Off Topic — HabitableZone

Off Topic » in reply to WHO CARES?

What business is it of yours whether someone cares or not?
Larry J — (archived)

Personally, I find baseball about as boring as watching grass grow but some people really get into the game. Different strokes, I guess. Some call charging those kinds of prices scalping, and it is illegal in many states. I've read that isn't the case in California. There, once you buy something, you're free to resell it for whatever price someone is willing to pay, no different than any other form of property. Imagine that.

Some people do care a lot about their sports and other forms of entertainment. According to a recent CNN report, Branson has some 7,000 people like William Shatner willing to pony up over $200,000 for a suborbital space flight. If they can afford it, they're free to spend their money however they see fit. If this follows the model of so many other things, then perhaps the ticket price will drop substancially once the R&D costs are recouped.

I'd never pay that kind of money for a sporting event of any kind. However, a few weeks ago, my wife and I paid $100 each to see "The Lion King" on Broadway. I can hardly wait for the opportunity to do it again when my grandkids are old enough to enjoy the show (say 5-7 years old). Not only do I want them to see the show, I look forward to seeing again myself. Yes, it was that good.

As for the salaries of jocks verses teachers, it all comes down to supply and demand. There are well over a million teachers in the US, but only a few thousand who can play baseball at that level. Few people are willing to pay to watch most teachers (or cops, firefighters, etc.). Like I said, a lot of people are willing to pay a lot of money for their entertainment, as witnessed by the pay that many singers, musicians, actors, and athletes pull in.

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