tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.comments2023-07-08T12:28:53.416+02:00AmanuensisSimon Hallidayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04289994368497331598noreply@blogger.comBlogger285125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-26986419777261081402010-10-05T17:05:47.894+02:002010-10-05T17:05:47.894+02:00For next year...there's actually a UCT version...For next year...there's actually a UCT version of single ladies, recorded in one of the Tampon Towers featuring students and cleaners - it's quite funnyCatherinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16502688046084746172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-72505998512934454532010-09-20T19:04:30.949+02:002010-09-20T19:04:30.949+02:00Hi, Simon-
Amen, indeed. I follow a blogger (will...Hi, Simon-<br /><br />Amen, indeed. I follow a blogger (<a href="http://bilbo.economicoutlook.net/blog" rel="nofollow">william mitchell</a>) who can't say enough bad things about Mankiw and similar mainstream texts which spout what amounts to macroeconomic ideology of the sort that led to, completely failed to foresee, and was irrelevant in dealing with, the current crisis, and is still in total denial. Macroeconomics is a particularly fraught field.Burkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11158223475895530397noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-60339257155046736142010-09-12T08:33:54.486+02:002010-09-12T08:33:54.486+02:00Great lecture - thanks for posting it. Plenty of i...Great lecture - thanks for posting it. Plenty of ideas I'd like to implement or experiment with, once I can count on facilities being available - there are still far too many lecture theatres at UCT which handicap these sorts of presentations.Jacques Rousseauhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07061757728481610205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-613234310042138502010-09-08T09:04:48.297+02:002010-09-08T09:04:48.297+02:00Great list! I'm making sure UCT Libraries has ...Great list! I'm making sure UCT Libraries has a copy of all the good ones.Larahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09202556713265898826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-86694599777290006532010-09-06T08:53:00.534+02:002010-09-06T08:53:00.534+02:00Sure. I meant only "find out their preference...Sure. I meant only "find out their preferences" and then see whether the victim bias persists. It should be possible to do it...Anony Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08077107616686254136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-3261191547760209432010-09-06T08:23:59.853+02:002010-09-06T08:23:59.853+02:00Sorry Mike, but I have to disagree there. We can&#...Sorry Mike, but I have to disagree there. We can't just <i>ask</i> them. We have to give them options, with incentives and observe their behaviour. We know far too well that hypotheticals and reality just do not coincide as much as people would like to think they do. Consequently, I think we'd get far many more people saying, "Yes, I want to help lots of people" than would actually help lots of people given the opportunity.Simon Hallidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289994368497331598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-11021578259216868152010-09-05T22:04:40.315+02:002010-09-05T22:04:40.315+02:00There seems to be an obvious way to settle this de...There seems to be an obvious way to settle this debate: ask people what their preferences are about helping people, then see whether the identifiable victim effect persists. So if someone says "I want to do as much good for people as possible" (or something similar and tightened up a bit) but then still favours identifiable victims, we can say they're irrational. <br /><br />For the little that it's worth, I strongly suspect you will find a lot of irrationality of this kind.Anony Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08077107616686254136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-79105930821920177472010-08-27T16:55:17.214+02:002010-08-27T16:55:17.214+02:00As far as signalling theory is concerned a require...As far as signalling theory is concerned a requirement of making the decision to signal your type (high or low ability) is that the agent knows his or her type (level of ability) beforehand because they should know the costs of effort, time and money that the signal will cost, and therefore also understand the signal. Consequently, it's a problem if you don't know your type. My point is that the theory fails because of what you say - the stereotypes of brilliant autodidacts and absent-minded PhDs (unless these people are signalling something other than education, which they might be). <br /><br />I'm not saying that people don't know their type in all circumstances, but in at least some circumstances where economists assume that people know their types, people probably don't. I'd say that education could be one of these. <br /><br />I also wasn't saying that employers in real life actually take education as a signal of ability, but rather that the economic theory of signalling has a problem when it comes to DK. In fact, I'd say that real world employers have come up with all kinds of ways independent of education in an attempt to screen candidates for jobs themselves because of education failing as a signal and, possibly, because of DK.Simon Hallidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289994368497331598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-86418943439167355872010-08-27T16:39:52.988+02:002010-08-27T16:39:52.988+02:00Very interesting indeed, thanks.Very interesting indeed, thanks.Anony Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08077107616686254136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-47133272137058751832010-08-27T16:19:47.145+02:002010-08-27T16:19:47.145+02:00meta cognitive abilities are very important. It i...meta cognitive abilities are very important. It is interesting to note that empathy and concepts of other only evolves at ages 3-4 years. <br /><br />my guess is that metacognitive traits such as empathy probably have many forms similar to Gardners multiple intelligences. <br /><br />another interesting point is the social expectations vary from culture to culture in terms of what or how far knowledge should be stretched. asking for directions is a simple case in point.<br /><br />Warren Buffett as an investor does a great job with his concept of a "circle of competance" which he rigidly won't invest outside of. It is an internally and extrenally proscribed mental barrier limiting his actions and has served him well.<br /><br />Thanks for the post.Nick Gogertyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14564255432456707181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-47512877683947546522010-08-27T16:10:38.009+02:002010-08-27T16:10:38.009+02:00I'm not sure I see a contradiction, unless sig...I'm not sure I see a contradiction, unless signalling theory requires the ability to recognize one's own signals.<br /><br />Credentials are at best an imperfect signal of ability compared to actual performance. We all know the stereotypes of absent-minded Ph.D.s and brilliant autodidacts.<br /><br />Even in your own example, the DK victim who successfully completes an education is accurately signalling an ability to put in enough consistent effort to complete a degree program, vs. the DK victim who fails out, who signals an inability to do so. But employers don't generally think that ability to complete a degree program necessarily translates into high performance at a job in the same field--rather, it's some minimal baseline indicator.Lippardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16826768452963498005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-27974782926309135032010-08-10T02:23:14.685+02:002010-08-10T02:23:14.685+02:00Ridley is not the idiot Gray portrays him to be. H...Ridley is not the idiot Gray portrays him to be. He does not believe in "unfettered" or "unrestrained" free markets -- that's a straw man nobody believes in. We all recognize that businesses must be constrained by laws against anti-social behavior -- just as people are.<br /> As to China -- it's absurd to say this example refutes a belief in Smithian free markets. While China's government does participate in the market, the fact is that China's markets are among the most "unfettered" on earth. <br /> It's really Gray who's the idiot. His review is full of absurdities. For example, it is downright idiotic to imply that economic growth won't help poor countries cope with climate change. This disdain for economic growth is common among supercilious intellectuals who live cushy lives of affluence as a result of economic growth, and bemoan the plight of the poor while opposing everything that would actually help them become not-poor.<br />John Gray is quite simply in denial about the big picture: 1) life has gotten hugely better for the average human over the past few centuries; 2) there are powerful reasons for that, which are continuing to operate; and 3) more freedom is better than less, not only because it is morally preferable, but also because it makes people better off, with more rewarding lives. 
These are Ridley's basic messages. And also mine, in my own book: THE CASE FOR RATIONAL OPTIMISM (Transaction Books, Rutgers University, 2009), which makes quite similar points and arguments, but develops the case for optimism over a rather broader range of subject areas. See http://www.fsrcoin.com/k.htmFrank S. Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03854677212298261723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-18783960166988788072010-08-05T13:08:29.235+02:002010-08-05T13:08:29.235+02:00Brilliant! I'm looking forward to watching the...Brilliant! I'm looking forward to watching these. (I might have to ask you for dvds....)Anony Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08077107616686254136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-54544602481183795672010-08-04T13:23:33.634+02:002010-08-04T13:23:33.634+02:00Nice...
One point about the DK effect is that the...Nice...<br /><br />One point about the DK effect is that the incompetent think they're better than they are, and the more competent think they're worse than they are. So it's even WORSE for signalling theory.<br /><br />Empirical evidence > a theory some economist with physics envy came up with without much testing...Anony Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08077107616686254136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-38943653437803161342010-07-27T12:49:32.514+02:002010-07-27T12:49:32.514+02:00Thanks Jiesheng, I do my best.Thanks Jiesheng, I do my best.Simon Hallidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289994368497331598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-38487826204135632562010-07-27T12:40:21.210+02:002010-07-27T12:40:21.210+02:00Hey Mike,
The emphasis that we had on Evolutionar...Hey Mike, <br />The emphasis that we had on Evolutionary Game Theory has been removed from the course following Don's changing the course he taught in the US. It's rather sad, but it seemed as though many students struggled with the content and with Skyrms. Nevertheless, I recommend Skyrms to students who appear interested in Evolutionary Game Theory. I had fun telling them about cuttlefish and EGT as an extension of the stuff they learn.Simon Hallidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289994368497331598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-13826360699631392742010-07-26T19:38:31.171+02:002010-07-26T19:38:31.171+02:00Ah, good old Cooperation and Competition! Fond mem...Ah, good old Cooperation and Competition! Fond memories... :-)<br /><br />Still using Skyrms? Fucking fantastic book, that. Made a huge impact on me too. (Not least on how to write: taut, sparse prose -- not that I think I write nearly as well as Skyrms does).Anony Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08077107616686254136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-85215993308405721772010-07-26T14:23:08.162+02:002010-07-26T14:23:08.162+02:00Simon, this is the best review of Chang's book...Simon, this is the best review of Chang's book I've read so far. Worthy mention of what Adam Smith really meant in his WON--you are spot on to say that Smith was never a proponent of free trade--a mistake all economists--heterodox or otherwise--commonly make.Jeneral28https://www.blogger.com/profile/16332640271661260029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-79053361288947812652010-07-16T21:38:00.705+02:002010-07-16T21:38:00.705+02:00Something I forgot to mention in the post, the pho...Something I forgot to mention in the post, the photographs and video are courtesy of Alice Fuller and Marco Tranchino.Simon Hallidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289994368497331598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-51166848497306003002010-07-15T13:06:15.688+02:002010-07-15T13:06:15.688+02:00The Pope protest looks like it was a fun (and very...The Pope protest looks like it was a fun (and very worthwhile) event. Thanks for the linkage - trying to generate some unified action sure is a difficult business, but we'll keep at it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-89602607274008199402010-07-15T09:28:50.131+02:002010-07-15T09:28:50.131+02:00Also: it's now Angela Meadon. :--)Also: it's now Angela Meadon. :--)Anony Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08077107616686254136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-52754605418095574482010-07-15T07:40:36.055+02:002010-07-15T07:40:36.055+02:00Excellent.Excellent.Anony Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08077107616686254136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-60998705137752666332010-07-15T06:21:15.520+02:002010-07-15T06:21:15.520+02:00Hello all,
I am the proverbial horse's mouth ...Hello all,<br /><br />I am the proverbial horse's mouth and I am now gifting you with the Vatican's worst nightmare, now realized.<br /><br />The Vatican is being set up for a much bigger fall than most are expecting. Some amazingly damaging information about pivotal religious assertions is about to become widely available and understood. This child abuse scandal is merely proof of their absolute lack of veracity, before the real controversy is unsealed. Here's an early peak.<br /><br />Following is a link to a draft-preview of my upcoming new book for parties like yourself, who are more likely to make good use of the information. The next update is due out later this month.<br /><br /><a href="http://twocandlesticks.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Finishing the Mysteries of Gods and Symbols</a><br /><br />Peace and Wisdom,<br /><br />SevenSeven Star Handhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15707393570093417590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-85506447025300635112010-07-13T10:44:56.927+02:002010-07-13T10:44:56.927+02:00Nice post. And agreed...
The problem, of course,...Nice post. And agreed... <br /><br />The problem, of course, is definitional. ANY set of behaviours can be said to maximize SOME utility function so all behaviours can be classified either as rational or irrational, to taste. Empirical evidence on the content of utility functions are (1) sparse, (2) difficult to interpret and (3) often ambiguous or highly complex and variable. <br /><br />Given this, I'm not sure the "are people rational or not" debate is even worth having. I need to make a demotivational poster... Economics: Much of it is bollocksAnony Mousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08077107616686254136noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12974756.post-23117872393195724372010-06-28T17:22:41.870+02:002010-06-28T17:22:41.870+02:00Hi LR, thanks for the compliment. I hope that you ...Hi LR, thanks for the compliment. I hope that you have fun instructing your students on the rural/urban problem. There isn't too much literature on it in experimental economics, though I recall a paper by Simon Gaechter contrasting the responses of rural/urban people in Russia in experimental games.Simon Hallidayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04289994368497331598noreply@blogger.com