Skip Navigation
Ellen Ruppel Shell

Ellen Ruppel Shell - Ellen Ruppel Shell is a professor and science journalist who teaches at Boston University. She is the author most recently of Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture. More

Atlantic contributing editor Ellen Ruppel Shell teaches at Boston University, where she co-directs the Graduate Program in Science Journalism. She writes on science, medicine, the media, economics, and sometimes even sports and the arts, and tends to focus on the underlying cultural and societal implications. She is the author most recently of Cheap: The High Cost of Discount Culture.
« Previous Technology | Next Technology » Email Email Print Print

Your Thoughts?

By Ellen Ruppel Shell

Aug 5 2009, 9:10 AM ET Comment

The formidable Megan McArdle and I have just begun our discussion of CHEAP on her site, and, not surprisingly, several of Megan's followers are outraged at the suggestion that predatory pricing has contributed to labor abuses and environmental devastation, in addition to doing serious damage to the bargaining power of Americans who work. (At least one of these critics has gone so far as to accuse me of being a "liberal arts" major!  Given my struggles with organic chemistry, perhaps I should have been.)  

Slurs aside, these angry folks subscribe to the "Sweatshops are A Dream" view of history, a view I do not share. 


What are your thoughts?

 



Presented by

More at The Atlantic

Mourning in America: Whitney Houston and the Social Speed of Grief Whitney Houston's Death and the Social Speed of Grief
Anne Rice, 'Secret World of Arrietty': The Week Ahead in Pop Culture The Week in Pop Culture
Can Full-Metal jousting Become the Next Ultimate Fighting Championship? Can Full-Metal Jousting Become the Next UFC?
In Memphis Classrooms, the Ghost of Segregation Lingers On In Memphis Classrooms, the Ghost of Segregation Lingers On
Can't We Learn to Stop Worrying and Love Mass Refinancing? Can't We Learn to Stop Worrying and Love Mass Refinancing?

Join the Discussion

After you comment, click Post. If you’re not already logged in you will be asked to log in or register.
blog comments powered by Disqus
Special Report
Election 2012 Reuters Election 2012
The destination for full politics coverage, from the primaries to the White House. Read more ›

Correspondents

View All Correspondents

The Biggest Story in Photos

Athens in Flames

Feb 13, 2012

Subscribe Now

SAVE 59%! 10 issues JUST $2.45 PER COPY

Facebook

Newsletters

Sign up to receive our free newsletters

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)

(sample)