
The "Hippie Factor"
Tim, I often read your articles because they have a point of view - a rather rare things in some parts - and because I hope to find some interesting kernel of knowledge to change my perspective of things. I hardly ever do, mostly I believe because we share very little in the way of basic philosophies, but I have to say that this comment (it doesn't rise to an "article") is pretty spot on.
I don't pretend to be immersed in current economic thought (after all, that's why I read you), but even I recognize Smith and Ricardo and I have to agree that the comments often attributed to those responsible for modern analysis in the tech area seem to be more than willing to walk away from the fundamental elements defined by these giants. Just as in incomplete equation carries little to no valuable information, the failure to acknowledge all parts of the give/receive and cost/benefit relationships renders any conclusion suspect and weak. I think we are simply living in an era (and when have we not?) where broad, sweeping, unsupported statements are more likely to bring attention than truthful, compete and thoughtfully expressed analysis. Most of all, economics is (if not a science) at least a manifestation of real-world actions and consequences.
However you express it, the fact is that these exchanges are going on all the time, and can therefore be explained, albeit through the specific prism of the observer. That the world does not share the observer's prejudices is now a sin, and can only be called a failure by the powers-that-would-be. Fox News, anyone?