Why Superman Doesn't Take Over the World

What Superheroes Can Tell Us About Economics

By: J. Brian O'Roark

Narrated by: Mike Chamberlain

Why do heroes fight each other? Why do villains keep trying even though they almost never win? Why don't heroes simply take over the world?

Economics and comic books seem to be a world apart. But in the hands of economics professor and comic hero aficionado J. Brian O'Roark, the two form a powerful alliance. With brilliant deadpan enthusiasm, he shows how the travails of superheroes can explain the building blocks of economics and how the laws of economics explain the mysteries of superhero behavior.

Superman has a day job because of elastic demand; Spiderman's existential doubts are all about opportunity cost; game theory sheds light on the battle between Captain America and Iron Man; the Peltzmann effect makes sense of why heroes can go to the bad; sunk cost fallacy explains the Flash's tragic dilemmas; the utility curve helps us decide who is the greatest superhero of all.

Why Superman Doesn't Take Over the World: What Superheroes Can Tell Us About Economics probes the motivations of our favorite heroes and considers what it would look like if their stories played out in reality.

©2019 J. Brian O'Roark (P)2019 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This light and breezy read will have your mind soaring as you learn to see your favorite heroes on an entirely new light." (Dirk Mateer, author of Principles of Economics)

Should have listened to this during college

Despite finishing an economic college I learned more about economics here then in 3 years of college. Guess it goes to show you that the only way to care about a subject you didn't care before is by linking it with something you care about. As I got older I started to care less about the hero and more about the world. How do people live in a world where Superman ruins Metropolis every other week when a new alien threat appears? Or in Gotham when Scarecrow releases fear gas all over the city.
Honestly, Marvel or DC should do a book or comic about this. This way the world they live in feels more alive rather them just ignoring the issue and moving on.
Overall a great book about economics and superheroes! Now, I think I'm gonna go check out the authors other works.

Interesting listen...

A good refresher for people in economics and those who are interested in comics. I enjoyed how it ties superheroes to reality through,
Daily life or daily economics.

I found it somewhat entertaining

an interesting educational reference for a brief overview of economic theories. someone entertaining and amusing using superheroes as a lens to give an educational overview of economics.