Lars P. Syll

Tweedledum and Tweedledee Economics Krugman’s entire essay is about two groups, both deeply entrenched at (what they believe to be) the top of academic economics. Both are deeply preoccupied with their status and with a struggle for influence and for academic power and prestige — against the other group. Krugman calls them “Saltwater” and “Freshwater” economists; they tend to call themselves “New Classicals” and the “New Keynesians” … The two groups share a...

How to think about statistics  [embedded content] If anything, Gelman’s talk underlines how important it is not to equate science with statistical calculation. All science entail human judgement, and using statistical models doesn’t relieve us of that necessity. Working with misspecified models, the scientific value of statistics is actually zero — even though you’re making valid statistical inferences! Statistical models are no substitutes for doing real...

 [embedded content] YouTuberinnen und YouTuber sprechen auf ihren Kanälen über Politik. Und erreichen ein Millionenpublikum. Rezos Video ging viral. Mehr als dreizehn Millionen Menschen haben es geklickt.

 [embedded content] [h/t Jan Milch]

Nancy Cartwright on causal inference  [embedded content]

Poupée de cire, poupée de son  [embedded content] France Gall 1947-2018. R.I.P.

Uskali Mäki on the ’empirical turn’ in economics  [embedded content]

Alesina’s ‘expansionary austerity’ — a tale of scientific delusion Alberto Alesina has returned to the debate on budget deficits, austerity, and growth … Now, with fellow economists Carlo Favero and Francesco Giavazzi, Alesina has written a new book entitled Austerity: When It Works and When It Doesn’t … New book, old tune. The authors’ conclusion, in a nutshell, is that “in certain cases the direct output cost of spending cuts is more than compensated for...

Please tell me what we’ve learned  [embedded content] [h/t Nanikore]

Julia Kristeva — renowned​ literary theorist and spy Throughout the recent, highly public exchange of claims and counterclaims, accusations and counteraccusations, Kristeva has expressed concern that her reputation as an engaged intellectual would be unfairly and permanently harmed. In truth, however, the damage had been done long ago, the cumulative effect of her uncritical support, as a member of the Tel Quel circle, for left-wing dictatorships during the...