4. “The conference handbook” (1982) by George Stigler
There is an ancient joke about the two traveling salesmen in the age of the train. The younger drummer was being initiated into the social life of the traveler by the older. They proceeded to the smoking parlor on the train, where a group of drummers were congregated. One said, “87,” and a wave of laughter went through the group. The older drummer explained to the younger that they traveled together so often that they had numbered their jokes.
The younger drummer wished to participate in the event and diffidently ventured to say, “36.” He was greeted by cool silence. The older drummer took him aside and explained that they had already heard that joke.
(In another version, the younger drummer was told that he had told the joke badly.)
Economists travel together a great deal, and there is no reason why the discussions which follow the presentation of papers should not utilize a handbook of commentary.
The following is a preliminary list of numbered comments, which itself will cover a large share of the comments elicited in most conferences.
- I can be very sympathetic with the author; until 2 years ago I was thinking along similar lines.
- This paper contains much that is new and much that is good.
- Theorizing is not fruitful at this stage: we need a series of case studies.
- Case studies are a clue, but no real progress can be made until a model of the process is constructed.
- The conclusions change if you introduce uncertainty.
- The central argument is not only a tautology, it is false.
I have hopes that Economic Inquiry will republish this article on the 40th or 50th anniversary of its original publication....MORE
[S]tatus is tied to the manufacture of certain types of implements called “modls.” The status of the adult male is determined by his skill at making the “modl” of his “field.” The facts (a) that the Econ are highly status-motivated, (b) that status is only to be achieved by making “modls,” and (c) that most of these “modls” seem to be of little or no practical use, probably accounts for the backwardness and abject cultural poverty of the tribe.
The dominant role of “modl” is perhaps best illustrated by the (unfortunately very incomplete) accounts we have of relationships between the two largest of the Econ castes, the “Micro” and the “Macro”… If a Micro-Econ is asked why the Micro do not intermarry with the Macro, he will answer “They make a different modl,” or “They do not know the Micro modl.”
It would be to fail in one’s responsibility to the Econ people to end this brief sketch of life in their society without a few words about their future. The prospect for the Econ is bleak. Their social structure and culture should be studied now before it is gone forever.
HT: MoneyBeat
