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Almost anyone beginning a reading of Marx' Capital finds the distinction between labor-power (the ability to work) and labor (working) something of a mystery. I like to think of it as the difference between a sewing machine and sewing. One buys the commodity sewing machine (labor-power) and sewing (labor). One purchases the commodity but pays nothing more to run it. Tonight being the start of TCM's salute to the GOAT, Edward G Robinson, and featuring 3 of hs best at 5pst Little Ceasar, At 8pst The Sea Wolf and at 10pst the best film I know of, Key Largo. So I will give again his description of the difference: “The sitting around on the set is awful. But I always figure that's what they pay me for. The acting I do for free.” *https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Edward_G._Robinson <https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Edward_G._Robinson>*. And comes along this today regarding Picasso: One day, Pablo Picasso was sitting in a Paris cafe and sketching something on a small napkin. Once he was done, a secret admirer recognized him, approached him and asked whether he could have that napkin. “Sure,” Picasso answered. “20,000 francs and it is yours.” “20,000 francs? It took you five minutes to draw this.” “Nonono, it took me more than 40 years.” Cited by Vjekoslav Nemec at Quora https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-coolest-line-in-history/answer/Vjekoslav-Nemec The difference between labor-power and labor is the same as that between a sewing machine and using it to sew. You pay for the machine (its ability to do work, i.e. like labor-power) but you pay nothing more to use it (like the workers’ labor).” JAI _________________________________________________________ Full posting guidelines at: http://www.marxmail.org/sub.htm Set your options at: https://lists.csbs.utah.edu/options/marxism/archive%40mail-archive.com
