Economics of street prostitution

[Guest BenLA]

If you find academic economics interesting(and who doesn't?), this is a fun read:

http://economics.uchicago.edu/pdf/Prostitution%205.pdf

Or, for those who're pressed for time, read a short article about the above here:

http://www.economist.com/finance/displayst...ory_id=10533877

Cheerily, Ben

http://www.maleescortreview.com/index.php?...rt_id=106010112

http://www.men4rentnow.com/ds/search.asp?c...mp;Login=Ben_LA

[Guest StuCotts]

Adam! Does this forum owe you the participation of an escort of parts who quotes the Economist? (And reads it faster than I do. I hadn't gotten to that article yet.) If ever I thought to enter into a oneupmanship contest with you, I'm vanquished in great disarray far in advance. You are truly master of us all!

Ben, I'm glad to be the first one (I think) to welcome you in writing to our midst. I'm looking forward to your further posts.

[mattgunther]

I read the economist summary and thought it had a good explanation of why escorts refuse to post their rates. Bascially, doing so allows them to charge higher prices to those able to pay more. The study found that whites paid more than blacks and that escorts solicted bids from whites while they made an offer to blacks. The article notes that this kind of behavior is no different from what other businesses engage in (for example, many theaters offer a senior citizen discount).

[AdamSmith]

Stu: What a giveaway! You see why Ben is one of my favorite escort acquaintances in the known world. Last time together, we spent a good twenty minutes chewing over the arcana of some paper we both knew that had been published by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Before moving on to (1) varieties of bush meat, (2) why H. sapiens consumes the milk of cows and goats but not pigs, (3) etc. Where else to find such a brew?

Ben: You rascal! You just derailed all hope of my getting anything useful done today. Your references compel me to restart my efforts to size the North American male escort economy. Expect a spreadsheet soon.

[TotallyOz]

Thanks Ben for the link. Much appreciated. I really learned a great deal off of the file.

Also, hot profile.

[Guest StuCotts]

Stu: What a giveaway! You see why Ben is one of my favorite escort acquaintances in the known world. Last time together, we spent a good twenty minutes chewing over the arcana of some paper we both knew that had been published by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Before moving on to (1) varieties of bush meat, (2) why H. sapiens consumes the milk of cows and goats but not pigs, (3) etc. Where else to find such a brew?

Ben: You rascal! You just derailed all hope of my getting anything useful done today. Your references compel me to restart my efforts to size the North American male escort economy. Expect a spreadsheet soon.

OK. I'll bite. Why does H. sapiens consume those other milks, even those of buffalo and sheep, but not that of pigs?

As to putting together a spreadsheet on that particular economy, better you than me. The lethargy of decrepitude is on me, and limits me to truly uncomplicated tasks.

[lookin]

OK. I'll bite. Why does H. sapiens consume those other milks, even those of buffalo and sheep, but not that of pigs?

What an interesting question! While waiting for Ben and AdamSmith to provide the final answer, I found a few insights on the internet.

The consensus seems to be that pig's milk itself is just as nourishing as cow's milk, but there are a number of barriers to commercial production. First, a sow has fourteen teats to milk, instead of four. Second, once the teat is stimulated and milk starts flowing, it lasts for only fifteen seconds, instead of ten minutes for a cow. And third, pigs are more difficult to restrain than are cows. So, theoretically, if you could build a milking machine that could hang onto the pig, grab hold of fourteen teats, and finish the job in fifteen seconds, we’d be enjoying sow's milk today.

Although if you put lipstick and fishnet stockings on her, a couple of high school freshmen could probably get the job done with smiles all around.

Wouldn’t be kosher though.

[AdamSmith]

lookin, your research puts us to shame. Being away from an Internet connection when the question came up, we did not get farther than, as you said elsewhere, some gedankenexperiments.

Although, later that evening, the experiments went rather beyond gedanken.

Our next symposium could be on koshering bush meat.

[Guest StuCotts]

What an interesting question! While waiting for Ben and AdamSmith to provide the final answer, I found a few insights on the internet.

The consensus seems to be that pig's milk itself is just as nourishing as cow's milk, but there are a number of barriers to commercial production. First, a sow has fourteen teats to milk, instead of four. Second, once the teat is stimulated and milk starts flowing, it lasts for only fifteen seconds, instead of ten minutes for a cow. And third, pigs are more difficult to restrain than are cows. So, theoretically, if you could build a milking machine that could hang onto the pig, grab hold of fourteen teats, and finish the job in fifteen seconds, we’d be enjoying sow's milk today.

Although if you put lipstick and fishnet stockings on her, a couple of high school freshmen could probably get the job done with smiles all around.

Wouldn’t be kosher though.

I have no idea how you came by this exhaustive information, and I'm in awe at the quick efficiency of your research. Thanks for taking the trouble. The next time I'm at a gathering and the conversation lags I'll know exactly how to revive it.

[Guest StuCotts]

lookin, your research puts us to shame. Being away from an Internet connection when the question came up, we did not get farther than, as you said elsewhere, some gedankenexperiments.

Although, later that evening, the experiments went rather beyond gedanken.

Our next symposium could be on koshering bush meat.

Made me think of Paolo and Francesca. I paraphrase: That day we went no further in our reading.

[AdamSmith]

Made me think of Paolo and Francesca. I paraphrase: That day we went no further in our reading.

Stu, I love your ear. (Let people talk!)

But good Christ! Is theirs to be my fate as well? Your post very nearly caused this reaction:

E caddi come corpo morto cade...

[Guest StuCotts]

Stu, I love your ear. (Let people talk!)

But good Christ! Is theirs to be my fate as well? Your post very nearly caused this reaction:

E caddi come corpo morto cade...

Mai e poi mai! Dio non voglia!! Picture anti-hex signs with both hands. My intent was to evoke only the tender portion of the story.

Let them indeed! Until hoarseness prevents.

[AdamSmith]

Mai e poi mai! Dio non voglia!! Picture anti-hex signs with both hands. My intent was to evoke only the tender portion of the story.

Whew! E quindi uscimmo...

[lookin]

You guys are a hoot! I rarely understand the badinage first time out, but always learn a bunch scrambling to catch up. At first I thought Francesca and Paolo cooked polenta at the Olive Garden, but I tracked down who they really were and found a very moving story. Here’s a sommario for any others who aren’t up on their Dante:

Paolo & Francesca were historical contemporaries of Dante. Francesca's father, Guido da Polenta, lord of Ravenna had waged a long war with Malatesta, lord of Rimini. Finally peace was made through intermediaries, and to make it more firm, they decided to cement it with a marriage. Guido would give his beautiful young daughter Francesca in marriage to Gianciotto, eldest son of Malatesta.

Though Gianciotto was very capable and expected to become ruler when his father died, he was ugly and deformed. Guido's friends informed him that if Francesca sees Gianciotto before the marriage, she would never go through with it. So they sent Gianciotto's younger brother Paolo to Ravenna with a full mandate to marry Francesca in Gianciotto's name.

Paolo was a handsome, pleasing, very courteous man, and Francesca fell in love the moment she saw him. The deceptive marriage contract was made, and Francesca went to Rimini. She was not aware of the deception until the morning after the wedding day, when she saw Gianciotto getting up from beside her. When she realized she had been fooled, she became furious.

In any case, the feelings of Paolo and Francesca for each other were still very much alive when Gianciotto went off to a nearby town on business. With almost no fear of suspicion, they became intimate. Gianciotto's servant found them out, and told his master all he knew. Gianciotto returned secretly to Rimini and went to Francesca's room. Since it was bolted from within, he shouted to her and pushed against the door. Paolo and Francesca recognized his voice, and Paolo pointed to a trapdoor that led to a room below. He told Francesca to go open the door as he planned his escape.

As he jumped through, a fold of his jacket got caught on a piece of iron attached to the wood. Francesca had already opened the door for Gianciotto, thinking she would be able to make excuses, now that Paolo was gone. When Gianciotto entered and noticed Paolo caught by his jacket, he ran, rapier in hand, to kill him. Seeing this, Francesca quickly ran between them, to try to prevent it.

But Gianciotto's rapier was already on its way down. Before reaching Paolo, the blade passed through Francesca's bosom. Gianciotto, completely beside himself because of this accident— for he loved the woman more than himself— withdrew the blade, struck Paolo again, and killed him. Leaving them both dead, he left, and returned to his duties.

The next morning, amidst much weeping, the two lovers were buried in the same tomb.

— Charles Singleton, Commentary: Dante's Inferno (1977)

Now, after discovering how nasty a rapier must be, both to wield and to be run through by, I’m left wondering what happened next to Gianciotto. Did he sheath his blade and return to private life? Did he find someone else to share his life with? Or did he perhaps bring us full circle, and take up with the street prostitutes of Rimini?

Earfuls of praise and dinner at the O. G. for anyone willing to share!

[Guest StuCotts]

You guys are a hoot! I rarely understand the badinage first time out, but always learn a bunch scrambling to catch up. At first I thought Francesca and Paolo cooked polenta at the Olive Garden, but I tracked down who they really were and found a very moving story. Here’s a sommario for any others who aren’t up on their Dante:

Paolo & Francesca were historical contemporaries of Dante. Francesca's father, Guido da Polenta, lord of Ravenna had waged a long war with Malatesta, lord of Rimini. Finally peace was made through intermediaries, and to make it more firm, they decided to cement it with a marriage. Guido would give his beautiful young daughter Francesca in marriage to Gianciotto, eldest son of Malatesta.

Though Gianciotto was very capable and expected to become ruler when his father died, he was ugly and deformed. Guido's friends informed him that if Francesca sees Gianciotto before the marriage, she would never go through with it. So they sent Gianciotto's younger brother Paolo to Ravenna with a full mandate to marry Francesca in Gianciotto's name.

Paolo was a handsome, pleasing, very courteous man, and Francesca fell in love the moment she saw him. The deceptive marriage contract was made, and Francesca went to Rimini. She was not aware of the deception until the morning after the wedding day, when she saw Gianciotto getting up from beside her. When she realized she had been fooled, she became furious.

In any case, the feelings of Paolo and Francesca for each other were still very much alive when Gianciotto went off to a nearby town on business. With almost no fear of suspicion, they became intimate. Gianciotto's servant found them out, and told his master all he knew. Gianciotto returned secretly to Rimini and went to Francesca's room. Since it was bolted from within, he shouted to her and pushed against the door. Paolo and Francesca recognized his voice, and Paolo pointed to a trapdoor that led to a room below. He told Francesca to go open the door as he planned his escape.

As he jumped through, a fold of his jacket got caught on a piece of iron attached to the wood. Francesca had already opened the door for Gianciotto, thinking she would be able to make excuses, now that Paolo was gone. When Gianciotto entered and noticed Paolo caught by his jacket, he ran, rapier in hand, to kill him. Seeing this, Francesca quickly ran between them, to try to prevent it.

But Gianciotto's rapier was already on its way down. Before reaching Paolo, the blade passed through Francesca's bosom. Gianciotto, completely beside himself because of this accident— for he loved the woman more than himself— withdrew the blade, struck Paolo again, and killed him. Leaving them both dead, he left, and returned to his duties.

The next morning, amidst much weeping, the two lovers were buried in the same tomb.

— Charles Singleton, Commentary: Dante's Inferno (1977)

Now, after discovering how nasty a rapier must be, both to wield and to be run through by, I’m left wondering what happened next to Gianciotto. Did he sheath his blade and return to private life? Did he find someone else to share his life with? Or did he perhaps bring us full circle, and take up with the street prostitutes of Rimini?

Earfuls of praise and dinner at the O. G. for anyone willing to share!

All I know about Gianciotto is that after doing in his wife and brother in 1285 he lived until 1304. No idea of the kind of life he led during that interim. He was said to love his wife passionately, so I assume there was some unhappiness. Sorry I can't be more informative. Looks like it will fall to somebody else to cash in on that dinner.

Tangentially, nobody enjoys my exchanges with Adam more than I do. They are completely self-indulgent. As such I see them as a good in themselves. In the manner of an addict, I may wonder now and then if they don't try people's patience, but don't let that thought deter me. Therefore, it's highly gratifying to learn that somebody else views them with a more tolerant feeling than that of irritation.

[AdamSmith]

nobody enjoys my exchanges with Adam more than I do.

...except possibly Adam.

They are completely self-indulgent. As such I see them as a good in themselves.

After mine own heart!

...Mere repetitions.These things at least comprise

An occupation, an exercise, a work,

A thing final in itself and, therefore, good:

One of the vast repetitions final in

Themselves and, therefore, good, the going round

And round and round, the merely going round,

Until merely going round is a final good,

The way wine comes at a table in a wood.

And we enjoy like men, the way a leaf

Above the table spins its constant spin,

So that we look at it with pleasure, look

At it spinning its eccentric measure. Perhaps

The man-hero is not the exceptional monster,

But he that of repetition is most master.

http://home.earthlink.net/~scofield99/data...otesSupreme.htm

[Guest BenLA]

Stu: Thanks for the welcome. I've actually been around for a while, but rarely have a gem like this to post.

Adam: I expect that spreadsheet on my desk by Monday!

Oz: I'm glad you found the kink informative. Bit if dry read, though, wasn't it? I'm glad you liked my profile, too!

[Guest BenLA]

The consensus seems to be that pig's milk itself is just as nourishing as cow's milk, but there are a number of barriers to commercial production. First, a sow has fourteen teats to milk, instead of four. Second, once the teat is stimulated and milk starts flowing, it lasts for only fifteen seconds, instead of ten minutes for a cow. And third, pigs are more difficult to restrain than are cows. So, theoretically, if you could build a milking machine that could hang onto the pig, grab hold of fourteen teats, and finish the job in fifteen seconds, we’d be enjoying sow's milk today.

Adam and I considered this explanation in between swapping bush meat recipes, and decided it didn't hold water. While a cow or other domesticated milk-producing animal may have relatively more nutritious milk(and more of it) and may be easier to milk, these traits have been bred into it. So why didn't ancient farmers breed strains of pig for better milk production?

[TownsendPLocke]

Did you ever get your beer last night?

[lookin]

While a cow or other domesticated milk-producing animal may have relatively more nutritious milk(and more of it) and may be easier to milk, these traits have been bred into it. So why didn't ancient farmers breed strains of pig for better milk production?

Pending your next symposium with AdamSmith, I’ll guess it has something to do with economics. In addition to the differences mentioned above, a sow cannot become pregnant while lactating, as a cow can, so you’d have to choose between milk and piglets. With a cow, you can have your milk and breed it too.

Could an ancient farmer have bred a laid back sow with fewer, larger, more free-flowing teats, and made her perpetually horny? Beats me, but stranger things have happened.

Montana Hooker, ca. 1975

[Guest StuCotts]

Aside from mechanical considerations, has anybody ever actually sampled pig's milk? Maybe it tastes bad. Each of the milks I'm familiar with has its own taste and character. You can't mistake goat's for buffalo's, etc. Processing can minimize the individual character, but not eliminate it. Goat's milk tastes more or less as goats smell. If pig's milk tastes more or less as pigs smell, maybe there's no way to make it acceptable.

The thought is a great appetite suppressant. Maybe even an effective emetic. I'm so glad I had it before breakfast rather than after.

[AdamSmith]

Adam: I expect that spreadsheet on my desk by Monday!

Jawohl, Herr Doktor Professor!

These notions of B&D in the akademy must be pursued more fully. Have you a riding crop?

Oz: I'm glad you found the kink informative.

[TotallyOz]

Adam, I always find the kink Informative.

[AdamSmith]

a sow cannot become pregnant while lactating, as a cow can, so you’d have to choose between milk and piglets. With a cow, you can have your milk and breed it too.

You are, again, a fund. Having the facts makes all so clear.

Could an ancient farmer have bred a laid back sow with fewer, larger, more free-flowing teats, and made her perpetually horny?

In the north of England, they make endless jokes about the southern Scottish hillsides being populated by blue-eyed sheep.

[AdamSmith]

Goat's milk tastes more or less as goats smell. If pig's milk tastes more or less as pigs smell, maybe there's no way to make it acceptable.

If humans can acquire a taste for goat's milk, I think they can stomach anything. My S.O. adores goat's-milk yogurt; I have to leave the room.

There must be a Jared Diamond book to be written on this. The Sow's Teat.

Or is that a pub in Hoxton & Shoreditch?