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DIAMOND-WATER PARADOX: The perplexing observation that water, which is more useful than diamonds, has a lower price. If price is related to utility, how can this occur? This paradox was first proposed by classical economists in the 19th century and was subsequently used as a stepping stone for developing the notion of marginal utility and the role it plays in the demand price of a good. The paradox is magically cleared up with an understanding of marginal utility and total utility. People are willing to pay a higher price for goods with greater marginal utility. As such, water which is plentiful has enormous total utility, but a low price because of a low marginal utility. Diamonds, however, have less total utility because they are less plentiful, but a high price because of a high marginal utility.
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EFFICIENT The state of resource allocation that exists when the highest level of consumer satisfaction is achieved from available resources. This state can be accomplished through markets when the price buyers are willing and able to pay for a good--based on the satisfaction obtained--is equal to the price sellers need to charge for a good--based on the opportunity cost of production.
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GRAY SKITTERY
[What's This?]
Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time flipping through mail order catalogs trying to buy either a coffee cup commemorating the moon landing or a how-to book on surfing the Internet. Be on the lookout for florescent light bulbs that hum folk songs from the sixties.
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This isn't me! What am I?
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Cyrus McCormick not only invented the reaper for harvesting grain, he also invented the installment payment for selling his reaper.
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"Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly and get on with improving your other innovations. " -- Steve Jobs, Apple Computer founder
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OPEC
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
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