"Speakers are paid what the market will bear. It's called supply and demand (quaint concept)..."
Yes, I understand market economics, I support and advocate market economics, I have even TAUGHT market economics. If hosting Ann brought in more money than it cost then it makes sense but University lectures are not profit making operations. If they charged $10 a ticket they would have to bring in 3000 people to break even. There were only a few hundred at the meeting. Sometimes the value people put on things gets out of whack, like the tulip mania in Holland many years ago. As much as I like Ann, imo it's crazy to pay that kind of money to entertain or inform a few hundred people.
BTW Nuclhead, if you think I am a socialist troll try reading some of my posts.
If 30K is what Ann is charging and the schools are paying it then that is what the market will bear. I hope she can get 50K or better. If you are one of the economists who taught me in assorted universities, you are a Keynesian and therefore a fool. I have read some of your posts, and frankly, I was amazed at what you wrote today. Hopefully, you are just having a bad day.
I have made commensurate money for about the same amount of work (and time) in the past, and considering what I'm making right now I don't consider it obscene at all. I wish everyone who earns it could make that kind of money. What really p----d me off was paying the taxes on it. Rather than being envious for what my friends, peers, and political brethren make I am rather happy for them!