Category The Soapbox

Apr 7 2014

Economics Is Super Hard, Y’all (Part II)

“There is only one difference between a bad economist and a good one: the bad economist confines himself to the visible effect; the good economist takes into account both the effect that can be seen and those effects that must be foreseen.”

-Frédéric Bastiat

When dealing with the economic effects of a policy it is paramount that we are able to see the unseen. In my debate with Mr. S last week several studies on minimum wage effects were referred to but not sufficiently analyzed (my bad). Especially in regards to the Krueger & Card study, it is important to realize that economists with an agenda will make the info say what they want the info to say. For example: the gender gap!

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Mar 31 2014

Economics Is Super Hard, Y’all (Part I)

EconCollage

“The most difficult subjects can be explained to the most slow-witted man if he has not formed any idea of them already; but the simplest thing cannot be made clear to the most intelligent man if he is firmly persuaded that he knows already, without a shadow of doubt, what is laid before him.” Leo Tolstoy

In case you haven’t heard, lately there’s been a lot of debate concerning the minimum wage. Opinions are varied but among those who are most outspoken on the matter, most want the wage to be raised to $11 per hour. Every side brings up important points, but what most human beings forget to do when debating is to let the facts dictate opinion instead of the other way around. This may bother you, and if it does I hope very much to convince you, but I believe that the minimum wage ought to be abolished. As in, a $0 minimum wage. And about 50% of economists agree on that point. If you don’t, but you’re open-minded and willing to learn, read on.

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Jul 22 2013

The Fables of Everett (Fable #1)

Fable #1

Many thousands of years ago, when our fragile race was still new, there lived two men who were quite gifted, but also quite poor. The first man had a knack for sewing clothes but hungered for want of food. The second man quite skillfully grew vegetables but cried in pain, for his back was scorched by the fires of the sun. One day the first man took up an armful of his clothes while the second man carried a bushel of his crops. Desperately the two wandered aimlessly until after a while they happened upon one another.

The hungry seamster and the naked farmer stood at a distance with their wares, each having what the other wanted. Lo, there was but one misfortune keeping them from quenching their desires. The government had not been invented yet, so these two merchants were incapable of trading with one another. Without the economic guidance of the government, they could only stare at one another, dumbfounded. O, how happy we are, for without the government we all would be everlastingly poor!

Apr 1 2013

Free Coffee Coupons! Inquire Within!

OK, That title was the bait, now time for the switch.
I decided to try something a little different with the way I discuss things and wrote this monologue as I thought it up. As with any free writing exercise, I started typing and didn’t stop until I was done; essentially producing a stream of consciousness diatribe. It’s guaranteed more invigorating than a nice cup of tea (once you’re down to just the leaves)! Anyway, I didn’t change any words since finishing. I only added punctuation, edited spelling, etc., and inserted links for your browsing enjoyment.
Sep 5 2011

Why Appreciate Games?

Whys are more important than hows.

by John “Who else?” Everett

Hello, there. In my article on Oregon Trail, I briefly explained the reasons for doing this series. Now I would like to add more detail. If you are not a gamer and you’re skeptical about the virtues of this medium, I hope that this will convince you to appreciate games. Even if you are a gamer, I think you’ll still have something to gain from this.

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Jul 15 2011

A Vindication of the Rights of Babies

There is so much scientific proof that an embryo is a living human being with a right to live, that no one can justify abortion on any grounds whatsoever. I encourage you to read and share the following. If you support abortion, I hope that this will change your mind, and if you don’t support it, I hope that this will empower you with the knowledge and reasoning necessary to change the minds of others.

This link leads to the article in .pdf format, or you can read it in plain text below.

(Note: I have replaced my original article, written in 2011, with a much better one written in 2019. That is why this blog entry is dated 2011/07/15 but the article contained within gives a date of 2019/04.)

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