MeatyREADS

Some Nonsense, by Request

March 12, 2008 – 5:48 pm by BH

It’s still about economics, so don’t get too excited. Anyway, here is a list of academic papers based on the Simpsons. (HT) It trends generally towards the humanities, with a few exceptions. Unfortunately it missed a great article by economist Joshua Hall, a professor at Beloit College and blogger at Division of Labor. So read Homer Economicus: Using The Simpsons to Teach Economics. (pdf) In case you’re not convinced of the brilliance and nonsense, try this:

When discussing the important role that incentives play in the organization and structure of the firm, I use the following example from the episode “You Only Move Twice.” In the episode, Homer Simpson is hired away from his job as a nuclear safety engineer at the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant by the Globex Corporation to help build a nuclear generator. Unbeknownst to Homer, Globex is building the generator to help achieve CEO Hank Scorpio’s dream of world domination. Homer finds the career move quite rewarding, and in a rare moment of lucidity explains to Marge how he imposed a cheap incentive structure that motivated his employees and minimized any possible shirking: “Mr. Scolpio says productivity is up two percent, and it’s all because of my motivational techniques. Like, donuts. And a possibility of more donuts to come.”

Umm, donuts.