"The Question" in Detective Comics #857 by Greg Rucka and Cully Hamner (2009)Hmm...I don't know about that, Tot. I think people who sell human lives think of them as a pretty damn expensive commodity. After all, they know just high highly valued human lives are and are cognizant that certain types of people value them so highly that they'd be willing and able to pay very large sums for them. It's a money maker.
Economists value lives too, but in a different way. Actually, they have done considerable work on this. Of course, the economic "value of life" is a statistical in nature and should not be confused with value in the sense that "life if priceless." Rather, "value of statistical life" estimates see what people would be willing to pay or sacrifice to reduce the probability of death. The thing is that most of us (unless you were someone like, say, The Joker) would be willing to give up all of our wealth to avoid a 100% probability of death. Yet, when it comes to smaller probabilities, individuals make trade-offs between monetary wealth and safety every day. People pay for health insurance, get vaccines, buy alarms for their houses, etc. Similarly, people accept small risks in order to not expend anything. When someone jaywalks, for instance, that person is subject to a tiny increase in the probability of death for the payoff of saving a few seconds of time. These implicit trade-offs are what make up the value of a statistical life.
Economists, policymakers, federal agencies and others use such estimates to evaluate the potential benefits of public policy programs, particularly those involving health, environment, workplace safety and transportation regulations. There are numerous studies and methodologies to arrive at these estimates. Some use surveys that flat out ask what individuals would be willing to pay to diminish the probability of death. Others look at data on individual expenditures and purchases to construct variables that portray willingness to pay (i.e. pay for safety) or willingness to accept (i.e. get paid for a risk). For instance, this paper looks at the trade-off between worker fatality risks and wages using BLS data on worker deaths by occupation and industry. It estimated a value of $4.7 million for the full sample used, $7.0 million for blue collar males, and $8.5 million for blue collar females.
I haven't kept up with the research, but most estimates I have seen tend to hover around $7-$8 million or so. In June 2008, the EPA had estimated the value of a statistical life to be $6.9 million (about $1 million less than five years ago), which prompted the media to have a field day about the devaluation of human life.
Here's an NBER paper about general problems and uses of value of life estimates.
What do you suppose the human traffickers that Renee Montoya is hunting charge for lives they sell? I know that this is a different value than the one we just discussed, but do you think it's more than $7 million?
Edit: Apparently it's much less, according to a comment. The lesson here is that the economics in action movies are generally unreliable.
Economists value lives too, but in a different way. Actually, they have done considerable work on this. Of course, the economic "value of life" is a statistical in nature and should not be confused with value in the sense that "life if priceless." Rather, "value of statistical life" estimates see what people would be willing to pay or sacrifice to reduce the probability of death. The thing is that most of us (unless you were someone like, say, The Joker) would be willing to give up all of our wealth to avoid a 100% probability of death. Yet, when it comes to smaller probabilities, individuals make trade-offs between monetary wealth and safety every day. People pay for health insurance, get vaccines, buy alarms for their houses, etc. Similarly, people accept small risks in order to not expend anything. When someone jaywalks, for instance, that person is subject to a tiny increase in the probability of death for the payoff of saving a few seconds of time. These implicit trade-offs are what make up the value of a statistical life.
Economists, policymakers, federal agencies and others use such estimates to evaluate the potential benefits of public policy programs, particularly those involving health, environment, workplace safety and transportation regulations. There are numerous studies and methodologies to arrive at these estimates. Some use surveys that flat out ask what individuals would be willing to pay to diminish the probability of death. Others look at data on individual expenditures and purchases to construct variables that portray willingness to pay (i.e. pay for safety) or willingness to accept (i.e. get paid for a risk). For instance, this paper looks at the trade-off between worker fatality risks and wages using BLS data on worker deaths by occupation and industry. It estimated a value of $4.7 million for the full sample used, $7.0 million for blue collar males, and $8.5 million for blue collar females.
I haven't kept up with the research, but most estimates I have seen tend to hover around $7-$8 million or so. In June 2008, the EPA had estimated the value of a statistical life to be $6.9 million (about $1 million less than five years ago), which prompted the media to have a field day about the devaluation of human life.
Here's an NBER paper about general problems and uses of value of life estimates.
What do you suppose the human traffickers that Renee Montoya is hunting charge for lives they sell? I know that this is a different value than the one we just discussed, but do you think it's more than $7 million?
Edit: Apparently it's much less, according to a comment. The lesson here is that the economics in action movies are generally unreliable.
Posts
17 comments:
I don't think any of the human trafficers in the real world (forced prostitution, or more direct slavery in parts of Africa) value life that highly. I'm be surprised if the average price of a sold human was over $50,000.
Aha. google to the rescue
http://fora.tv/2009/09/09/RIGHTS_Kevin_Bales_on_Ending_Slavery_and_Human_Trafficking#fullprogram
around 9:10, says the price of a human is about $90, down from the historical average of $40,000. So while people may value their own lives much more highly, the price of someone else is quite affordable.
Wow, I didn't expect that, but then again I confess to knowing more about the statistical value of life than the value on the black market. My knowledge of that came primarily from movies starring people like Liam Neeson.
The cost of a life is dependant on what it is being used for. Human trafficking for forced labour in a mine, low-end prostitution, textile mills or agricultural is going to be pretty low. The cost of $90.00 seems a little too low because it doesn't cover the cost of shipment or delivery.. though in some cases you get the forced labour to do it for you. It also doesn't cover minimal amounts of food, and guards. I would put it down to being less than paying a person minimum wage or near abouts.
Now for more valued persons (luxury prostitutes or 'brides') or maybe forced scientists for someone like MODOK or Ra's Al Ghul is going to be a lot more. In that case the value would be higher but probably not the statistical value of a person because you aren't going to 'use' that person for 50 years or so. Someone like M.O.D.O.K is probably going to use them for 6 months and then have them die when the lab explodes.
Smooge - So you think that black market human traffickers should actually create a cost structure that is scaled based on the value of a statistical life and the duration of use?
@ShadowBanker I think that it would work out in a world where supervillians/nations existed. To be honest I think that people like M.O.D.O.K. or Brainiac would compute out that in their price dealings. People like the Joker and such probably would not but enough of the 'evil scientist' types would work out cost-averages and such to set a base market.
I could see someone like the Shadow Broker setting up not just things like "Here is your abandoned factory" but "here is your band of thugs" and "we got you a couple of technicians to build your weapon" to "you are looking for some pricey people there for that city smasher... especially ones who aren't already trying to build it for someone else... oh you don't mind getting those... well give me a week"
The Human Broker would look at it as investment.. it costs this much to find this person, and the more specialized the more likely it will get the attention of governments or super-heroes. That gives you a minimum risk price. On the other side there is what that person would be worth. Lets say that a super-scientist is worth say 100 million versus the average 6 million over a lifetime... The Human Broker would know that its going to cost him X to steal the person, and keep them locked up 'safely'. He then will want a return on that investment to make sure its worthwhile (or to make it so that the Joker isnt asking every week for another set of scientists.. well he can ask but unless he has 20 million its not happening).
I am thoroughly convinced in this said post. I am currently searching for ways in which I could enhance my knowledge in this said topic you have posted here. It does help me a lot knowing that you have shared this information here freely. I love the way the people here interact and shared their opinions too. I would love to track your future posts pertaining to the said topic we are able to read.
I think one cant put a price on life, it is the most valuable thing one can have, not even organs can be priced.
I used to be wondering if you want to be a guest poster on my web site? and in trade you may include a link your submit? Please reply whenever you get a chance and I will ship you my contact particulars - thanks. Anyway, in my language, there will not be much good supply like this.
Can I make a suggestion? I believe youve obtained something good here. But what should you added a pair links to a page that backs up what youre saying? Or possibly you could give us one thing to look at, one thing that may connect what youre saying to one thing tangible? Only a suggestion. Anyway, in my language, there aren't much good source like this.
I was questioning what is up with that bizarre gravatar??? I do know 5am is early and I'm not wanting my finest at that hour, but I hope I don't seem like this! I would nonetheless make that face if I am asked to do a hundred pushups. lol Anyway, in my language, there aren't much good supply like this.
Incredible submit! This might help lots of folks discover out about this matter. Do you wish to incorporate video clips along with these? It could undoubtedly help out. Your purpose was spot on and owing to you; I probably won't have to explain all the pieces to my pals. I can merely direct them here. Anyway, in my language, there aren't a lot good supply like this.
Hi, i bp claims process learn your blog often and that i bp claims process personal an identical one and i bp claims process was simply questioning if you get numerous spam bp claims process comments? If that's the bp claims process case how do you forestall it, any plugin or something you may recommend? I am bp claims process getting so much lately it is driving me mad so any help is very a lot appreciated. Anyway, in my language, there will bp claims process not be a lot good supply like this.
hello, i think that this post is the best that i have read.
I am thoroughly convinced in this said post. I am currently searching for ways in which I could enhance my knowledge in this said topic you have posted here.
coronado island hotels
Caribbean real estate
kelowna real estate listings
Thank you for sharing to us.there are many person searching about that now they will find enough resources by your post.I would like to join your blog anyway so please continue sharing with us
Thanks for the share. It was very interesting to read top to bottom.
Android app development| Android app developer|
Post a Comment