I Page 2 - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 7, 1985 Prof mixes economic theory with romance By KATIE WILCOX Looks and sex appeal are certainly important in choosing a lover, but con- sider for a moment the economics in- volved. Espousing his theories of mating and marriage, University economics Prof. Theodore Bergstrom, gave a new per- spective to an old subject at a North Campus lecture yesterday. MIXING "UNITS of joy" with the "diminishing marginal rate of sub- stitution" Bergstrom showed just how choosing a mate differs from "normal" economic consumer theory. "Nobody ever cares what the beans, pork chops, and peas think about the consumer," he said. "There's no reason why girls' preferences will be matched by the boys' and vice-versa.'' SO WHAT'S A poor love-struck fool to do? Well, he could, as Bergstrom suggests, use the Gale Shapley cour- tship algorithm for guidance. "Would it be possible to find an assignment (of mates) where no two people would prefer each other to their partner?" he said. Bergstrom thinks so. Such a con- dition, he said, would be a stable com- bination of "boys and girls" such that no one would cheat on his partner because anyone he would like to have an affair with, prefers his own partner over the potential mate. IT'S HARD to picture the boy down on one knee with a wedding ring in one hand and a checklist in the other, but Bergstrom said the process of mutual selection and "stable assignment... is not so terribly different than the cour- tship we perceive." In this model you calculate the public goods and private goods con- sumed in marriage" to find "the allocation of boys and girls to maximize the joy produced," Bergstrom said. "They joy produced minus the price of the girl equals the joy the boy gets and vice-versa," he said. Even Bergstrom admits it's "gross" to divide the sum of the joy between two people, "but it still rings partly true, at least to me." Backing up the theories, Bergstrom uses complex linear programming models and "quasi-concave" graphs. IN BRIEF Complied from Associated Press and United Press International reports Irel denies bomb attack report BEIRUT, Lebanon-Lebanese radio stations reported a suicide bomb at- tack yesterday against Israeli troops with as many as 100 casualties near the southern port of Tyre, but Israel called the reports "a lie." State-owned Beirut radio reported that an unidentified officer detonated a car packed with explosives in a suicide attack on Israeli troops, killing or wounding more than 100 Israeli soldiers. Israel immediately denied the claim. The Beirut radio report, which also was carried by several other radio stations in Lebanon, said the attack was in apparent retaliation for the killing of students Tuesday in a Moslem orphanage in Tyre. In Tel Aviv, Israeli army spokesman Zev Chafets issued an "official denial" saying the attack "never happened." Asked if the report of the at- tack on Israeli troops was a hoax, Chafets said it was "a lie." MSU suspends film groups Daily Photo by DARRIAN SMITH. Economics Prof. Theodore Bergstrom speaks on economic theories in mate selection yesterday at the Industrial and Operations Engineering Building. Congressman's wife dispels Barbie doll' myth WASHINGTON (AP) - Marty Davis, out to dispel the notion that congressional wives are all "cloying Barbie dolls swathed in Ultrasuede," said yesterday she sent a revealing photograph to a local magazine because she was irritated by being stereotyped. "It's gotten to the point where I sim- ply don't tell anybody I'm a congressman's wife because I don't like the reaction I get," said Davis, the wife of Rep. Robert Davis (R-Mich.). Davis, a Dearborn, Mich., native with bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism, had had enough when a let- ter to the editor appeared in Dossier. The author remared with surprise at the attractive appearance of another congressional wife. "That ticked me off," Davis said. So, she sent the magazine a picture of herself, bending over in a cut-away leotard and hign heels, hair cascading over a shoulder. "Yes, there are congressional wives who aren't cloying Barbie dolls swathed in Ultrasuede,"she wrote in a letter accompanying the picture and published with it in the February issue of Dossier. "I'm speaking for myself and I'm speaking for the business-oriented, career-oriented women in our ranks," she said. Since Davis, 51, was elected to Congress in 1978, Davis said she has been fighting the idea that she was "merely an ornament... an extension of your husband." Although she campaigns with Davis and does election media work for him, many people see her - and other congressional wives - as lacking style and independence, she said. "I don't know how many times I've been called 'sweetheart' and 'honey' by lobbyists," she said. "It's really disgusting," adding it infuriated her when she was patronized at parties. In applying for jobs, she said people either "thought I was a bimbo" or imagined she would slant the news because she was a congressional spouse. "Anybody who breaks the mold, they can't figure out," she said. "People will say, 'But you don't look like a congressman's wife. I've heard that so many times." To maintain her looks, Davis said she works out regularly at an exercise studio, watches her weight and takes care of her skin. Her husband, she said, has always backed her career. They met when Davis was a state senator and she worked for a radio station in Michigan. The couple married in 1976 - the second marriage for both. Paul Ganz, Davis' press secretary, said the congressman was not "em- barrassed at all" by the magazine pic- ture. "He has always been very suppor- tive of her... aims and aspirations." Davis recently formed her own public relations and media consulting firm which she operates from her home. EAST LANSING - Two student-run film groups embroiled in a controversy over the showing of x-rated movies say their status as registered student organizations at Michigan State University has been suspended. Spokesmen for Box Office Spectaculars and Revolver Cinema said the ac- tion was taken by MSU Vice President Moses Turner, who had earlier asked the groups to stop showing the skin flicks. Turner refused to say whether the groups had been suspended. Turner told the groups they were operating more as businesses than as student organizations. But a spokesman for Box Office Spectaculars denied the group is making a profit.° Darin Greyerbiehl of Revolver Cinema has said he will take his case to the Lansing chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Alleged vi 'atepleads innocent NEW YORK-"Death Wish" gunman Bernhard Goetz pleaded innocent yesterday to charges of illegal weapons possession while protesters outside the court accused the electrical engineer of racism and murder. In a 10-minute court appearance, his first since he was indicted, Goetz also won a request for a reduction in bail from $50,000 to $5,000. A grand jury last month refused to indict Goetz for attempted murder for shooting four black teenagers who allegedly asked him for $5 on a subway train Dec. 22. In reducing the bail, Justice Stephen Crane noted the "stark contrast" between the current charges and the preliminary attempted murder charges Goetz had faced when the $50,000 bail was set. The judge, who could hear anti-Goetz slogans chanted by protesters on the street, also noted that Goetz agreed to surrender his passport and that his at- torney, Joseph Kelner, had promised Goetz would remain in the state. Seat-belt bill passes conittee LANSING-Mandatory seat belt legislation continued its quick trip through the legislature yesterday gaining 13-2 approval from the House In- surance Committee, with a vote predicted in the full House in a week. Rep. David Hollister said he believes the bill has had a relatively easy time so far because "the argument has been won." With the Legislature in session for 'barely a month, the bill has already cleared the Senate and is now poised for action in the House. Hollister said the bill has as many as 65 supporters in the House-nine more than the number needed for passage. The Lansing Democrat, the chief backer of the seat belt requirement, said lawmakers and the public no longer perceive the issue to be one of "seat belts or nothing," but a choice of either seat belts or federally mandated passive restraints or air bags in new cars. U.S. studies alternatives to Australian MX missile support WASHINGTON-The Reagan administration, conferring with Australian Prime Minister Robert Hawke, said yesterday it is "looking at the availability of alternatives" in the wake of Australia's reported plans to withdraw support facilities for MX missile tests. Secretary of State George Shultz met with Hawke yesterday and said: "A decision has been made by the United States to conduct MX tests without the use of Australian support facilities." Hawke said there would be no affect on cooperation between the nations within ANZUS. An administration official, briefing reporters on the condition that he not be otherwise identified, said Hawke discussed the MX issue with U.S. of- ficials briefly Tuesday night at a dinner given by Vice President George Bush. It was expected to come up again yesterday and today in meetings with Shultz and President Reagan. The official made clear, however, that the administration does not con- sider the Australian action as serious a matter as New Zealand's decision to close its ports to nuclear-equipped U.S. ships. That decision, which led to U.S. withdrawal from, and Australian cancellation of, joint naval exercises among the three ANZUS treaty partners, is also expected to be on Hawke's agenda. Obje irbigaun 1a flu Vol. XVC - No. No. 106 The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967 X) is published Tuesday through Sunday during the Fall and Winter terms and Tuesday through Saturday during the Spring and Summer terms by students at the University of Michigan. Sub- scription rates: Feb. 1 through April - $7.00 in Ann Arbor; $12.00 outside the city. Second class postage paid at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109. The Michigan Daily is a member of the Associated Press and subscribes to United Press International, Pacific News Service, Los Angeles Times Syndi- cate and College Press Service, and United Students Press Service. 1. 14 "::':! >?i~i :-~ii:;:' iiii:>.::ii:S :iii~"::... =is<.p: : ..i' s... S U";4 1"i 4 G --- -- - Round trip. Anywhere Greyhound goes. This spring break, if you and your friends are thinking about heading to the slopes, the beach or just home for a visit, Greyhound can take you there. For only $99 or less, round trip. Starting February 15, all you do is show us your collee student I.D. cardwen you purchase our ticket. Your ticket will then be good for travel or 15 days from the date of purchase. So this spring break, get a real break. Go any- where Greyhound goes or $99 or less. For more information, call Greyhound. Must present a valid college student I.D. card upon purchase. No other discounts apply. Tickets are non transferable and good for travel on Greyhound Lines, Inc., and other participating carriers. Certain restrictions apply. Offereffective 2-15-85. Offer limited. Not valid in Canada. Editor in Chief ........,.............NEIL CHASE Opinion Page Editors ............. JOSEPH KRAUS PETER WILLIAMS Managing Editors..........GEORGEA KOVANIS JACKIE YOUNG News Editor ................... THOMAS MILLER Features Editor ............... LAURIE DELATER City Editor ................... ANDREW ERIKSEN Personnel Editor.............TRACEY MILLER NEWS STAFF: Jody Becker, Laura Bischoff, Dov Cohen, Lily Eng, Carla Folz, Rita Girardi, Marla Gold, Ruth Goldman, Amy Goldstein, Rachel Gottlieb, Jim Grant, Bill Hahn, Thomas Hrach, Sean Jackson, Elyse Kimmelman, David Klapman, Debbie Ladestro, Vibeke Laroi, Carrie Levine. Jerrv Markon. Jennifer Matuia, Eric Mattson, Amy Mindell, Kery Murakami, Joel Om- bry, Arona Pearlstein, Christy Reidel, Charlie Sewell, Stacey Shonk, Katie Wilcox, Andrea Williams. Magazine Editors.............PAULA DOHRING RANDALL STONE Associate Magazine Editors......JULIE JURRJENS JOHN LOGIE Arts Editors ........................ MIKE FISCH ANDREW PORTER Associate Arts Editors . . . MICHAEL DRONGOWSKI Movies....................BYRON L. BULL Music ..................DENNIS HARVEY Books....................... ANDY WEINE Thre............... CS LAUER~ Sports Editor ....................MIKE McGRAW Associate Sports Editors ........... JEFF BERGIDA KATIE BLACKWELL PAUL HELGREN DOUGLAS B. LEVY STEVE WISE SPORTS STAFF: Dave Aretha, Andy Arvidson, Mark Borowsky, Emily Bridgham, Debbie deFrances, Joe Devyak, Joe Ewing, Chris Gerbasi, Jim Gindin, Skip Goodman, Jon Hartman, Steve Herz, Rick Kaplan, Tom Keaney, Mark Kovinsky, Tim Makinen, Adam Martin, Scott McKinlay, Barb McQuade, Scott Miller, Brad Morgan. Jerry Muth, Phil Nussel, Adam Ochlis, Mike Redstone, Scott Salowich, Randy Schwartz, Susan Warner. Business Manager ................... LIZ CARSON Sales Manager .............DAWN WILLACKER Marketing Manager.............LISA SCHATZ Finance Manager.............. NANCY BULSON Display Manager.............. KELLY WORLEY Classified Manager.............JANICE KLEIN Nationals Manager ...........JEAN McMAHON Personnel Manager............ MARY WAGNER Ass't. Finance Manager.......FELICE SHERAMY Ass't. Display Manager ............. DOUG SMITH ADVERTISING STAFF: Ginny Babcock, Carla Balk, Cathy Barnes, Julia Barron, Christie Bogdan, Alyssa Burns, Whitney Burr, Monica Crowe, Claire Davies, Melanie Dunn, Tali Flam, Richard Gagmen, Meg Callo, Natalie Green, Betsy Heyman, Jen JeymanskLinda Holman, Debra Lederer, Lori Marusak, Sue Melampy, 14 :n y v;.v: ":".}; ti ' 'o .; "i"ti; .; .'"... ..\":.:.:. .: 4" .{ "' :+f?$:%?4i?:?$i { i:x "i}:" ':n ??'i{}iii:? ':" .; x: .. 0 IA