Tuesday, August 09, 2011

Markets in Everything: Rent People by the Hour

Pal Locale is “a community of pals available for rent by the hour.”

Read more here.  

HT: Jacob Fink

12 Comments:

At 8/09/2011 3:25 PM, Blogger Kevin said...

Do you think that micro-contracts like this will be a significant market in the future? Will I be able to divide my time between what I'm good at, what I love, and what pays well? Are the barriers to this kind of dynamic cultural or is it truly less efficient since it goes against specialization?

I really enjoy your blog. Keep it up!

 
At 8/09/2011 3:42 PM, Blogger Benjamin Cole said...

Really, can any guy read the ad and not think about sex?

 
At 8/09/2011 3:50 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Benjamin,

She might not think about sex when she sees your picture :-)

 
At 8/09/2011 3:55 PM, Blogger PeakTrader said...

Unfortunately, Mary may be busy, and you'll end up with Bertha.

 
At 8/09/2011 4:16 PM, Blogger PeakTrader said...

What I see in markets from Obamanomics is:

1. Too many idle resources.
2. Too many resources employed inefficiently.
3. Those who work now and in the future working harder for a lower standard of living.

 
At 8/09/2011 4:23 PM, Blogger Mike said...

Benjamin,

No.

 
At 8/09/2011 4:28 PM, Blogger Benjamin Cole said...

Walt G-

Oh, they usually don't even wait for the picture. In my dating days, I used to scare them off just on the telephone.

 
At 8/09/2011 4:29 PM, Blogger Benjamin Cole said...

PS I guess Perry changed the picture of the ad so both women and men could think about what was for sale.

 
At 8/09/2011 5:34 PM, Blogger Ron H. said...

"PS I guess Perry changed the picture of the ad so both women and men could think about what was for sale."

The new picture may be intended as support for the finding mentioned in the "City Journal" article in Sunday's Gender Gap post, that single, childless women make more than single, childless men.

 
At 8/09/2011 5:53 PM, Blogger Benjamin Cole said...

Ron H-

Well, I would pay a lot more to rent that woman for one hour than to rent that guy.

Which brings up a point: In any of these studies, are hookers wages brought into the mix? I mean, $200 is the going rate for e-hookers in Los Angeles.

Add to that, how many girlfriends and wives are essentially earning money with certain charms? Can we put a price on that?

Let me ask my wife how long she will stay married to me, if I stop bringing in the dough...wait a minute, she is already getting her car keys.

 
At 8/09/2011 6:34 PM, Blogger Michael Hoff said...

"a community of pals available for rent by the hour."

Didn't that used to be called a "Brothel?"

 
At 8/09/2011 7:25 PM, Blogger Steven Martin said...

Great idea, and a great job for students that really know a city, and some off the beaten path sights, history and details. We hired a student in Jerusalem to play private tour guide for 6 hours. It was worth every red cent. Knew the city like the back of his hand. Remember it to this day, many years later.

 

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