The economists' guide to throwing out books

The Comment Central corner has been overrun. Books are avalanching from the desks, piled up against our shelves and driving everyone else mad.

But what should we do with the surplus volumes? Throw them away? Donate them ? Keep piling them up until health and safety intervenes? Perhaps it's time to turn to a topical economist debate.

Tyler Cowen has recently queried the sense of giving books away:

So you have to ask yourself -- this book -- is it better on average than what an attracted reader might otherwise spend time with?....

So all you altruists out there, ready your trash can and exercise your elbow. See if you can toss a book into the bin with one fell swoop from across the room. The love of humanity demands it.

Then Tim Harford threw in his two cents:

The optimal decision rule must be to throw things out before waiting until there is zero chance they will be missed.

Certainly our neighbours won't miss them. But is this take the right one? All advice gratefully received.

Alice Fishburn

Comments

[S. Pursch]

Donate them! Chris Hitchens is starting a book drive for the American university of Iraq. I'm sure they could use them.