A huge misconception about economists is that we are the kind of people who feel absolutely no remorse and that we are emotionally unaffected by situations. People claim that we can't feel pity, especially for people less fortunate than us. As long as it's for the good of the majority then we're completely content.
I found a New York Times article about how our stereotypes might be true. There have even been studies to test our personalities. For college students, they made a big point that there is a "loss of innocence." They say that people who take economics classes and become economics majors lose their innocence because of what they are taught. Also, if people majoring in economics haven't lost their innocence in college, it's because they lost it high school.
Economics in it's own nature is amoral. Emotions do not belong in the field and in order to be a good economist you have to be able to think rationally mores than emotionally. There are times when I agree with some stereotypes, but it's not always the case. I don't think that everyone loses their innocence completely. I know for a fact that I, myself, have sympathy and empathy for people in many different cases.
It's hard to completely label an entire group of diverse people with the same personal characteristics. I think that before someone was going to judge the entire community, they would have to talk in detail to a majority of the people.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Prompt #6: Evaluating Sources
There's an article on businessinsider.com about the argument on whether or not to increase government spending to alter the private sector. This is a typical economic problem that happens a lot in many different countries.
Obviously, there are pros and cons for each side of the argument. If government spending increases, the private sector will have less control but unemployment might drop and it could promote economic growth.
On the other hand, if the government spending doesn't increase the confidence in the market will rise and could self-promote economic growth. If that doesn't work, then the economy could continue to be in the same shape.
In this situation I would agree with famous economist Paul Krugman, who is in favor of government spending increasing. Although, both sides of the argument show strong evidence it would be a really tough decision for the Fed to decide. The arguments for both sides are quite convincing in some ways and are effectively explained.
Take a look for yourself and decide which side you would choose: http://www.businessinsider.com/paul-krugman-is-right-2013-4
Monday, February 23, 2015
Open Prompt #4: Ending Homelessness in Detroit
Recently, I came across an article on mLive about how three former addicts are doing their best to clean up the city. They are called The Road Homes and they give the less fortunate a second chance at living a prospering life.
They go around the city generously trying to find homeless people and set them up with the right paperwork to give them a home. The article is a heartwarming one, starting off with the trials and tribulations of a man who is in pain, both physically and emotionally. He is lonely, and the only time he can sleep is in drug houses. Then The Road Home comes in.
The group has already helped so many people find temporary homes in the city. It's just the first step in getting someone to turn their life around.
I highly suggest anyone interested in helping the homeless to check out this article and look more into The Road Home.
Source: mLive
They go around the city generously trying to find homeless people and set them up with the right paperwork to give them a home. The article is a heartwarming one, starting off with the trials and tribulations of a man who is in pain, both physically and emotionally. He is lonely, and the only time he can sleep is in drug houses. Then The Road Home comes in.
The group has already helped so many people find temporary homes in the city. It's just the first step in getting someone to turn their life around.
I highly suggest anyone interested in helping the homeless to check out this article and look more into The Road Home.
Source: mLive
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Prompt #3: Exploring Communication
In the field of law, it's obvious that writing and communication is vital to the success of a person's career. Reading over cases and writing contracts are just two things that lawyers do with their skills in communication.
Recently, I got the opportunity to talk about what being a lawyer entails to a professional commercial litigator, Mike Serra. Mr. Serra, a graduate of Wayne State Law has been in the field for quite some time now. From his internship with Carl Levin to his current position at Bodman PLC, he has accumulated well enough knowledge and experience to give advice to a potential like myself.
In the interview I asked him several questions involving his undergraduate education. We talked about majors and which classes helped him the most and which didn't do too much for his career. One important characteristic to have as a successful litigator is the ability to listen. While it's impossible to completely see a situation through the eyes of someone else, to do your best to put yourself in the shoes of another can help you become a better lawyer.
In fact, he and I are both a part of the same fraternity at Michigan State. Outside of academics the fraternity has helped him communicate face to face with many different people in a number of situations.
Overall, the interview was very beneficial. The doubts I had about my future career were cleared up and I feel much more confident with my ability to one day follow the same path as Mike.
Recently, I got the opportunity to talk about what being a lawyer entails to a professional commercial litigator, Mike Serra. Mr. Serra, a graduate of Wayne State Law has been in the field for quite some time now. From his internship with Carl Levin to his current position at Bodman PLC, he has accumulated well enough knowledge and experience to give advice to a potential like myself.
In the interview I asked him several questions involving his undergraduate education. We talked about majors and which classes helped him the most and which didn't do too much for his career. One important characteristic to have as a successful litigator is the ability to listen. While it's impossible to completely see a situation through the eyes of someone else, to do your best to put yourself in the shoes of another can help you become a better lawyer.
In fact, he and I are both a part of the same fraternity at Michigan State. Outside of academics the fraternity has helped him communicate face to face with many different people in a number of situations.
Overall, the interview was very beneficial. The doubts I had about my future career were cleared up and I feel much more confident with my ability to one day follow the same path as Mike.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Open Prompt #3: How Detroit and Robocop Are Economically Related
Below is an intriguing and easy to watch video about how the '80's movie "RoboCop" has a odd correlation with Detroit's economic state today.
It's a quite interesting look on today's economic situation. The host makes a good point when he says that public goods are never just black and white, that there's always a grey area.
Sure, a new hockey stadium would be great to see, since the Red Wings have always been able to get fans in seats and win games, but in the end I believe that the several millions of tax payers' dollars should go to something more beneficial for the rest of the city, like increased crime deterrents.
I highly recommend checking out more of EconStories' Youtube channel. They have a plethora of relevant videos that teach economics in a more enticing approach.
Here's a link to their channel.
It's a quite interesting look on today's economic situation. The host makes a good point when he says that public goods are never just black and white, that there's always a grey area.
Sure, a new hockey stadium would be great to see, since the Red Wings have always been able to get fans in seats and win games, but in the end I believe that the several millions of tax payers' dollars should go to something more beneficial for the rest of the city, like increased crime deterrents.
I highly recommend checking out more of EconStories' Youtube channel. They have a plethora of relevant videos that teach economics in a more enticing approach.
Here's a link to their channel.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Prompt #4: Considering Delivery and Style
In the many different ways to go about publishing things on economics, each form has its own style and delivery. After analyzing two pieces about the field, the first being a blog about global economics and the second being an article about "owner structure and economic performance in the largest European countries," it has come to my attention that different sources equal different styles and deliveries.
The blog post has a style and delivery more suitable for people who want a brief overview of whatever the topic is about. There are a lot of breaks and its entirety is written in short paragraphs that are easy on the eyes.
Although, the author, Mike Shedlock includes a lot of outside information from more trusted sources besides just himself. The audience, I believe, is anyone who knows and is interested in economics but isn't trying to read something very time consuming or too in depth.
Then there is the article. It is in a PDF form and is much longer than the blog post. It also has a more formal delivery than the former. With many sources and even numbers and a figure to help express the information, this piece of writing is intended for audiences who are very knowledgeable in economics and are looking for deeply detailed essays that get to a specific point. More so than the blog, this is more of a source that could be used in another essay.
Even though the article is much more in detail and formal, I still would not count out the authenticity of Mr. Shedlock. From his information he seems to be a knowledgeable man in his field. I think that either source could be trusted.
The blog post has a style and delivery more suitable for people who want a brief overview of whatever the topic is about. There are a lot of breaks and its entirety is written in short paragraphs that are easy on the eyes.
Although, the author, Mike Shedlock includes a lot of outside information from more trusted sources besides just himself. The audience, I believe, is anyone who knows and is interested in economics but isn't trying to read something very time consuming or too in depth.
Then there is the article. It is in a PDF form and is much longer than the blog post. It also has a more formal delivery than the former. With many sources and even numbers and a figure to help express the information, this piece of writing is intended for audiences who are very knowledgeable in economics and are looking for deeply detailed essays that get to a specific point. More so than the blog, this is more of a source that could be used in another essay.
Even though the article is much more in detail and formal, I still would not count out the authenticity of Mr. Shedlock. From his information he seems to be a knowledgeable man in his field. I think that either source could be trusted.
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