
In "The Price of Everything," economist Russell Roberts unveils how market forces create prosperity through an engaging parable. Nobel laureate Vernon Smith calls it a demonstration of "human betterment through spontaneous coordination" - a book Paul Romer claims could "change your life."
Ressentez le livre à travers la voix de l'auteur
Transformez les connaissances en idées captivantes et riches en exemples
Capturez les idées clés en un éclair pour un apprentissage rapide
Profitez du livre de manière ludique et engageante
What happens when a natural disaster strikes and suddenly flashlights cost twice as much? Is this price gouging immoral or serving a hidden purpose? These questions form the heart of "The Price of Everything," where we meet Ramon Fernandez, a Cuban-American tennis star at Stanford, and economics professor Ruth Lieber. Through their conversations following a Bay Area earthquake, we discover how prices orchestrate our complex world without a conductor. When Ramon witnesses a Big Box store doubling prices after the disaster, his sense of justice is offended. The scene of a young mother unable to afford diapers triggers memories of his own mother's struggles after fleeing Cuba. Yet this moral outrage becomes the catalyst for a deeper exploration of how markets function beyond our immediate perceptions. The earthquake plunges the Bay Area into darkness, and Ramon finds himself at a Big Box store with doubled prices. Water bottles normally $4.99 now cost $9.98. Flashlights that were $12.99 are marked $25.98. Outside, angry customers protest what they see as exploitation. Inside, Ramon notices Maria, a Spanish-speaking mother counting insufficient dollars for diapers and formula while her infant cries. Using his status as a Stanford athlete, he collects donations from other customers, then grabs an abandoned megaphone and shares his family's immigration story, organizing the crowd to document the price increases and file complaints. But later, Professor Ruth challenges his assumptions. "When prices rise after a disaster," she explains, "they're actually sending crucial signals. Higher prices discourage hoarding and ensure resources reach those who need them most." She describes how price controls during the 1970s energy crisis created gas shortages, with people sleeping in cars overnight waiting for fuel. This tension - between our moral intuition that raising prices during emergencies feels wrong and the economic reality that price signals help allocate scarce resources efficiently - reveals how markets often work in counterintuitive ways.
Décomposez les idées clés de The Price of Everything en points faciles à comprendre pour découvrir comment les équipes innovantes créent, collaborent et grandissent.
Condensez The Price of Everything en indices de mémoire rapides mettant en évidence les principes clés de franchise, de travail d'équipe et de résilience créative.

Découvrez The Price of Everything à travers des récits vivants qui transforment les leçons d'innovation en moments mémorables et applicables.
Posez n'importe quelle question, choisissez la voix et co-créez des idées qui résonnent vraiment avec vous.

Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
Cree par des anciens de Columbia University a San Francisco

Obtenez le resume de The Price of Everything en PDF ou EPUB gratuit. Imprimez-le ou lisez-le hors ligne a tout moment.