Mises Community Blog Project

[h.k]

@Neodoxy

1. I haven’t read as much Austrian material as I would like, I need a more thorough understanding of Austrian material, especially surrounding money and the production structure.

2. I need to gain a better understanding of mainstream economics, but hopefully by the end of this year I’ll at least gotten through my college’s intermediate courses (there’s also a possibility that I might be doing economic research for a company over this summer) so that would definitely fit this bill.

3. I really need to get a better sense of current events and history. I really don’t understand the way that a lot of economic processes work, i.e some of the stuff the fed does (I still have very little idea what exactly quantitative easing is beyond a more selective means of inflation), and extent of American regulations and taxes. I want to get a better idea about things like the history of the Middle East, 20th century European politics, and the history of American imperialism.

4. When I first found out that Hugo Boss was a designer name I shat bricks out of the sheer awesomeness level. What a… boss of a name.

Anyway, I take economics very seriously and I refuse to be one of the many in this world who spread economic fallacy, no matter what the truth about the economic science might be, as indicated by some of my mildly heterodox views around here. Furthermore I also feel ashamed at the very idea of writing about things which I don’t fully understand while expecting people to take me seriously, so until then I’ll more or less stick to basic economic theory.

My friends ask me why I refuse to vote, and I give them a similar answer to this. I’m not qualified to determine who should run this country. I’m not even qualified to determine who is the lesser evil, and I refuse to be associated with the blood that will be spilled and the damage that will be caused in my name no matter who wins. That’s why I’m an anarchist, no one is qualified to make that decision, but I digress.

I’m fairly well educated, but not enough to write extensively and specifically about most current events.

Then you are REALLY behind dude. You don’t have to read anything btw, just watch some vids.

An Austrian Critique of Mainstream Economics | Walter Block

Block does a pretty good job summarizing mainstream economics. You’ll mostly want to know about “utility”, and “opportunity cost”. These are the two largest areas where mainstream economists fail.

Short version: Microeconomics is mostly capitalist, Macroeconomics is completely socialist.

[Neodoxy]

Are there any other videos you would recommend?

I would also have to partially disagree with your assessment of microeconomics. A huge portion of micro is spent talking about market failure and the real driving forces of the market are (in my experience) treated in passing manner. They’re much more focused on graphs.

EDIT

I also have to say that I’ve often found a huge failure on behalf of mainstream economists to actually take basic economics… Seriously when applying them to current events and policy.

[katokato]

I really need to get a better sense of current events and history

Have you read the making of modern economics by mark skousen?

Its a good read. Itl broaden your view.

Hell, didnt you reccommend this one for me/?

[Neodoxy]

Yes on both counts. I have a great understanding of economic thought, it’s one of the things I’m most interested in. The problem is in my conversion of this to how it actually applies to modern events, which depends a lot on things like the tax code and financial structures, which are less than straight forward.

[h.k]

@Neodoxy

Are there any other videos you would recommend?

I would also have to partially disagree with your assessment of microeconomics. A huge portion of micro is spent talking about market failure and the real driving forces of the market are (in my experience) treated in passing manner. They’re much more focused on graphs.

EDIT

I also have to say that I’ve often found a huge failure on behalf of mainstream economists to actually take basic economics… Seriously when applying them to current events and policy.

Obviously micro is flawed but they attack Socialist price controls, Socialist taxes, etc. Economists love lower minimum wage, etc. For academia this is pretty capitalist stuff. Microeconomics is like Rothbard compared to what they teach you in Macro.

Misesmedia (click the youtube account) has great videos on Econ. As a beginner you should read some of robert murphy’s debates with Krugman. This will introduce you to a very sophisticated Austrian vs Keynesian debate.

Mises Daily | Mises Institute

[Neodoxy]

Mises Media has good stuff but oftentimes they’re going over basic things for people who haven’t heard them yet.

I’m also shocked and mildly offended at being referred to as “a beginner”. Suffice it to say that I am not.

[h.k]

@Neodoxy

Mises Media has good stuff but oftentimes they’re going over basic things for people who haven’t heard them yet.

I’m also shocked and mildly offended at being referred to as “a beginner”. Suffice it to say that I am not.

Hmm maybe you should clarify what beginner means to you? Btw I don’t think you’ve ever heard any of these Austrian retorts.

The previous post I made provides you with Austrian charts, critiques the “G-spot”, critiques the Hayek triangle, displays monetary cycle statistics pre-Fed etc. You shouldn’t have to learn much about mainstream economics if you’re advanced, imo.

[Neodoxy]

“Hmm maybe you should clarify what beginner means to you? Btw I don’t think you’ve ever heard any of these Austrian retorts.”

I most likely have, but at any rate, beginner to me means someone who hasn’t delved too deep into these issues, or read very extensively about them.

“You shouldn’t have to learn much about mainstream economics if you’re advanced, imo.”

Why? You need to know what you’re criticizing.

[h.k]

@Neodoxy

“Hmm maybe you should clarify what beginner means to you? Btw I don’t think you’ve ever heard any of these Austrian retorts.”

I most likely have, but at any rate, beginner to me means someone who hasn’t delved too deep into these issues, or read very extensively about them.

“You shouldn’t have to learn much about mainstream economics if you’re advanced, imo.”

Why? You need to know what you’re criticizing.

Your previous post sounds like a beginner post to me, to you I guess that means intermediate.

If you’ve heard of the G-spot critique and Austrian solution you’re somewhat advanced. ;]

I must have a different standard for what “beginner” is. Nevertheless I suggest Murphy vs Krugs, because that was fun to read.

[Michelangelo]

I signed up at the forum, but I don’t have the group access to discuss the blog with ya’ll. Help?

[Marko]

One caveat though: you need to explain to me how to access and use this blog. I have a little experience with Wordpress but I know next to nothing about other systems.

Sure we will, just sign up at mcb.boards.net.

I signed up at the forum, but I don’t have the group access to discuss the blog with ya’ll. Help?

You do now.

[Kakugo]

@Marko

One caveat though: you need to explain to me how to access and use this blog. I have a little experience with Wordpress but I know next to nothing about other systems.

Sure we will, just sign up at mcb.boards.net.

I signed up at the forum, but I don’t have the group access to discuss the blog with ya’ll. Help?

You do now.

I signed up and I am waiting for group access.

[Bert_B]

When will I be allowed to view what’s in the “private” area?

[abirkmanis]

I guess as soon as you pledge

Or have you already?

[Bert_B]

I guess or I wouldn’t have joined the forum.

[abirkmanis]

Last time your name was mentioned on this thread it had “expressed interest short of pledging” next to it. Let’s wait for Marko to resolve this.

Hope no feelings were hurt.

[Minarchist]

Hey folks, I had pledged some time ago but things have come up, and I haven’t had the time to write anything. The deadline is still tonight? If so, count me out on that one. Let me know if I’ve missed the boat altogether, or if I could still contribute in future. Thanks.

[abirkmanis]

No, the deadline is 15 days starting on Nov19.

So I still hope you will be able to honor your pledge

[JoshE]

Just so everyone knows, the Mises Community Blog Project has gone LIVE! at Wordpress:

http://voluntaryistreader.wordpress.com/

[abirkmanis]

And BTW, it is never too late to join. If you have an interesting idea for an article or two - why not to test it on that blog?