May 25, 2006
Advice for Grad Students
Greg Mankiw has pulled together some links to good advice for econ grad students from a number of sources. There's advice on topics like finding a research topic, how to write a paper, and navigating the PhD job market. He has previously posted similar advice for undergraduate students.
Posted by kfolger at 11:49 PM | Comments (0)
Who wants to be an economist?
A survey by the National Association of Colleges & Employers points out one reason someone might choose to major in economics--money. The average starting salary for econ grads is the 6th highest among undergraduate majors. This year's average, $45,191, was up 11% from a year ago. The highest paid majors are chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering, computer science, and accounting.
Money not a motivator? How about women? Olympic gold medal speed skater Joey Cheek is planning to study economics. When interviewed for last week's Parade magazine he explained that he plans to study economics because "that's what gets the chicks."
Posted by kfolger at 11:16 PM | Comments (0)
Sir Dismal's Science
The Daily Show's John Hodgman explains how economics became known as the "dismal science".
- Jon Stewart: Uh, the way you've explained the tax cuts doesn't really seem fair.
John Hodgman: Fairness isn't really the point. They don't call economics the dismal science because it's fair.
JS: Well, I suppose not.
JH: No, no, they call it that after Sir Eustice Dismal. The 18th century English economist who proposed making smokestacks out of children.
JS: I uh, I actually never knew that.
JH: Yes, it was a very interesting proposal but ultimately flawed. I mean if you make the smokestacks out of children who will you force to clean them?...
JH: Yes, it's referred to as Dismal's paradox.
The true story of the origin of the phrase is actually pretty interesting and has nothing to do with either Sir Eustice Dismal or even Thomas Malthus.
Posted by kfolger at 09:38 PM | Comments (0)
May 15, 2006
New journals from the American Economic Association
David Warsh is reporting that the Executive Committee of the American Economic Association has authorized the creation of 4 new journals. The four have each been titled, tentatively, American Economic Journal: with the sub-title to follow the colon:
According to Warsh, "Vanderbilt's John Siegfried, secretary-treasurer of the AEA, said that the current plan is to make all four of the new journals available to members electronically for no increase in their dues, and to make all four journals available in print to libraries for a modest increase in subscription prices per journal when each is published (probably in the $75-$100 range for each new journal). Individuals will have the option also to purchase print copies for a modest price."
Posted by kfolger at 10:37 PM | Comments (0)
April 27, 2006
The Dismal Science, I Think Not!
The grad students at the Columbia Business School have created a hilarious music video lampooning their dean's disappointment at Ben Bernanke being named as Alan Greenspan's replacement as chairman of the Federal Reserve instead of him.
Posted by kfolger at 03:18 PM | Comments (0)
