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How do I learn about economics?

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  • #16
    1. Learn a little math.
    2. Learn Micro. Well.
    3. Learn Macro.

    Started a serious education several months ago (last econ class I took was in high school). This book was recommended to me, and is pretty good (if dense - see (1)):
    "Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before. He is full of murderous resentment of people who are ignorant without having come by their ignorance the hard way. "
    -Bokonon

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    • #17
      That's a serious micro book for graduate students/advanced undergrads. It's a great text for those people but it doesn't fit what Elok asked for at all.

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      • #18
        Maybe, but I'm pretty sure that this business is total voodoo without a firm grounding in micro.
        "Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before. He is full of murderous resentment of people who are ignorant without having come by their ignorance the hard way. "
        -Bokonon

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        • #19
          To an extent it is - but you can get a fair way without the technical stuff and trying to learn micro at that level before you really understand what economics is about is counterproductive.

          And even if you have the grounding, that's a book to enable you to build your tools to make advances in micro (which by necessity is technical). It doesn't teach you very much about real world policy questions, and that's the best route in my experience to generate some enthusiasm for the subject.

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          • #20
            First thing you need to do is ignore DrSpike's advice. The #1 thing to know about economics is it's the study of bull**** by bull****ters. That's why a degree in economics is worthless except getting you a job as the moderator for a deserted Other Games forum.

            If you want to learn how economics actually works, you need to have a scientific mind. You're too artsy. Don't even bother.
            "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
            Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

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            • #21
              Just glanced through the table of contents of Blinder's book on Amazon. Why is chapter two about the Phillips curve? Seems a bit strange to me. I ordered a copy from my uni library, so I'll read it when it gets to my office in a couple of days.
              12-17-10 Mohamed Bouazizi NEVER FORGET
              Stadtluft Macht Frei
              Killing it is the new killing it
              Ultima Ratio Regum

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              • #22
                Originally posted by Asher View Post
                First thing you need to do is ignore DrSpike's advice. The #1 thing to know about economics is it's the study of bull**** by bull****ters. That's why a degree in economics is worthless except getting you a job as the moderator for a deserted Other Games forum.

                If you want to learn how economics actually works, you need to have a scientific mind. You're too artsy. Don't even bother.
                Econ phds do okay as quants, apparently. Depends on their thesis. Finance phds are most sought after, followed by physicists and mathematicians. MFEs are far down the list, and compscis can only be QDs.
                12-17-10 Mohamed Bouazizi NEVER FORGET
                Stadtluft Macht Frei
                Killing it is the new killing it
                Ultima Ratio Regum

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                • #23
                  Oh, and the KBE ROCKS.

                  12-17-10 Mohamed Bouazizi NEVER FORGET
                  Stadtluft Macht Frei
                  Killing it is the new killing it
                  Ultima Ratio Regum

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    I did more or less the same as KH, and with several of the same blogs. Two other useful blogs, albeit more openly partisan than KH recommends, are Cafe Hayek, run by two econ professors from George Mason, and the Becker-Posner Blog, run by Judge Richard Posner and Prof. Gary Becker, both avowed Chicago School members.
                    Solomwi is very wise. - Imran Siddiqui

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                    • #25
                      Originally posted by Asher View Post
                      First thing you need to do is ignore DrSpike's advice. The #1 thing to know about economics is it's the study of bull**** by bull****ters. That's why a degree in economics is worthless except getting you a job as the moderator for a deserted Other Games forum.

                      If you want to learn how economics actually works, you need to have a scientific mind. You're too artsy. Don't even bother.
                      Quiet - he didn't ask for advice on how to fix his computer so there's no value for you to add here.

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                      • #26
                        Question: how is it that DrSpike has 30000 posts, yet I barely know who he is?
                        12-17-10 Mohamed Bouazizi NEVER FORGET
                        Stadtluft Macht Frei
                        Killing it is the new killing it
                        Ultima Ratio Regum

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Next question: why is it that I see Kontiki viewing every thread that I post in?
                          12-17-10 Mohamed Bouazizi NEVER FORGET
                          Stadtluft Macht Frei
                          Killing it is the new killing it
                          Ultima Ratio Regum

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Another question:

                            Coffee made its first appearance in Western Europe in the mid-to-late 17th century, which is also the exact moment in history that physics as a quantitative discipline was born (along with the invention of infinitesimal calculus). Coincidence?
                            12-17-10 Mohamed Bouazizi NEVER FORGET
                            Stadtluft Macht Frei
                            Killing it is the new killing it
                            Ultima Ratio Regum

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Originally posted by KrazyHorse View Post
                              Next question: why is it that I see Kontiki viewing every thread that I post in?
                              Probably not every thread, but a good number, sure. I mostly just lurk these days except during the hockey pool season, and by coincidence the stuff you tend to find interesting enough to post about is often the same stuff I find interesting enough to read. Can't say I give a **** about Star Trek/Star Wars stuff or anything to do with the Philippines. Oddly, I also tend to hit up threads where BK posts. I literally loathe him, but it's like watching a car wreck.
                              "The French caused the war [Persian Gulf war, 1991]" - Ned
                              "you people who bash Bush have no appreciation for one of the great presidents in our history." - Ned
                              "I wish I had gay sex in the boy scouts" - Dissident

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                              • #30
                                Oh, also I'm stalking you.
                                "The French caused the war [Persian Gulf war, 1991]" - Ned
                                "you people who bash Bush have no appreciation for one of the great presidents in our history." - Ned
                                "I wish I had gay sex in the boy scouts" - Dissident

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