Back in about 3rd grade my twin daughters (different classes) , the teachers did an “exercise”. The teacher scattered 100 pennies around the room and then had the 30 kids go find them.
My daughters were very excited and found a bunch. Some of the boys thought it was stupid and didn't look for any.
Then the teachers asked how many pennies everyone had. Some kids had 6, some had none.
“So - is it okay that some of you have 6, and some of you have none?”
The kids discussed things. In both classes the majority (mob rule) agreed that it wasn't fair. (Granted, they were 3rd graders). And then the teachers asked what they should do about it.
My one daughter was so proud that the kids got together and decided that everyone should get the same amount of pennies, and those with a bunch gave theirs to those that didn't have any.
The other daughter was pissed, and tried to explain why those that had put in the effort to find the pennies shouldn't give theirs to those that just sat there. Of course she lost out to the mob rule.
We talked about it over dinner. I was proud of both of my daughters. The one that has a generous heart. The other that knew what was right. After discussing about it for a long time, the daughter with the big heart changed her mind.
They both are staunch Conservatives now. Although the one with the big heart will still pay for the person behind them at the drive-through window!
I mentioned to them that they should ask the teachers to do that exercise every day for a month and see how it works out. (Neither of them did). While I hated that they got taught that crap; in hind sight it may have been best that they were taught in Liberal schools, but mom and I were there each evening to discuss things and set them straight.
I once ran an economic experiment with 12th graders, only I mixed actual dollars with free points towards actual grades. I don’t recall the mechanism, but the result was spectacular: the kids who needed the points the most were most concerned about the money, while the kids with higher grades traded money for points they didn’t need.
I’m sure economists have a term for it, but I just sat back in wonder at the human condition.