As a spin off to that thread about slavery I encourage discussion regarding the question:
In a legal, regulated, subsidized industry in which human beings can be sold as chattel, what would the price tags be on certain individuals depending on their specific characteristics.
It goes way beyond the sort of stuff that goes into buying a car or a house.
- How would certain racial makeups affect price? Would purebreds be more expensive like dog breeding?
- Would a person's sexual history and performance determine the value of each individual?
- Would quality control be dependent on something similar to the NFL scouting combine?
- Would there be catagories of persons to be placed in? I.e. Sex Slaves, Racers/Fighters/Athletes, Domestic Chore Assistants, Broad Entertainment Slaves
- Would celebrities be exponentially more expensive?
If you could buy one or more people to be your slave(s), who would they be and what would you give up for them?
Interesting question.
In a legal, regulated, subsidized industry in which human beings can be sold as chattel, what would the price tags be on certain individuals depending on their specific characteristics? - It would depend on culture. Different countries prize different physical attributes. If we're talking mental attributes as well, it would depend on what kind of chattel their masters wanted them to be and what they are for. Are they a status symbol and only to look pretty? A physique like a celebrity would be wanted. He/she will be taught to only speak when spoken to. This would be a huge industry. People born to be slaves and conditioned to serve their masters. A caste system would develop. Slaves and Citizens.
How would certain racial makeups affect price? Would purebreds be more expensive like dog breeding? - Whatever a culture finds attractive will be the highest price. However, there are attributes all humans find attractive. A symmetrical face and full lips. Big hips on women are universally attractive too. "Purebred" people could be more expensive. Mixed people also could. Whatever looks exotic will be bought.
Would a person's sexual history and performance determine the value of each individual? - Sexual virginity is attractive to many people due to the idea that virginity is pure and after a women has been taken her worth is decreased. Performance is also highly regarded as it is believed that better performance = better sex (not guaranteed). Many people want both things, so they will be around the same price.
Would quality control be dependent on something similar to the NFL scouting combine? - Yes. Higher quality = more expensive. And companies that run these slave guilds want more money. I think technology in designer babies would be given much greater funding as it creates a better chance of getting what type of physical attribute slave companies want.
Would there be catagories of persons to be placed in? I.e. Sex Slaves, Racers/Fighters/Athletes, Domestic Chore Assistants, Broad Entertainment Slaves - Oh yes. Most definitely. However, i can't help but see that slave racers/fighters/athletes would garner sympathy from citizens as they are celebrated and cheered by them to win and overcome their opponents. Though since in your world there is a prevalent industry of expendable slaves, citizens would see it as normal and could even see them as less human if the propaganda machine was working right.
Would celebrities be exponentially more expensive? - Celebrity slaves? This is a world where a celebrity worshipped by millions of people is openly a slave? Oh boy. Well, yes they would be highly coveted, being placed high up on the pedestal by many people.
If you could buy one or more people to be your slave(s), who would they be and what would you give up for them? - I can't see myself buying a slave. Ever.
