to eat. When someone does not use their abilities to their potential, the entire market is made worse off.
2. (d) Like most heroes, Peter is perpetually having to skip out on work to save someone. This interferes with his ability to perform tasks at work. As shown in the video clip, Peter is not able to complete the simple job of delivering pizza on time because he takes a detour to save two little kids. In the workplace, it would be very difficult if an employee were constantly leaving the office.
3. (c) Unfortunately, a job where time is of the essence is a bad choice for a superhero. He needs something where the hours are more flexible, something like taking pictures for a newspaper, which is the job most closely associated with Peter Parker.
4. In contrast to his failure as a pizza delivery boy, Peter does make it big in the ring. The comic panel provides a starkly different outcome as Peter takes home $100. There are two important differences between these two situations. First, Peter only has to remain in the ring for three minutes. This limited engagement means he most likely will not be called on to save someone before the job gets done. Second, Peter is clearly willing to use his powers to make money. This is an opportunity that someone in a free market could seize.
