Today in class we talked about what Spitzer was really getting for $4300 - obviously there was more to it than the nominal purpose. Why, as Moglen pointed out, would he use a method of obtaining a sex partner in which he could easily be caught? Why pay for sex at all? Veblen talks about women as chattels and the use of conspicuous consumption by the leisure class to distinguish itself. It's interesting that this particular behaviour seems to be officially condemned but tacitly approved of, or at least revelled in, by society. Do we really think Spitzer wanted to be found out on some level? I'd like to hear people's thoughts on this.

-- ClaireOSullivan - 13 Mar 2008

Claire, a NYTimes op-ed piece addresses this question quite well and relates to the lesson concerning friends that Eben emphasized. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/14/opinion/14brooks.html?ex=1363233600&en=4c22a43a28efc656&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink

-- CarinaWallance - 16 Mar 2008