Lessons in Love, by Way of Economics

By BEN STEIN
Published: July 13, 2008

AS my fine professor of economics at Columbia, C. Lowell Harriss (who just celebrated his 96th birthday) used to tell us, economics is the study of the allocation of scarce goods and services. What could be scarcer or more precious than love? It is rare, hard to come by and often fragile.

My primary life study has been about love. Second comes economics, so here, in the form of a few rules, is a little amalgam of the two fields: the economics of love. (I last wrote about this subject 20 years or so ago, and it’s time to update it.)

•

In general, and with rare exceptions, the returns in love situations are roughly proportional to the amount of time and devotion invested. The amount of love you get from an investment in love is correlated, if only roughly, to the amount of yourself you invest in the relationship.

If you invest caring, patience and unselfishness, you get those things back. (This assumes, of course, that you are having a relationship with someone who loves you, and not a one-sided love affair with someone who isn’t interested.)

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High-quality bonds consistently yield more return than junk, and so it is with high-quality love. As for the returns on bonds, I know that my comment will come as a surprise to people who have been brainwashed into thinking that junk bonds are free money. They aren’t. The data from the maven of bond research, W. Braddock Hickman, shows that junk debt outperforms high quality only in rare situations, because of the default risk.

In love, the data is even clearer. Stay with high-quality human beings. And once you find that you are in a junk relationship, sell immediately. Junk situations can look appealing and seductive, but junk is junk. Be wary of it unless you control the market.

(Or, as I like to tell college students, the absolutely surest way to ruin your life is to have a relationship with someone with many serious problems, and to think that you can change this person.)

•

Research pays off. The most appealing and seductive (that word again) exterior can hide the most danger and chance of loss. For most of us, diversification in love, at least beyond a very small number, is impossible, so it’s necessary to do a lot of research on the choice you make. It is a rare man or woman who can resist the outward and the surface. But exteriors can hide far too much.

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In every long-term romantic situation, returns are greater when there is a monopoly. If you have to share your love with others, if you have to compete even after a brief while with others, forget the whole thing. You want to have monopoly bonds with your long-term lover. At least most situations work out better this way. ( I am too old to consider short-term romantic events. Those were my life when Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon were in the White House.)

•

The returns on your investment should at least equal the cost of the investment. If you are getting less back than you put in over a considerable period of time, back off.

•

Long-term investment pays off. The impatient day player will fare poorly without inside information or market-controlling power. He or she will have a few good days but years of agony in the world of love.

To coin a phrase: Fall in love in haste, repent at leisure.

•

Realistic expectations are everything. If you have unrealistic expectations, they will rarely be met. If you think that you can go from nowhere to having someone wonderful in love with you, you are probably wrong.

You need expectations that match reality before you can make some progress. There may be exceptions, but they are rare.

•

When you have a winner, stick with your winner. Whether in love or in the stock market, winners are to be prized.

•

Have a dog or many dogs or cats in your life. These are your anchors to windward and your unfailing source of love.

Ben Franklin summed it up well. In times of stress, the three best things to have are an old dog, an old wife and ready money. How right he was.

THERE is more that could be said about the economics of love, but these thoughts may divert you while you are thinking about your future.

And let me close with another thought. I am far from glib about the economy. It has a lot of pitfalls facing it. As workers and investors, we know that many dangers lurk in our paths.

But so far, these things have always worked themselves out and this one will, too. In the meantime, they say that falling in love is wonderful, and that the best is falling in love with what you have.

Ben Stein is a lawyer, writer, actor and economist. E-mail: ebiz@nytimes.com.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/business/13every.html

Get Expelled - The Movie - Super Trailer

-Ben Stein

Link: http://www.expelledthemovie.com/home.php

Program for Jan-April quarter

Program for this quarter:

Dec 14 : GZ 料理の鉄人 - 愛心筵席 (Silvia)
Dec 21 : Bible Study (GL; Alice; Shirley)
Dec 28 : Christmas Celebration (Shirley/Wing)

Jan 4 : Hot pot and Movie @ Shirley and Wing's place - ChiKin
Jan 11 : Prayer Conference
Jan 18 : Cell Group
Jan 25 : Bible study

Feb 1 : Hymn sharing - Felix
Feb 8 : Senior Home preparation (Karen)
Feb 9 (Sat) : Senior Home Visit
Feb 15 : Jubilization
Feb 22 : Bible study
Feb 29 : Preparation for Mar 7 Pot Luck - Ricky

Mar 7 : Pot Luck (Yau Mun Yau Sik) @ Ricky's place - Ricky
Mar 14 : Cell group
Mar 21 : Planning - Silvia
Mar 28 : Bible study

Hillsong - Evermore

"As I look upon Your name, circumstances fade away". What a comfort and shelter we have in God.



Lost for words with all to say
Lord you take my breath away
Still my soul, my soul cries out
You are holy

And as I look upon Your name
Circumstances fade away
Now Your glory steals my heart
You are holy

You are holy
You are holy Lord

Chorus:
Evermore my heart, my heart will say
Above all, I live for Your glory
Even if my world falls I will say
Above all, I live for Your glory

With all my heart I'll say
I'm living for Your name
With all to give You praise
We're living for Your glory Lord

Hillsong - At the Cross

"Oh Lord You've searched me, You know my way; Even when I fail You, I know You love me." God knows you better than you know yourself. But He still loves you so much.

http://www.youtube.com/v/dw7orGUz8TU



Verse 1:
Oh Lord You’ve searched me,
You know my way;
Even when I fail You,
I know You love me.
Your holy presence
Surrounding me
In every season,
I know You love me;
I know You love me.

Chorus:
At the cross I bow my knee,
Where Your blood was shed for me,
There’s no greater love than this.
You have overcome the grave,
Your glory fills the highest place,
What can separate me now?

Verse 2:
You go before me,
You shield my way,
Your hand upholds me;
I know You love me.
And when the earth fades,
Falls from my eyes,
And You stand before me,
I know You love me;
I know You love me.

Bridge:
You tore the veil, You made a way
When You said that it is done.

Chris Tomlin - Made to Worship

This song is so inspirational and uplifting.

"You and I will see
who we were meant to be"

Indeed, a Christian life is a life of worship and surrender. It is really a strange paradox... It is only by losing ourselves that we can finally find ourselves again, and know who we really are. And it is only by surrendering that we experience true freedom. I told you God is humorous. Try telling that to the criminal. :)

"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." (Matthew 16:25)

It is so true.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p2yreN9jn8



1. Before the day, before the light
Before the world revolved around the sun
God on high
Stepped down into time
And wrote the story of His love for everyone

Pre-chorus:
He has filled our hearts with wonder
So that we always remember

Chorus:
You and I were made to worship
You and I are called to love
You and I are forgiven and free
When You and I embrace surrender
You and I choose to believe
You and I will see who we were meant to be

2. All we are, and all we have
Is all a gift from God that we receive
Brought to life
We open up our eyes
To see the majesty and glory of the King

Bridge:
And even the rocks cry out
And even the Heavens shout
At the sound of His holy name!
So let every voice sing out
And let every knee bow down
He is worthy of all our praise!

Alice's favourite

Here's Alice's favourite :) Shame they didn't sing it yesterday, it's so good...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJuw6dzlYNw



1. Savior I come
Quiet my soul
Remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom

Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross

2. You were as I
Tempted and trialed
Human
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen

Bridge:
To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

We must go

A friend sent this video to me earlier, I think it's so relevant to yesterday's message at the concert... I am really interested in what God has spoken to you at the concert, do you think we should have a sharing time later?

History of Christianity

History of Christianity

so much stuff to learn from the above site!

時代論壇 - 轉載

明光社十週年研討會
涂謹申：別小看三十萬基督徒的力量
（5月8日消息）

教宗指資本主義及社會主義
沒有為南美洲帶來希望
（5月16日消息）