Economics Quote by John Brockman
““Kakonomics (from the Greek, the economics of the worst) describes cases wherein people not only have the standard preference for receiving high-quality goods and delivering low-quality goods (the standard sucker’s payoff) but actually prefer to deliver a low-quality product and receive a low-quality one: that is, they connive on a low-low exchange.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Book of Why, John Brockman, 2015
People sometimes enjoy mutually poor outcomes, preferring low quality both giving and receiving, highlighting a paradox in human preferences.
In simple terms: People can like both sides being bad.
Key Takeaway
Recognize when low‑low choices are driven by spite or boredom.
Themes
human behavior
economics
paradox
preferences
Mood
ircurious
analytical
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- Negotiations
- market behavior
- team collaborations
Key Concepts
Game theory
psychology
social dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- Why would someone choose a low‑low exchange?
- What social factors encourage this behavior?
A Different Perspective
May ignore long‑term benefits of higher quality.
