Yes, definitely typo – I’m not known for subtlety but I am know for illiteracy

Do you really think that we would get fined that much for trying to bring economic ideas to the masses in a novel way – dang regulation.

Sorry for the misunderstanding, I meant it would cost a million dollars.

We would need new staff members … although I imagine rauparaha could pull it off.

If we make a million dollars from a professional stripping operation, I will be sure to give you a cut.

Million dollar idea.

Good point.

However, surely there is some way we could make our message sexier – make it sexy, and provide an area where people can look for answers would solve a lot of things.

I guess the problem is that, often, economists recommend “do nothing” – and people struggle with that, because of the illusion of control we all harbor under as people.

I dont think you can successfully “lead the debate” by saying the same things you have been saying for the past two centuries. Protectionsism as a practical solution should be dead. It isnt. Why? The arguments against it are sound. They have been restated a million different ways.

Maybe people just get bored? Maybe they think they are being novel when they say, “yes, free trade is good – in principle”, as if they think the ‘principle’ was established in a labratory, and has never truly been tested in real life, or at least, hasnt been tested in the brand new style world we live in today.

I’m sure it has helped him – but I’m also pretty sure he believes in what he’s saying.  And I can understand why – when there are a lot of commentators suggesting the same sort of things.

The real failure of the economics discipline during this crisis has been its inability to lead the debate regarding what is happening, and what (if anything) can be done to improve outcomes.  These are the issues economists have spent their lives training to understand – but then there was no push to try and bring balance to the conversation.

I just wish I actually knew something so I could at least try – and in this case I do know that protectionism is inappropriate, so the least I can do is point out that this is the case.