Comments on: I Can’t Learn From You

By: ProfSwitzer

ProfSwitzer — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:52:44 +0000

G-Dawg — tell him to read a history book and he’ll see that the reason NZ’s agricultural industry is one of the best in the world is because decades ago the NZ government ceased all farm subsidies and the farmers had to work to be productive to stay alive. They did, and they thrived like never before.

By: G-Dawg

G-Dawg — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:11:09 +0000

So I’m teaching an intro to Micro class to 10th grade students here in New Zealand. We’re currently learning the difference between changes in quantity demanded and changes in demand. While the students were working on their workbooks, one student asked me “why are we learning this? Isn’t it clear now that capitalism is failing? aren’t we wasting are time knowing that all this will soon be irrelevant?”.

I congratulated him for taking the effort to think outside of the box. I then told him whatever your political ideology, the principles of supply and demand still hold the same meaning (wait, do anarchists accept SD theory?). I don’t think he quite got my point. At least he has 3 years until he can enrol in a college course.

By: Chris NMU

Chris NMU — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 20:34:59 +0000

I feel bad for the student who chose to drop Micro from you. The reason I was an econ minor was because of your micro/macro classes. They gave me a solid foundation in economic principles that continues to help me every day. While reading this, I could actually recall most of the big fancy economic terms and theories behind them, which is impressive 3 years after the fact.

It’s a shame that in the next few years this kid will be let lose on society. Hopefully his Poli Si classes will help him develop an understanding differing viewpoints.

Either way thanks for the well tought classes.

By: kb

kb — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:36:17 +0000

Interestingly, if you read Bryan Caplan’s Myth of the Rational Voter, you learn that surveys find economists typically are Democrats, just that they’re Democrats who believe in free trade, dislike minimum wage laws, &c. BTW, Dave, had the same thing happen to me periodically in my classes. At least yours will tell you to your face. I kind of respect that.

Ben, conservative students end up learning more because of this: They are compelled to defend their views by challenging professors. When liberal students find someone to challenge them, it’s often after they leave the university. They are less prepared.

By: Ben Blomgren

Ben Blomgren — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:30:01 +0000

I found it harder to learn from your classes and I agree with your political and economic biases’! Folks like this individual who close off such as this are much more susceptible to having their view changed when they are unwilling to challenge their viewpoint. If this guy cannot accept that there is an alternative way to look at things then his rationale is empty and without merit. He is no better than the person who chooses to disconnect themselves from economic or political matters. Taking a side without knowing the basics behind the opposing viewpoint gives you no method for debate, contrast, or any other type of intellectual growth. Also… if I were to have taken this method of dealing with bias at the two universities I’ve gone to then I would have dropped at least two classes per semester. Haha!