Three Bowls of Chocolate Frosted Sugar Bombs

I know a lot of you readers have graduated and are now onto full time working jobs, mommy jobs, or various other non-school jobs.  (Or somehow, you’re living on the street and still have a computer.)  But Derek and I are still here suffering in the thick of it.  Because of that, we’ve decided to share a portion of our vast intelligence with you.  Today’s lesson:  The law of diminishing marginal returns. 

Diminishing marginal returns is an economic law that describes how the value of something diminishes with each additional unit.  For example, if you could have one scoop of ice cream you would enjoy it a lot.  If you were offered a second scoop, you would likely still enjoy it.  (Who wouldn't want another scoop?) However, after more and more scoops, thoughts of your waistline or of a resulting stomachache would cause you to reject an additional scoop of ice cream, even if it were given for free.

Another way to think about it is that once a company reaches a certain size, the last employee hired is going to be at least slightly less productive than the previous ones.  The reason for that is that for each additional employee, more inefficiency is introduced into the system.  With this new hire, the HR department now has one more person to worry about, same as the financial department, etc.  More energy must be inserted into the operation in order for them to bring forth the same amount of work.

Extra credit to anyone that can find the spelling error. Hint: It's not labour (even though labor is the official American spelling).

Derek wrote that last paragraph.  It makes no sense to me.  But, I know that I like ice cream!

Or even when I’m given one candy bar, I enjoy it more than if I’m given three.  If I only have one, I’m gonna make that one count.  But if I have three, it doesn’t matter if the first isn’t good, I still have two more.  Overall, three candy bars is better than one.  But individually, one candy bar is better than the third consecutive. 

Let's see an example of this concept found in literature

So that we’ve got the basics, let’s apply this to other areas of life.

1.   If you’re given a cell phone, it’s awesome.  If you’re given a second cell phone, not as awesome.
2. Turning on the first light makes a bigger difference than turning on the second light.
3. Chuck-a-rama.  At some point, you just have to stop.
4. Church.  That’s why most wards put Sacrament meeting first. . .
5. Running....Derek wanted me to add that the more you run the stupider it gets.  "The first block is fine!  But once you get to the second and third, I'm about done."
6. Disney movies.  The sequel is never as good. 
7. Kids.  My parents like Leslie better than Kyra, and Kyra better than me.  Wait. …what? 

If we’re basing family size off of the law of diminishing returns, the more kids you have the less they each mean to you.  (Sorry Spencer.)  So once you have ten kids, you might see one of them and not even know if it’s yours, right? 

Fortunately, no. 

This is where the law breaks down.  If you look at any family….whether it has 3 kids, or 6 kids, or even 13…take one of the children out and there’s a significant difference.   Each person matters—thank heavens.

Not only is my mom telling the truth that she loves us all, but when we read about God’s love, He really cares about each of us. 

”And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever.” (Moses 7:30) 

Somewhere within that mess of stars I'm sitting here at my computer.

I don’t know how many little sand particles there are on earth, but there are a lot.  And to think that each represents millions of earths like this is pretty humbling.  How could Heavenly Father ever hear anyone’s prayers, let alone my simple prayer when I feel lonely or tired.  But just as a perfect Father, He hears us because He loves us and does care. 

Alright, who’s got the closing prayer for class today? 

We hope you liked our lesson today! Go home, teach your families, tease your younger siblings.  And we’ll see you next week with a quiz!