Ezra Klein: Notes

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January 20, 2007

Notes

By Ezra

• Laura makes some unsettling points setting Saddam Hussein's supposedly "botched" hanging against the norms and glitches routinely accepted as part of our executions.

• If more frat houses read this web page, the condom industry would fall apart. It's worth saying, too, that when you think about the prices listed on this web page, you're talking $1 or more for every safe sexual encounter. That gets pricey. And it's hard to believe it's not a contributor to disease and pregnancy rates in low income communities. (Via Tyler the Cowen)

• We have a new weekend poster: Ankush Khardori, from Penguins on the Equator. I've been a fan of Ankush's media criticism ever since I noticed him viciously snarking at some my pretensions a few months back. He'll be great.

January 20, 2007 | Permalink

Comments

"talking $1 or more for every safe sexual encounter. That gets pricey"

I don't understand. 5-6 dollars a year ain't so bad.

Posted by: bob mcmanus | Jan 20, 2007 2:30:21 PM

Tell me how condom pricing is different from chewing gum pricing. Or razor blade pricing. Or bulk sugar, or beer, or anything else that people buy retail.

Posted by: bloikx | Jan 20, 2007 2:56:52 PM

Of course, even for the most amorous individual consumers, 1000 condoms may seem impractical. (Although with an average shelf life of four years, that would work out to 250 condoms per year – not out of the question for someone with an active sex life.)

"I dunno, officer. He just started screaming and weeping and then shot his computer."

Posted by: Phoenician in a time of Romans | Jan 20, 2007 3:05:17 PM

I always referred to the price of condoms as a "sex tax" (which also occasionally includes a cab ride home from the bar).

Posted by: zoidberg | Jan 20, 2007 3:09:59 PM

Condoms still seem pretty cheap compared to most other forms of birth control, although obviously the STD protection is a big plus as well. A quick search at costco.com showed that even generic birth-control pills average around $25 for a 28-day supply, which would pretty much supply even the most energetic & willing couples with condoms for the same period of time, I would think.

Posted by: latts | Jan 20, 2007 3:40:53 PM

I am more shocked that anyone over the age of sixteen would voluntarily use a Trojan or Durex. I understand, we don't all live less than two miles from our nearest Good Vibrations outlet, but jeeze, fellas -- live a little. Try a few other brands. You'll save money by not buying at the corner store, and probably enjoy yourself more.

On the economics, the condom industry itself doesn't care who sells its products. The profit per shelf space for the corner store on the condoms probably isn't all that high, so if everyone switched to mailorder, they'd shrug and move on.

Posted by: wcw | Jan 20, 2007 5:04:31 PM

Just don't buy them in Costa Rica. Really--trust me on this.

Posted by: Tom Hilton | Jan 20, 2007 5:42:15 PM

I get mine free from Planned Parenthood.

Posted by: NBarnes | Jan 20, 2007 6:25:39 PM

condom industry would fall apart

[mental image of a ruptured condom]

a somewhat unfortunate choice of words for the product one does NOT want to fall apart - especially when it it is the front line on the battle against HIV disease. Birth control pills don't solve that problem.

I think the biggest problem is not the embarrassment factor in buying 24 at once while standing in line with a little old lady ahead of you and a luscious young-one behind you. A broad grin wins every time if your purchase is noticed.

Guys don't plan ahead, unless they regularly score home runs and bowl 300 games. And who wants a condom tumbling from your wallet when you get out the Visa for a six pack of beer?

And come on, can any male not below the poverty level say that a romp in the sheets isn't worth a lousy buck? The alcohol foreplay costs lots more than that.

Many health departments and bars have a bowl of them free for the taking, for those who don't want to pay.

Posted by: JimPortlandOR | Jan 20, 2007 6:47:44 PM

What is this condom thing you are talking about?

Posted by: Bareback Sullivan | Jan 20, 2007 7:57:30 PM

Guys like me have to pay so much to get laid, a buck condom surcharge is nothing! :-D

Posted by: Steve | Jan 21, 2007 12:28:58 AM

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