Structural Unemployment: Posner

The term “structural employment” means high unemployment that persists through the business cycle, rather than being high only during economic downturns, and so is likely to reflect features of the structure of the economy. Structural economy was a characteristic of the post-World War I British economy. Keynes explained it as the consequence of an overvalued pound, which by making British exports very expensive reduced exports and hence employment in production for export, and by making imports cheap reduced the consumption of domestic products and hence the producers’ demand for workers. Demand for labor was so weak that the going wage for many workers was lower than their unemployment benefits. There were also impediments to relocating from geographical areas of high to low unemployment within England; Becker points out that the depression in our housing market complicates relocation to low-unemployment areas in this country.

Unemployment in the United States rose rapidly beginning in the fall of 2008, and it remains abnormally high three years later. Since the economy is still in the doldrums, it is hard to tell whether the abnormal unemployment rate is structural—in which event it may be the “new normal”—or whether it is cyclical. Another complicating factor, emphasized by Becker, is the extension of unemployment benefits to almost two years. Unemployed persons often wait until their benefits are about to expire before they undertake a serious search for a new job, though my guess is that the longer the benefits period, the less the delay in job search; the worker worries about the erosion of his job skills and becomes financially pressed because unemployment benefits are lower than wages. 

Although it is premature to say that we have a problem of structural unemployment, it may also be premature to say that we do not. The financial crash and ensuing global economic crisis was a business-cycle phenomenon, but a crisis of such magnitude can bring about or be correlated with or highlight a structural change in the economy. The most inclusive measure of the U.S. unemployment rate—what is called U-6 and includes discouraged and involuntarily underemployed workers as well as unemployed ones looking for jobs (unemployment in the narrow sense)—has risen from a shade above 7 percent in 2000 to a shade above 16 percent at present. True, it fell sharply between 2004 and 2007, but those were years in which the economy was artificially pumped up by massive cheap borrowing interacting with deep tax cuts. Without the tax cuts and the cheap borrowing, and without a recession (more realistically, a depression), there might have been steadily increasing rather than irregularly  increasing unemployment over the last eleven years. 

The economic crisis is related to, and may have accelerated, trends that could create structural unemployment. One trend is increased competitiveness of foreign producers, resulting in Americans’ substitution of cheap imports for domestic products (and hence domestic production and therefore domestic employment), and in a reduction in exports. This is the same combination that caused or at least contributed to the structural unemployment in the U.K. that I mentioned. The severe ongoing economic crisis in Europe has also reduced demand for U.S. exports. And it is difficult for the U.S. to devalue its way to increased exports and reduced imports because of the role of the U.S. dollar as the principal international reserve currency. 

A related trend, also adverse to U.S. employment, is the decline in educational performance of American students relative to students in other countries. Furthermore, quite apart from the minimum wage and lengthy and generous unemployment benefits, American workers are expensive to employers because of workers’ legal rights and the extensive regulation of workplace safety. The costliness of these rights and regulations leads American companies to relocate as much of their production abroad as they can and accelerates the substitution of capital for labor inputs into production—and much of that capital equipment is produced with few workers. 

Persistent unemployment can feed on itself, because the unemployed have lower incomes and so spend less on consumption (and consumption drives production and therefore employment), and because the long-term unemployed lose skills. And if the pattern of employment shifts, many workers discover that they have not been trained for the types of work in which there are jobs. 

If all public benefits for the poor were abolished, along with unions, unemployment benefits, the minimum wage, and regulations of workplace conditions, the going wage would plummet and unemployment would fall. But as such draconian measures are not in the cards, we have to worry about the possibility of structural employment and think of civilized ways of heading it off.

Comments

[Asics Shoes]

A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else.

[Private Money Exchange]

Private Money Exchange is Networked with Strategic Partners All Over the United States

[Paul Smith]

Merci beaucoup pour votre article.

[Medigap Tips]

Structural unemployment is a form of unemployment resulting from a mismatch between demand in the labour market and the skills and locations of the workers seeking employment. Even though the number of vacancies may be equal to, or greater than, the number of the unemployed, the unemployed workers may lack the skills needed for the jobs; or they may not live in the part of the country or world where the jobs are available. And this type of unemployment is generally difficult to abolish.

[cheap nike air max]

economic downturns, and so is likely to reflect features of the structure of the economy. Structural economy was a characteristic of the post-World War I British economy. Keynes explained it as the consequence of an overvalued pound, which by making British exports very expensive reduced exports and hence employment in production for export, and by making imports cheap reduced the consumption of domestic products and hence the producers’ demand for workers. Demand

[cheap nike air max]

doldrums, it is hard to tell whether the abnormal unemployment rate is structural—in which event it may be the “new normal”—or whether

[vibram five fingers outlet]

Is Fear of Failure Holding You Back?
Rose, Rose, I love you with an aching heart.
By yzi11, wo ai ni, ni shi meigui

[New Era MLB Hats]

I couldn't agree more. For the postal service to survive,it needs to be privatized. Kudos for a great article!

[Beats Monster Headphones]

One thing that we need to clarify is our terminology in this debate.

[Cheap Air Max 2010]

I agree. But the question is the time frame.

[hermes birkin replica]

Thanks a lot for sharing this. I have never thought that surfing online can be so much beneficial and entertained in a good shape. I feel really happy and grateful for providing me with such priceless sound track. All are good here simply best. I want such article again and again

[franklin and marshall]

todo se reduce a su estilo personal. Elegir un estilo de zapato de cu?a que funciona mejor con tu vestuario. Esto podría significar elegir entre clásicos, dise?os clásicos, contemporáneos, o direccional.

[oivhuqiiu]

more leisure time and industries developing around increased leisure time coupled with the income to enjoy it.

[Florida Marlins Hats]

I just got a blog and wanted to say that I really enjoy reading your blog to share with us the point of the article, I find this information in a long time. And it was the best, and much more. Once the visitor the impression of Back to the blog, I am. I have found many informative articles. Keep it up. The post is pretty interesting. I really never thought I could have a good read by this time until I found out this site. I am grateful for the information given. Thank you for being so generous enough to have shared your knowledge with us.

[cheap new era hats]

This is now were invented to beard cap, a first down just pop hat. The hat design inspiration from his beard get, we have to admire the designers of those ideas and inspiration, let we can very good enjoy so convenient, powerful hat. Can let we think a little use no, even people feel vexed and abhor beard had such a big use.

[Bikinis 2012]

Bikinis Sale should strive to do when peace in Chinese and talking to, Bikinis Online let the examiner feel natural and comfortable. The so-called natural, Bikinis Swimwear is fluent. Wholesale Bikini is don't complete. For the title of the English q&a, Sinful Bikini suggested that the candidates with the most simple expressions out the basics of content.Ralph Lauren Bikini examinee should avoid to use partial, Bikini 2011 difficult and strange uncommon words

[unemployment]

unemployment problem is a great problem in any country.This blog is so so helpful to work less people.I found this cool Out of Work parody to Katy Perry's Firework. Can't decide if it makes me feel better or worse about being out of work.

[Fesseand]

[url=http://dressnice23.blog.fc2blog.net/blog-entry-4.html]http://dressnice23.blog.fc2blog.net/[/url] online
2012 heisse Entwicklung seitens Dunkel weiterhin Weiß, Hoch-zeit, Hoch-zeit Bunte, farbenfrohe Hoch-zeit, Hochzeitsfotografie ist natürlich immerzu gemach weiterhin fein denn diese eine, Orchidee blüht, dieses Schwarz-Weiß-Hochzeit ist natürlich, können unsereins bespitzeln jede Hoch-zeit besitzen diese eine, Vielzahl von seiten Farbstr?hnchen, dunkel darüber hinaus weiß Hoch-zeit ist natürlich entfernt trampelpfad von seiten dir, dagegen sofern unsereins bespitzeln, dies Mama ferner Papa welche Schwarz-Weiß-Hochzeit ist natürlich dieses real? 2012 Schwarz-Weiß-Hochzeit ist natürlich nachdem jener Arbeitszeit fegt? Jene u.u. bei weitem nicht kenntnisstand, ebendiese Welche person ist natürlich dies Mädchen, jedoch mein bin mein wahrscheinlich, auch du, jene ist ausgesprochen schön. Herrliche Farbstr?hnchen, vermag lediglich dieses einziges Dunkel ferner Weiß in der nahen Punkt, diesen Kopf abgeschlossen offenbaren, darüber hinaus das ist natürlich alle klassische Hoch-zeit. Können Jene erraten, welches meines ermessens sind niemals Typ abgeschlossen erraten, ob welches wo schlie?lich draußen, darf dieses bei weitem nicht leugnen, für den fall das diese eine, klassische Hoch-zeit ist natürlich. Sanfte Heldin ferner jener schöne Artisten warm See, jede Selbstverst?ndlich abgeschlossen zwingenden Augen schaffen. Welche schönste Verknüpfung piet?tlos weiß weiterhin grau, welche Augen dieser Braut ist natürlich jener alleinige dunkel herauf deinem Schnappschuss, dies geheimnisvolle, schöne Braut unvergesslich. Unerschwinglich: chinesische Hoch-zeit Netzwerk
2012 Frühjahr darüber hinaus Warme jahreszeit vermag fürderhin jede Erde dieser populaeren Geil (umgangssprachlich) Diamant fegte
Welches ist natürlich Mode? Meines ermessens, für den fall Mode diese eine, Weltsicht ist natürlich, niemals Befürchtung bevor deinem Markennamen, prüfen, ingeni?s abgeschlossen dies. Jede übertriebene T?nung oder aber Outfit dies darf, lächerlich abgeschlossen schaffen dir gegenseitig mit sicherheit wiedergeben, dies ist natürlich alle Mode-, Geil (umgangssprachlich) gem?? vielen, unabhängig von seiten T?nung oder aber Design-Stil ist natürlich zweifellos gierig. Gemma Redux 2012 Frühling ferner Warme jahreszeit Armbänder
2012 dieser beliebteste Stil jener Hoch-zeit Jedes Jahr sind viele Hoch-zeit Stil bejubelt seitens welchen Unmengen, gelegentlich Kerzenlicht Hoch-zeit immerzu bekannter, während zeitweilig Rasenplatz Hoch-zeit allerdings zig Personen angezogen, mit der absicht vom Frühjahr 2012, möchte in der nahen Mode heuer kenntnisstand, ebendiese Benehmen seitens Hoch-zeit Stil? Via fallen weiterhin bemerken. Welche Übertreibung dieser edlen Luxus-Mode Hoch-zeit Französisch Königreich Frankreich, des weiteren setzte dies Gericht Kunst ist natürlich au?erordentlich, süß darüber hinaus atemberaubend Spieleinsatz seitens T?nung zu gunsten von diese eine, Hoch-zeit bereits diese eine, Kunst. Das ist natürlich im besonderen piet?tlos deinem 19. Jahrhundert Französisch Hofkunst Hoch-zeit Stil. Hingegen Rokoko in keiner weise vollständig mit welchen Palast-Modus beschränkt, welche Hoch-zeit Atmosphäre bedeutend angenehm des weiteren kostenfrei ist natürlich, behält noch dazu welche kunstvollen darüber hinaus feinen Stil. Ebendiese Benehmen seitens Übertragung Hoch-zeit haben sich verpflichtet den wunderschönen Requisiten via deinem Unterfangen gem?? romantisch weiterhin süß visuelle Effekte innehaben. Böhmische Hoch-zeit abgeschlossen machen, diese eine, Geldbuße zusätzlich abgeschlossen empfohlenen Hoch-zeit böhmischen Stil, dieser Zeitintervall, mit welchen Eigenschaften dieser Inseln jenes südostasiatischen ethnische Bräuche des weiteren kulturellen Gout getuned. Ist natürlich ausgesprochen kalt, augenf?llig herauf jener Hoch-zeit Dekorationen darüber hinaus Requisiten, vollen Auswertung von seiten Holz des weiteren anderen natürlichen Elemente jener Ausschmückung abgeschlossen abgeben. Mit der absicht jener Punkt das, ratsamer kontrollieren alle Südost-Asien, Ethno-Stil, jede heisse Kleiderordnung augenf?llig ist natürlich ausgesprochen speziell, wählen Jene welchen seidigen Droge. Vielfältige Lichteffekte, via goldenen Tapeten, dieses Vorgefühl von seiten Geaase, bei weitem nicht Worte. Rattan weiterhin Bambus verziert Elemente beinhalten diese eine, breitere 80 Selbstverst?ndlich koreanische Hoch-zeit, koreanische Hoch-zeit scheint seitens Leuten denn betroffen gewesen, mein denke, dies ist natürlich vom koreanischen Stil Hoch-zeit ist natürlich der letzte schrei (umgangssprachlich) darüber hinaus schön, plädierte zu gunsten von diese eine, einfache romantisch, steht au?erdem gemeinschaftlich via welchen Eigenschaften jener post-80, in keiner weise künstlich, situation Jene dieses. (Edit: Martin)
2012 heisse Chanel Geil (umgangssprachlich), alle Die Augen funkeln Mein wertauffassung, für den fall jedweder seitens dieser Schönheit dieser Mädchen mit der absicht dieses einzelnes Artikel Chanel bestimmen aneignen, ist natürlich diese eine, klassische private Union Mode immerzu NO. 8 fünfte Parfüm, oder aber ist natürlich dieses dieses Schmuckstück? In diesem fall vermag Chennai Kinder vom Jahr 2012 heisse Schmuck-Kollektion, beschatten jede funkeln deine Augen. 2012 Chanel Geil (umgangssprachlich) Heisse, dies Die Augen funkeln Swept Valentinstag 2012 herzförmige Diamant-Ring
Menschenleer m?gen mehrere Bräute wählen Jene welche Diamant-Ring Diamant Windung, herzförmigen Diamanten Windung ist natürlich darüber hinaus dieses Vorgefühl dieser puren Selbstverst?ndlich darf in keiner weise dies, welches diese eine, wunderschöne T?nung dies, noch dazu, als hochpreisig Revidieren, statt dessen diese eine, innovative jemand echt massenhaft, um eine Braut abgeschlossen akkumulieren, vom Kopf. Alle folgende Xiaobian besitzen manche schöne herzförmige Ehering, mit der absicht Solchen frauen diese eine, Braut Deftig für Augen. Brides ausstellen herzförmigen Ehering zusammentreffen. 2012 herzförmige Diamant-Ring fegte welchen Valentinstag 2012 herzförmige Diamant-Ring gefegt Unerschwinglich zu ihrem Valentinstag 2012 herzförmige Diamant-Ring gefegt Valentinstag: chinesische Hoch-zeit Netzwerk
2012 Valentinstag Pr?sent Diamant
Echte Selbstverst?ndlich vermag niemals abfallen unproblematisch denn alle Arbeitszeit vergeht, vom Gegenteil, gem?? J?hrchen dieser Schnitzarbeit, statt dessen pr?sentiert darüber hinaus die kostbaren. Denn funkelnde Diamanten denn Emblem für schönen weißen makellosen Selbstverst?ndlich. Zeitpunkt in der nahen zukünftigen Valentinstag, sind immer wieder Jene gestiefelt und gespornt, Die Selbstverst?ndlich abgeschlossen darbieten, mit der absicht den Diamanten Pr?sent beordern Solchen frauen? Gem?? Xiaobian gestiefelt und gespornt, Solchen frauen manche die besten Diamanten Check it out! De Beers Promise18 Windung heisse Promise18 Diamant-Ring-, bi-Verriegelung, 0, 19 Karat partie Diamanten via zwei Krallen Intarsien mit Hand poliert Platinring mit der absicht sicherzustellen, für den fall jede erste Rechnungsprüfung Aufbau. Pavé Diamanten nur Platin ferner Gold Ringe uff (berlinerisch) jedwedem Jeton, alle s?mtliche über dies Mosaik von seiten Mikro-Set-Methode, via von glatten Platin vom Widerstreit zu ihrem vollständig ausgeschaltet De Beers, dieser zentrale Partie bombastisch geschnitten Diamant. Dieser helle Gefüge jenes innovativen Stil nur krassem Widerstreit abgeschlossen dieser vielmehr traditionelle Atmosphäre dieser geschwungenen Kanten abgeschlossen Promise18 Vorzeichen geworden. De Beers, dieser Talisman, diese eine, Verknüpfung piet?tlos natürlichen Rohdiamanten stieg Partie bombastisch Turner weiterhin klassischen Turner weißen Diamanten ferner Colorful Diamond-, Platinum-Ring in der nahen Entstehung jenes gegenseitig verändernden Konzern, im gro?en und ganzen 2, 3 kt, Halbwertsbreite von seiten 59 Karat Weißgold, Windung, Windung verglichen via 0, 8 Karat. Von jener Höhepunkte jener Talisman-Reihe hinsichtlich Outfit ist natürlich alle natürliche Rohdiamanten weiterhin geschliffenen Diamanten Qualitäten einzigartige Verknüpfung piet?tlos solchen natürlichen Rohdiamanten nur 1000, lediglich dieses Diamant durch seiner einmaligen schönen Qualitäten, ehe jene ausgewählt. Dieses geschickter Handwerker, alle Verkörperung jener feinen, innovativen, weiblichen Schmuck-Boutique. Tiffany Bezet Mythen, welche neue Satz seitens Schaffen, welche Inanspruchnahme seitens herzförmigen, birnenförmig, praktisch Rautenform Status jener Tradition eigehüllt Mosaik-Design, des weiteren die gleich lange zeitspanne in anspruch nehmend offerieren sehr wohl auf die Bedürfnisse jener Personen darüber hinaus trendy klassizistischen. Eigehüllt seitens dieser Beschaffenheit jenes Mosaik-Design näher fuer alle Hand, mit der absicht welchen Profil jenes Diamanten herum abgeschlossen schließen, Betonung jener Rautenform des weiteren Schönheit. Welche Bezet einmalig gestartet, gleich strahlt diese eine, charmante low-key, dagegen unaussprechlichen Helligkeit - womit gegenseitig in der nahen ruhigen sein Yiu Erde abgeschlossen erleuchten. Tiffany Legacy hilft, nachdem dieses Entstehen jenes 19. Jahrhunderts klassische Sammlung seitens Gemälden angefeuert, Erinnerungen fuer jede Französisch Belle Epoque Standard antreiben. Kissen-förmigen Haarschnitt (Tiffany-Patent) weiterhin mit welche umgebende Mosaik Perlen geringen Bohrger?t, voll von weiblicher Schönheit des weiteren romantische Atmosphäre. Jener Diamantring-Effekt ist natürlich ph?nomenal, vermag alle Augen dieser Leuten Diamant kaleidoskopischen Kaskade Schnittfläche angezogen weiterhin in der nahen Punkt, gegenseitig wohl abgeschlossen freik?mpfen. Legacy war wunderbarer Widerrede - weit darüber hinaus verträumt, voll von Begeisterung, ausstellen dagegen bedauerlicherweise, als piet?tlos von anderen Ära, jedoch geliebten vom frischen Jahrhundert abgeschlossen stattlich. Sehr teure Diamant-Schmuck ist natürlich in keiner weise alleinig beleuchtet alle Livesex girls von seiten edler Hausaufgabe, darüber hinaus dieser unendlichen Anmut jener hoeheren Gefühle jenes Rings zu gunsten von Livesex girls (Tracy: Linda)! |

[MLB Jerseys]

Between now and then, no one else will care much about how many jerseys he sells, about how far he surpasses Bryant on the NBA’s list in 2011

[wholesale nfl jerseys]

Since the 1970s, Holland has also been the nation of dazzlingly stylish football and bright orange jerseys

[Essay Writing]

Writing quality Essay is an art, That need lots of research in different topics after a good research writer shows his thoughts by clear words. Good Vocabulary and phrases show the existence of writer in his work that is what a writer ever dream for.

[zhengmeizhu]

"Do you remember the essentials of 'uphill start'." Http://www.wikihorseworld.com/community/blogs/entry/Roger-Federer-Must-Overcome-Disappointing-Olympic-Singles-Record-for-Gold- in-London

"I remember, but I strictly in accordance with the essentials to do, still without success." I feel very unfortunate. http://www.wikihorseworld.com/community/blogs/entry/South-Sudan-Looks-Ahead-After-Rough-First-Year

"Be confident, then go all out. If this concept, any thing nine out of ten can be successful (Wilson). This sentence you should have heard it." Foot brake board shift from the Vice opened, and try again. "

http://www.clubchat.nl/member/blog_post_view.php?postId=51389
This is the period and instructors to learn to drive up to the time, his words made my heart light, http://www.clubchat.nl/member/blog_post_view.php?postId=51381
Also let me know the truth - clearly understand their own know-how of things, why do not you believe in yourself? If a perfect theory, http://www.clubchat.nl/member/blog_post_view.php?postId=51374
You put it back in verse, but not the confidence to put into practice, then what use is it?

http://vidsubmit.com/blogs/entry/Preview-Are-These-The-Richest-Strikers-On-The-Planet-Norway-Oil-Shutdown-Looms-Amid-Worker-Dispute
Successfully get a driver's license, I have been engaged for some time driving duties.

One day, my colleagues and I loaded a car of coal shipped to Foshan, the car broke down halfway. The reason is that car parking brake can not be lifted, the vehicle rear wheel for a long time in a braking state, http://vidsubmit.com/blogs/entry/Roger-Federer-Must-Overcome-Disappointing-Olympic-Singles- Record-for-Gold-in-London
Could not move. Based on past experience, the rear wheel parking brake system will soon be lifted, new problems came after brake failure.

http://vidsubmit.com/blogs/entry/South-Sudan-Looks-Ahead-After-Rough-First-Year
My colleagues and I recite the turn, always check from noon to dark, we still do nothing, nor find out what clue. http://mangakamagazine.com/dolph/blogs/entry/Olympic-Committee-Warns-Iran-Keep-Hands-Off-Sports-Bodies
Braking system from start to finish checks again, http://mangakamagazine.com/dolph/blogs/entry/Mobile-Phone-Surveillance-by-Police-Targets-Millions-Annually
And then from the tail head and reviewed again, still confused. We was a little discouraged.

[zhengmeizhu]

Because it coincides with the summer, the temperature is high. http://mangakamagazine.com/dolph/blogs/entry/Feds-Offer-1-Million-Reward-for-Alleged-Fast-and-Furious-Killers
We start the engine, open the air conditioning system, and intend to cool for a longer work. After ten minutes, I suddenly heard a "pop" sound, http://datingxite.com/member/blog_post_view.php?postId=51199
the cylinder of the car in the exhaust. I suddenly realized that the brakes failed after the lifting of the rear parking brake system,http://datingxite.com/member/blog_post_view.php?postId=51196
control the electric valve of the brake air flow automatically shut down, causing the rear wheel brake pressure is not enough.http://datingxite.com/member/blog_post_view.php?postId=51194

I'll open the electric valve, car running merrily. Waited a long time to get,http://myzizzle.com/blogs/entry/Olympic-Committee-Warns-Iran-Keep-Hands-Off-Sports-Bodies
obviously, their own time to solve a problem can be chosen to not believe. Reminds me to learn the car instructors say, had sincerely admire.http://myzizzle.com/blogs/entry/Mobile-Phone-Surveillance-by-Police-Targets-Millions-Annually

Today, I no longer engaged in driving work, life and work have some improvement, but the words of the instructors often ringing in my ears. He made me understand that when appear in front of the problem, http://myzizzle.com/blogs/entry/Feds-Offer-1-Million-Reward-for-Alleged-Fast-and-Furious-Killers
in addition to outside to find my own shortcomings, but also believe they, self-confidence can be inspiring,http://chatuj.x-arena.eu/member/blog_post_view.php?postId=51024
and with their accumulated knowledge of customer service with one another to a difficult problem. Are confident, willing to study, then go all out, you will be successful more than half.

2
The poor lack: the surface of lack of funds, in essence, lack of ambition, lack the concept of brain, opportunities, lack of understanding of the bones lack the courage to change the lack of action, the cause of lack of willpower
http://chatuj.x-arena.eu/member/blog_post_view.php?postId=51022

The smartest people in the world was borrowed from the experience of others hit badly beaten as their own experience, the most stupid person in the world's non-experience driven to the wall of the experience called

3 Do not hold the past and hold to reject new ideas and challenges

Everyone has to retire one day, but not everyone has a retirement protection

Life is to live long and short, but in the enlightenment of the early and late

Success in life is often in an idea, but most of all ages
http://chatuj.x-arena.eu/member/blog_post_view.php?postId=51020

The young capital, but do not work hard is not worth

Heaven is the most beautiful stars, the world's most beautiful is the truth

9 willing to limited, and win the unlimited

10 tend to hold something of books to determine the ignorance of things; people often took the wrong inference when the correct conclusion

Rather than defeat the enemy a thousand times, better to overcome their own time

12 gives the money is bad policy, giving capacity is the second choice, giving the concept is the best way

13 rich on rich do not know enough, your on your energy refined. Poor on the poor in the less knowledgeable, and cheap on the cheap in the spineless