Norma Desmond wants to look younger, and is willing to endure significant pain to get there. This is a great song to illustrate two concepts – tradeoffs and opportunity cost. The tradeoffs here are clear – to look younger and better, Norma Desmond has to endure some suffering.

This song also is a good one to illustrate opportunity costs. She likely pays the beauty consultants who are singing, but she’s so rich that her monetary payments do not matter to her. The implicit costs here are large, however. Norma Desmond has to give up a lot to look younger. The opportunity cost of beauty, in her case, is foregoing carbohydrates, injections, and more exercise.

Discussion Questions for “Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering”

Link to Lyrics for “Eternal Youth is Worth a Little Suffering”