The best reason for blogging

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A short post by Tyler Cowen at Marginal Revolution lays down what I think is the most important element of economics blogging.

People who learn economics through the blogosphere also receive feedback, especially if they sample dialogue across a number of blogs of differing perspectives.  The feedback comes from which arguments other people found convincing.  Do the points you wanted to hold firm on, or cede, correspond to the evolution of the dialogue?  This feedback is not as accurate as Rybka but it’s an ongoing test of your fluid intelligence and your ability to revise your opinion.Not many outsiders understand what a powerful learning mechanism the blogosphere has set in place.

For both the author, readers, and people that comment that blogging experience adds value, not just from the initial post, but from the conversation that takes place following the post.

I know my reasons for blogging are purely selfish.  I want people to tell me why I’m wrong about things, and how I can improve my understanding of issues.  Furthermore, I like the idea of having a historical record of my opinions – so if similar events happen in the future I can quickly jog my own memory.

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About Matt Nolan

Matt Nolan is an economist at Infometrics (although the opinions expressed are independent of the organisation) . Email: matt@tvhe.co.nz; nolan.matt@gmail.com; matt@infometrics.co.nz. Work phone: 04-496-5290

  • http://interest.co.nz/ratesblog Bernard Hickey

    Matt,

    You’re right about this one. Sorry. I know you’re looking to be told you’re wrong, but this is right on the money.

    cheers
    Bernard

  • http://www.tvhe.co.nz Matt Nolan

    @Bernard Hickey

    There is no way I’m looking to be told I’m wrong here (although I have no doubt someone will say I’m wrong ;) ) – I completely agree with it.

    Economics is an inexact social science, being able to open it up to discussion and the such is insanely useful.

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  • http://www.headitorial.co.nz David Reeve

    I agree as well. And, this is the first time I have seen this thought put so well. I am just beginning this journey and your post has reinforced for me (and more tangibly) why I am starting.

    For me many subject areas (including ones that tend to be described as exact sciences) are, in practice, actually so complex that they are not as exact as relevant experts would claim. I am from the energy industry and would be considered an expert, but I don’t think debate in my industry is anything as near to as creative or as inclusive as it should be. Even here opening energy up to discussion and the such would be “insanely useful”.

    The only problem I have had in my early toe dipping to blogging is how to find the discussion group that you want.

  • http://working-on.me Annaly

    Nothing beats blogging for a two way conversation with the world.

  • http://www.wedgeim.com Mike

    Well I am jsut beginning my blogging run and I just keep learning as I go. I doesn’t matter why you blog but it matters to ask does it add value?

  • http://www.blogitud.com anissa

    i personally think that the main reason is to discuss , have many points of views, and see what content of the blog is talking about from different angles

  • http://www.abetterstay.com/blog/ Vacation Blog

    I couldn’t agree with you more on this. Blogging is such a valuable communication tool. Where else can you have conversations like that with total strangers from around the world?

  • http://cerita-dewasa.us cerita dewasa

    Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon….