- Struther
The struther is a unit of virtual currency equal to the cost of supporting one baby for five years.
History
The struther unit of currency is based on the fact that anything can be used a a medium of exchange.
Gold has been a traditional currency. Other types of currency have been proposed, including bandwidth [ [http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/08/29/tech-bandwidth.html?e Researchers push internet bandwidth as 'currency'] ] . The struther was conceived to highlight the trade-offs and social costs in various economic pursuits. Hence, rather than saying that anSUV costs $20,000 it can be said that an SUV costs 10 struthers. This highlights the fact that one SUV has a social cost of ten dead babies.The name struthers was chosen based on the TV commercials of TV actress Sally Struthers, who was advertised heavily on cable and late-night television. The commercials were for the
Christian Children's Fund , advocating on behalf of impoverished children indeveloping countries , mainly inAfrica . At that time Miss Struthers would importune viewers for a few dollars a month in order to keep a starving child alive.Exchange rate
Recent commercials for similar charities now request a contribution of $33 US dollars per month in order to support the life of one baby. Although there may be some contention as to when a baby becomes a child, an age of 5 years old is considered reasonable. This pegs the current exchange rate for one struther as $1980 US dollars.
Symbol
The symbol used to denote struthers is 'S'. The single quote marks around the "S" represent tears. A cost of 46 struthers can be written 'S'46.
Usage
Usage of the struther is intended to highlight the social costs of economic decisions made by consumers or a business. Therefor one could say: "Did you know that the fur coat you bought your wife cost 12 struthers?" Similarly it could be said that "Exxon Mobil Corporation's third quarter profit for 2005 is over 4,6 million struthers". Usage can also highlight the futility of dubious green technologies such as hybrid cars, whose lack of gasoline savings under typical American drive cycles implies a cost of 2 struthers for the added price of the batteries and electronics. Similarly, home solar electric installations can far exceed the savings from electric bills, and can often cost upward of 30 struthers when contrasted to the lost opportunity cost of these expensive installations.
Notes
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