Choose To Think

There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes “What the hell is water?”

If you have some time, read this through. (Courtesy of More Intelligent Life)

Reading DFW so often feels like seeing the voice inside my head [insert standard self-deprecatory language here about modesty and not deigning to compare oneself to a modern literary great].

The Cowboy has written about him here.

(h/t: Dish)

Ricardos & Smiths

In the realm of economics, business and politics, one of the most difficult concepts for the regular person unschooled in international economics to comprehend (please forgive the patrician demeanor) is the wealth-producing effect of trade and comparative advantage.  Everyone benefits.

In rich countries, political leaders by and large support free trade (on both sides of the aisle, to use the American phraseology), but they do a poor job of communicating this difficult concept.  And while it may be difficult, Russ Roberts demonstrates that it can be communicated clearly.  He obviously has notes as he does this podcast, but I do not believe he is reading from a script, which makes this all the more impressive.  Further, his passion and the sheer amazement, delight and hope that these ideas can bring shine through quite clearly.

This is important.  Do yourself a favor and listen.  Even if you are already well-versed in these subjects, Roberts’ way of telling the story deserves your attention.  We all need to be able to tell this story as well as he does.  Over and over and over again.

Also available here and on iTunes (2/8/10 episode).