tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post8917370335461812550..comments2023-11-27T23:30:40.341-05:00Comments on Anything But Theist: Interview: AnimalAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02504734487692109101noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post-19606612188439722802011-10-01T20:21:58.087-04:002011-10-01T20:21:58.087-04:00Oh, and I can't believe I forgot about this un...Oh, and I can't believe I forgot about this until I reread your comments. I didn't resort to "supply/demand" argumentation. Consumption is neither supply nor demand.<br /><br />DO yourself a favor and read up on autonomous vs. induced consumption. The economy doesn't just magically grow and progress, it is highly dependent on consumers and disposable income. When income distribution become unbalanced, wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few who spend proportionately less of the money (squirreling away billions, which can and currently is grinding the economy to a halt).<br /><br />I'm sorry, but you have absolutely no clue what you are talking about, and I doubt there is any hope for you. But don't let me discourage you from correcting your obvious errors.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02504734487692109101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post-52742229669889189502011-10-01T19:56:23.076-04:002011-10-01T19:56:23.076-04:00You think unemployment benefits gives an incentive...You think unemployment benefits gives an incentive to not work? Obviously you were never on unemployment, so you and I have that in common. And here I was thinking unemployment was high because there were no jobs. Apparently the problem is that people can afford to pay the rent, and if they couldn't they might finally sell their ass on the corner like a good capitalist.<br /><br /><i>You believe raising the minimum wage keeps people out of poverty. In fact, raising the minimum wage puts more minorities and low-skilled workers out of a job and (that's right) increases overall unemployment.</i><br /><br />Funny you blame a policy that has worked since 1933 to build up a stronger working class and a robust consumer base. Clearly it's not new conservative policies, it's a decades-proven system to blame.<br /><br /><i>You believe there is nothing wrong with a community college education, yet you attended a private university at a cost of $30k per year. Do you think that was a smart economic decision?</i><br /><br />I was kidding. Community college is for poor people (okay... now I'm kidding). For someone who says the rich are free to make any economic choices with their money that they want, you seem awfully nosy and critical of a decision that is already bought and paid for (only debt I have is my mortgage).<br /><br />But hey, thanks for fighting to keep my dad's taxes down. He didn't even think anything of giving me $35k to put down on my house last year. Apparently "trickle down" does work, if only through nepotism.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02504734487692109101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post-43070948623904235552011-10-01T17:15:39.540-04:002011-10-01T17:15:39.540-04:00Even people with impeccable credentials can be wro...Even people with impeccable credentials can be wrong. Exhibit A: Paul Krugman.<br /><br />If indeed you have all of this education in economics, why are you making elementary-level economic arguments? Your credentials don't bolster your case; they make it appear as though you didn't learn anything.<br /><br />You believe that 99 weeks of unemployment benefits are a good thing. In fact, they keep unemployment high for longer, and create economic incentives to not work.<br /><br />You believe raising the minimum wage keeps people out of poverty. In fact, raising the minimum wage puts more minorities and low-skilled workers out of a job and (that's right) increases overall unemployment.<br /><br />You believe consumption is the sole factor that drives production. In fact, [see argument above]<br /><br />You believe there is nothing wrong with a community college education, yet you attended a private university at a cost of $30k per year. Do you think that was a smart economic decision?<br /><br />Those are your true economic credentials. In fact, the only wise economic decision I've seen you make is to get your dad to buy you a car. That's wrong for a host of other reasons.Eric Norenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14648635662703229678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post-71560866779571887842011-10-01T16:47:25.968-04:002011-10-01T16:47:25.968-04:00Where did that "You know" come from? Dis...Where did that "You know" come from? Disregard that, I don't even remember writing it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02504734487692109101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post-14477148141364152082011-10-01T16:46:02.930-04:002011-10-01T16:46:02.930-04:00Consumption is the only factor which exists by vir...Consumption is the only factor which exists by virtue of nature. We will always consume, even if there is no production or capital. The division of labor, currency, and other economic developments allow us to produce products that have no prior demand, though their very existence creates a demand for consumption. Even here, production will not continue for very long if the product is not consumed.<br /><br />Consumption fuels not only all of economics, but nearly all human and animal actions (the only exception I can think of is reproduction, but I am certainly open to the idea of other endeavors being non-consumption driven).<br /><br />Besides having taken four semesters of economics in high school and two in college (macro and micro at a very expensive, $30k per year private university, not community college... though I don't see what's wrong with community college...), I read a fair amount of economic theory, with ideological backgrounds ranging from Mises to Keynes. But ultimately, it's not the economic theory I have read about which shaped my overall view, it's been history. I see studying economic theory as largely an exercise in merely understanding how the different economic schools imagine they work. History is the laboratory where real observations can be made.<br /><br /><br /><i>But you don't have that gene.</i><br /><br />I also took Biology and Genetics. I can assure you: my inability to politely listen to someone who doesn't know what they're talking about without correcting them is not in any way linked to my genetics. I think the field you want for that is Psychology, or rather, Abnormal Psych (both of which I could give you my notes on, if you're so inclined).<br /><br /><i>your three readers</i><br /><br />You think I have three? Optimist...<br /><br />You knowAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02504734487692109101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post-19272715710437586732011-10-01T16:24:14.549-04:002011-10-01T16:24:14.549-04:00You're like a kid with a new toy. It's as ...You're like a kid with a new toy. It's as though you just learned a new term and can't wait to throw it around in every argument you engage. You accuse everyone of making ad hominem attacks, but I don't think you understand what the ad hominem fallacy actually is.<br /><br />A rebuttal of your argument about consumption frankly isn't necessary. Your argument is invalid on its face, and you're the only person on the planet who doesn't see it.<br /><br />I'm guessing you attended an intro to macroeconomics course at your local community college, and stopped reading the textbook after the chapter on supply and demand. Most people with your (apparent) level of economic understanding think all economics is encapsulated in the concept of supply and demand.<br /><br />Economic activity is <i>extremely</i> complex, but I'll limit myself just to the factors you both mentioned. There is no production without capital. There is no consumption without production. There is no consumption without demand. There is no consumption without supply. Consumption is but one factor in dynamic economics, yet you arrogantly claim "It's really the only factor."<br /><br />As for what you claim was an ad hominem attack, you provide daily evidence of your inability to learn anything new, and you certainly refuse to learn anything from anyone on the right side of the political spectrum.<br /><br />When I was 27, had I heard someone describe what they think drives production, I would've had the wisdom to shut my mouth and listen to what he had to say. But you don't have that gene.<br /><br />Really, this goes back to your so-called "interview" skills. You disagree with Animal on what drives production, so you argue the point and assert what is true instead of asking clarifying questions that would've helped you understand his position as well as enlighten your three readers.Eric Norenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14648635662703229678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post-28508785107462267242011-10-01T16:06:02.682-04:002011-10-01T16:06:02.682-04:00I think it's interesting that neither you nor ...I think it's interesting that neither you nor Animal can explain how anything but consumption can drive production, but that doesn't stop you from making an ad hominem argument based solely on my economic class and my age. Very interesting, indeed.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02504734487692109101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post-91027699252125211612011-10-01T13:13:07.675-04:002011-10-01T13:13:07.675-04:00I found the following exchange to be quite interes...I found the following exchange to be quite interesting:<br /><br /><i>BRET: What do you think drives production? Magic rich people?<br />ANIMAL: Capital.<br />BRET: No.<br />ANIMAL: And demand, sure.<br />BRET: Consumption. The only thing that affects production is consumption.<br />ANIMAL: Not the only thing, no. It’s not that simple. But it’s a major factor, sure.<br />BRET: It’s really the only factor...</i><br /><br />Based on the other things I learned during this interview... Animal has an MBA, teenagers, and has lived in at least one other country... Bret is 27 and drives a Prius that his dad bought for him...<br /><br />Bret, you have the confidence of a young man who still has a lot to learn. You seem unwilling to learn from anyone else.<br /><br />I know more than I did 10 years ago. I'll know even more 10 years from now. You seem to think you know it all at the age of 27. I think you need to be more aware of the things you don't know yet, and you'll learn a lot more in your life.Eric Norenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14648635662703229678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post-49915825845488299912011-09-29T20:51:16.472-04:002011-09-29T20:51:16.472-04:00good, but longgood, but longAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post-68981099536650400032011-09-29T16:55:20.483-04:002011-09-29T16:55:20.483-04:00Easily solved then don't ride one.Easily solved then don't ride one.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post-43061632427714671072011-09-28T21:52:33.364-04:002011-09-28T21:52:33.364-04:00I don't hate them, I hate being on them.I don't hate them, I hate being on them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02504734487692109101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5721082653718997788.post-75850807811371998132011-09-28T21:51:54.921-04:002011-09-28T21:51:54.921-04:00Good interview, except for the motorcycle hate.Good interview, except for the motorcycle hate.machttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04073782907747032366noreply@blogger.com