Follow The Money

“Did you hear about the free agent pitcher that signed with a new team for two hundred and seventeen million dollars?” asked Stacey.

“Is that per year?” asked Melanie.

“It’s over seven years. That’s thirty-one million dollars per year. It’s the largest contract ever given to a pitcher.”

“What does it say about our society that we pay people so much money to play a game?”

“It means we really like baseball. I wouldn’t read too much into it. He’s an elite athlete,” explained Stacey.

Melanie guffawed. “What does that even mean? Sports is entertainment. A big distraction, that’s all.”

“Somebody got picked last in gym class,” scoffed Stacey.

“Whatever.”

“I’m just saying. Give the guy his due. He’s awesome at his job. The best, even,” said Stacey.

“And I’m saying his job is essentially useless. It’s not like he’s saving lives,” said Melanie.

“He’s saving lives from boredom and monotony. We need distraction every once in a while.”

“Not enough to be paid two hundred and seventeen million dollars to do it.”

“Point taken,” conceded Stacey.

“Think about this. What’s the carbon footprint left by sports? Or movies? People complain about pollution all the time. I bet if you eliminated both of those industries, we’d make emissions practically nothing,” said Melanie.

“Now you’re talking crazy,” grumbled Stacey.

“Aren’t athletes and actors pushing this environmental movement? Make them put their money where their mouth is. Get real jobs. They can struggle along with the rest of us,” said Melanie.

“Like that would ever happen.”

Melanie rolled her eyes. “Exactly. If you wanna know what a society really believes, look how it spends its money.”