One of the things I’ve found disturbing lately in the realm of science fiction is the lack of solid economics. The most recent example I’ve come across is the tessera in The Hunger Games. The concept behind the Tessera is that by entering your name more than the mandatory 1 time in the annual Hunger Games drawing, an individual is given the minimum amount of grain and oil necessary to survive for one person for one year.
Many of the poverty stricken enter multiple times to provide for their families. On the year Prim is selected Gale is mentioned at having entered 42 times. Katniss had entered 3. How is this a problem? Well, there’s a set amount of grain and oil given for each additional tesserae taken. That number is unchanging. Therefore there is no room for the effects of inflation. Surely that means that grain and oil are likely begin to be used as a form of currency rather than survival rations and inflation would work itself out appropriately in the marketplace. But as far as the effect of each entrance upon the rations provided by the Capitol, it doesn’t make sense that someone like Gale, who enters 42 times, doesn’t negatively affect the value of a tessera. Otherwise, why would the members of District 12 not simply come together and each enter an agreed upon amount of times, keeping, “the odds ever in their favor” while providing copious grain and oil ad infinitum?
Also, don’t cry to me and tell me that it’s juvenile fiction and we shouldn’t concern ourselves with such things. Even DuckTales gave a great lesson on inflation to children:
Here’s a second video added for sheer cracked out offensiveness. To be honest, I have no idea what is going on here. Very not safe for work:
