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[robustpuppy]

Originally posted by str8outavannuys
I'm so tempted not to respond to this . . . but here we go.

1. LFM disputed my assertion that I was being paid "1/3 below market value." Underlying his post were the following assumptions, common in micro economics.

(a) People are rational actors
(b) There is free movement in labor markets

Based on (a) and (b), LFM said there's no such thing as somebody working for below market value. Everyone works for their market value by definition.

2. I then explained that I was in a lengthy employment contract. There's a risk that I would be sued for breach if I left early. Thus the common assumption about free movement does not apply to my situation.

But furthermore . . .

I also explained that I think it's fair to say that someone's salary (e.g. mine) is below market-value, and (implicitly) that person need not be behaving irrationally, if there are non-salary factors (experience, benefits, ease of job) that make the entire package the best available option at the time for the worker. It is still correct, in such a situation, to say that someone is being paid a salary below market value. At the same time, I would acknowlege that the total (monetary and non-monetary, economic and non-economic) benefits being received by that worker reflects his market value, assuming free information about other opportunities, ability to move freely between jobs, and zero transactions costs (as we all know, however, the transactions costs involved in changing jobs are huge).

3. You posted the crap I quoted above, which does not actually bear at all on our semantic debate about whether it is ever accurate to say that a worker is working for less than market value. And then you call me a moron? What the fucking fuck is wrong with you. Go fuck yourself.

Fringey, I think it might be time for you to find a new group of people to annoy. I am patient and tolerant to a fault, and I make every effort to bridge communication gaps and help people understand each other. If my patience with you is exhausted, I can't imagine how others on this board feel. I like this board, but I'd like it a lot more if you weren't around it so much.

Please tell me you're kidding. Or that mmmmmm3587 stole your log-in. Or that you overdosed on sincerity soda.

You asked for it, and Fringey is really fucking funny.