Have you ever wondered why something feels so good the first time—but less exciting the second or third time? Or why some people have more than they’ll ever use, but still aren’t satisfied?
If you’re a worldschooler like us, traveling across Senegal, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, Canada, and the U.S., you’ve probably noticed that while the money and marketplaces might look different, the way people feel about things is pretty much the same.
Let’s talk about economics—but in a way that makes sense for curious kids and thoughtful families.
1. Demand and Supply – The Great Street Market Dance
Imagine you’re in Casablanca, walking through a market. A vendor is selling fresh strawberries. You’re craving some, so you ask for the price. That’s demand—your desire and ability to buy something. The vendor, offering the strawberries, represents supply.
If lots of people want strawberries and there aren’t many, the price goes up. If the market is full of them and no one is buying, the price drops.
This balance—like a see-saw in a Canadian playground—is what keeps economies moving. It’s how things find their value. It’s happening in Dakar, in Karachi, in Austin—everywhere.
2. The Hungry Naan – A Lesson in Marginal Utility
Now picture this: You’re walking the streets of Karachi, and you’re starving. You buy a hot, soft naan from a tandoor.
- The first bite? Bliss.
- The second? Still good.
- The third? Okay…
- The fourth? Meh.
This is the idea of marginal utility—the happiness or satisfaction you get from one more unit of something. The more you have of the same thing, the less joy it brings.
It’s why we’re willing to pay a lot when we really want something—but not much once we’ve had enough.
3. Marginal Utility and Greed – When More Becomes Less
Let’s zoom out.
The first hundred dollars to someone in a village in Mauritania might mean food, clothing, or medicine. That money brings huge utility.
But the hundredth million to a billionaire in the USA? It might just sit in a bank or buy another home they never visit. The happiness from it is almost zero.
This shows us something powerful: more money, after a certain point, doesn’t mean more happiness.
That’s why greed—the endless desire for more—doesn’t work. Economics teaches us that there’s a point where more actually gives us less joy. That’s why some of the happiest people we’ve met on our travels had very little in their pockets—but laughter and kindness in abundance.
4. Why Rich and Poor Can Feel the Same Joy
We’ve seen it everywhere:
- A boy flying a homemade kite on a rooftop in Karachi.
- A group of kids playing football on the beach in Dakar.
- A family sharing a mango under the hot sun in Casablanca.
They may not have “everything,” but they have enough—and enough can feel like everything when your needs are met.
This is the magic of economics and empathy: understanding that happiness is not about how much you have, but how much you value what you have.
5. The Prisoner’s Dilemma – Trust and Choices
Here’s a fun brain teaser from economics called the Prisoner’s Dilemma:
Imagine two friends in the U.S. are caught sneaking extra cookies from the kitchen. If both stay quiet, they get a light punishment. If one blames the other, they go free while the other gets in big trouble. But if both blame each other? They both get punished.
What would you do?
This dilemma shows how people sometimes make choices that hurt everyone—when cooperation would’ve helped. We’ve seen this play out with kids on the playground in Canada, and even with adults making deals in markets across Africa and Asia.
6. John Nash and the Art of Balance
A brilliant man named John Nash (from the movie A Beautiful Mind) came up with a solution. He called it the Nash Equilibrium—a situation where no one can do better by changing their choice alone. Everyone’s doing the best they can, given what others are doing too.
Whether it’s kids sharing toys in Toronto or fishermen deciding where to cast their nets in Nouadhibou, Mauritania, finding this balance—where no one feels cheated—is the heart of healthy economies and healthy relationships.
7. Final Thought: Is This Your First Naan or Your Fourth?
The next time you want something, ask yourself:
Is this my first naan or my fourth?
If it’s your first, enjoy it fully. If it’s your fourth, maybe it’s time to give it to someone else. Economics isn’t just about money—it’s about making wise choices, building trust, and knowing when you have enough.
Worldschoolers see this in real time—from the desert towns of Mauritania to the big cities of North America. We learn that value is more than price. And happiness? It lives in shared meals, open smiles, and wise decisions.
Wherever you are in the world, may your next bite be full of gratitude—and may your lessons be as delicious as that first naan.
Halai 
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