Word: grime
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...proposition the memo offers—to pay lower-wage countries to accept our pollution—is rather straightforward. Consider a machine that could magically suck grime and litter off the streets of Los Angeles and deposit it in Calcutta. Given that the Calcutta city government has more important things to worry about, it seems reasonable that it might value clean streets somewhat less than we do and be willing to take a little bit of grime for the right fee—a fee that could be immediately redirected into other, more pressing priorities, such as saving scores...
There are, of course, several problems with this scenario. There are transportation costs, although with this magical machine we can temporarily do without them. There might be unequal information, where we send more and dirtier grime than they were expecting, but presumably Los Angeles would be required by contract to be up-front. There might be a “moral hazard,” in which Angelenos will litter more, knowing that their actions will have less effect; but the same could occur after more frequent street sweeping. And there might be agent problems, in which the Calcutta government...
...rare visits from the cleaning crew not only attacked the grime but also became opportunities for spontaneous celebration...
...ubiquitous TV commercial for the hotel chain where, the ad suggests, every employee is prepared to give a guest detailed strategic advice and encouragement for a forthcoming business meeting? Unlike a more traditional advertising claim--that, say, an angel flies out of a can of cleanser to banish grime with her magic wand--this hotel's claim is not inherently or obviously metaphorical. Yet it's clearly not true--a point that probably didn't even occur to the producers of the ad or 99% of its viewers. The deception is not on purpose; few are deceived. But the process...
...terribly complicated procedure. First, anesthetize the mouse. Then gently turn it over on its back and carefully remove the protective ring surrounding the mouseball. Remove the ball and, with a sterile object (or finger), scrape away any visible dirt or grime. Replace the ball and cover. The surgery takes a little less than a minute, and recovery time is virtually negligible. And, more importantly, our little friends will be literally scampering with...