Hello fellow Misesians,
I’ve been meaning for a while now to produce a liberty-centric video series, told through the medium of “brickfilms” (stop-motion using LEGO and similar toys; you can search the term in youtube for examples, with one of my own works here). I have decided to make the first episode an explication of the function of saving and economic growth, presented in rhyme. The following is just a first draft, but before I do any rewrites, I want to make sure whatever economic arguments are embedded in the prose are sound. Though suggestions as to improving the narrative or prettying up the wording are welcome.
Of particular note is the image of a “pile of wealth,” which in the video will represent all goods produced in an economy. It begins as the farmer’s pile of surplus food, which he trades to his neighbor for the creation of a consumption good (a hat). He then saves up a second time so as to sustain himself and several others while building a capital good (a tractor… it’s supposed to be absurd and funny, OK!). The video then mostly stays on a single shot, as we ‘fast-forward’ and the pile grows larger as capital accumulates and the economy expands. We will see an entrepreneur remove a whole bunch of savings from the pile and distribute it to workers, and then immediately add even more to the pile, illustrating the capitalist’s sacrifice and contribution to the economy. We will also see a worker add “$4” (4 bricks) to the pile, but only consuming $2; the idea being that, even if he hoards the saved money instead of investing it, he has already produced a good or service for others. If he does not consume the $2 worth of consumption goods he is owed, that is just more for the rest of us, and prices fall.
I want to make sure this illustration is not potentially misleading, or simply inaccurate.
And, as a brand spanking new idea, I’m considering writing a “Study Guide” to go along with the video, to elaborate upon the lessons mentioned above and explain them for those who miss them all. Perhaps a small, two to three page PDF, including a few quotes and a relevant bibliography. Should I go through with this idea, I may again seek constructive input.
Enough of my quasi-sober ranting; on to the glorious narration!
EDIT: Copying/pasting results in a mess, so I drew up a quick PDF. Ignore pages 2 and 3, obviously.
