Critical Response
Linda S. Ghent, Professor in the Department of Economics at Eastern Illinois University, discusses some economic themes in this episode:
- Elaine comes up with the idea of selling only the top parts of muffins; within days her old boss has opened a muffin-top store, capitalizing on her idea. Elaine needs protection for her idea, which is the role of the patent/trademark system. Innovation involves the introduction of a new good or new method of production or the development of a new market. Intellectual property rights provide control of distinct types of creations of the mind.
Ghent also describes the "stumps" of the muffins as a lack of utility, since even homeless people won't eat them.
Read more about this topic: The Muffin Tops
Famous quotes containing the words critical and/or response:
“The male has been persuaded to assume a certain onerous and disagreeable rôle with the promise of rewards—material and psychological. Women may in the first place even have put it into his head. BE A MAN! may have been, metaphorically, what Eve uttered at the critical moment in the Garden of Eden.”
—Wyndham Lewis (1882–1957)
“[In response to this question from an interviewer: “U. S. News and World Report described you this way: ‘She’s intolerant, preachy, judgmental and overbearing. She’s bright, articulate, passionate and kind.’ Is that an accurate description?”:]
It’s ... pretty good [ellipsis in original].”
—Joycelyn Elders (b. 1933)