Posted by AugustIsWriting on May 04, 2026
I couldn't tell you how the economy works. It is a faceless, often oppressive, invisible force that affects literally every aspect of my life, and yet I could barely give you the definition of Gross Domestic Product, let alone give you an example of it. That's how I walked into Emily Bates' Homo Economicus, which promised an economics lecture alongside music, monologue, a strip tease and heaps of garbage, hoping that I would learn something. Not only did Emily deliver, cause I did learn a lot, but she's a powerhouse entertainer who kept me riveted through the entire show.
If Homo Economicus is a lecture, it's a well constructed one: first a primer on basic economic terms and ideas, extrapolating on them to their logical/absurd conclusions, and then an invitation to imagine systems outside of the ones that exist. But of course, it's not strictly Econ 101 - the show opens with a music number I can only describe as if The Bengsons got really into synthesizers. There's some great character work that kept me laughing the entire hour. The strip tease? Hot!
In the same way that speculative science fiction creates for us societies and technologies that I could never have imagined on my own, Emily introduced us to some economic experiments that expanded my understanding of money and community. It turns out a lot can change with the shifting of a few key principles, and these experiments have been done before, and successfully! Furthermore, it turns out when you realize you can be reaching for a better life with more time for your family and loved ones, you really start to want it. Once I want something, I become activated to go after it. And that's where Homo Economicus lets you off the leash back into your life.
A little gift I got during the final monologue
Not only did Homo Economicus teach me something, but it moved me to be more engaged with my money, showing me that thoughtful and ethical commerce can be achieved, with some preparation and thought. Plus, thanks to the show's extensive bibliography and free financial materials at the door, I feel much more equipped to do so. Whether you consider yourself financially literate, you're already embedded in cooperative ownership, or you barely have a savings account, Homo Economicus has something for everyone to reexamine.
Homo Economicus runs through this Sunday, May 10th, at God's Automatic Body and Spa.
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