The Economy of ‘Being’: How Tom Bombadil and Diocletian Escaped Power's Grip

If I am tempted by the economy of “more,” it usually means I don’t grow enough cabbages.

I’ve always been intrigued by Tom Bombadil’s indifference to the Ring. Everyone else in Middle-earth was sorely tempted by it — perhaps with the exception of Faramir. It’s always a surprise when I meet someone who isn’t tempted by what tempts me. Why don’t they care? Why doesn’t it affect them?

Someone said that modern economics is built entirely on our …