169
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] star_wraith@hexbear.net 72 points 11 months ago

People talk about “Econ 101”, but even in my actual Macro 101 course, taught by a libertarian professor, we had good discussions about how broad metrics like “GDP growth”, “inflation”, or “unemployment” in themselves can be distorted or meaningless without drilling down and really understanding the numbers. The example the prof used was talking about a low unemployment rate but if a lot of people have just given up looking for work then just looking at that one rate will tell you very little about what’s really going on.

I just think it’s that libs know the economy sucks and are scared shitless because a bad economy means Trump wins.

[-] absolutefuckinidiot@lemmygrad.ml 47 points 11 months ago

The whole “econ 101” bit has always been hilarious to me because in any other field of study I feel like the general understanding is a “101” course, undergrad whatever, is going to be intentionally simplified for the purposes of teaching broader ideas but as you learn more you find these explanations are inadequate on many levels. With economics however that surface level understanding is apparently enough to allow you to speak with confidence

[-] BurgerPunk@hexbear.net 24 points 11 months ago

With economics however that surface level understanding is apparently enough to allow you to speak with confidence

smuglord surface level understanding is all i need. Checkmate tankie

[-] Quexotic@hexbear.net 16 points 11 months ago

Exactly. This is the level of understanding employed by those saying that the economy is doing well. It's a cynical tactic to paint it in a rosy light as the wage workers struggle.

Also, I've only been through 100 level econ classes and it's clear that the economic metrics in use are not particularly meaningful.

[-] quarrk@hexbear.net 40 points 11 months ago

I just think it’s that libs know the economy sucks

Many will admit it, but they believe it is either unavoidable or delayed effects from Trump (may be partially true)

As well, the natural cycle of capitalist crisis leads people to think that a downturn is in fact a good thing because it means the recovery is already coming. It shields systemic flaws and corruption from any attention because obvious wrongs are construed as natural.

[-] Elon_Musk@hexbear.net 19 points 11 months ago

A 5% unemployment rate is "optimal" iirc and record low unemployment is actually a bad economic indicator according to the federal reserve.

[-] DefinitelyNotAPhone@hexbear.net 24 points 11 months ago

The 5% unemployment goal is to ensure there's a reserve army of labor to depress wages. You're absolutely right that libs are ignoring the cognitive dissonance of ignoring that part of their ideology.

[-] DragonBallZinn@hexbear.net 6 points 11 months ago

Yep, I'm a lieutenant in the reserve army of labor right here.

[-] Gosplan14_the_Third@hexbear.net 14 points 11 months ago

The example the prof used was talking about a low unemployment rate but if a lot of people have just given up looking for work then just looking at that one rate will tell you very little about what’s really going on.

That's something everyone in Italy and Poland knows lol, the joys of long economic crises.

[-] DragonBallZinn@hexbear.net 6 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

if a lot of people have just given up looking for work then just looking at that one rate will tell you very little about what’s really going on.

And this is exactly what's going on. Why are people going to even bother applying when porky-happy is so picky? If everyone "only hires the best" and I'm not "the best" why should I even bother applying?

this post was submitted on 26 Dec 2023
169 points (100.0% liked)

the_dunk_tank

15917 readers
1 users here now

It's the dunk tank.

This is where you come to post big-brained hot takes by chuds, libs, or even fellow leftists, and tear them to itty-bitty pieces with precision dunkstrikes.

Rule 1: All posts must include links to the subject matter, and no identifying information should be redacted.

Rule 2: If your source is a reactionary website, please use archive.is instead of linking directly.

Rule 3: No sectarianism.

Rule 4: TERF/SWERFs Not Welcome

Rule 5: No ableism of any kind (that includes stuff like libt*rd)

Rule 6: Do not post fellow hexbears.

Rule 7: Do not individually target other instances' admins or moderators.

Rule 8: The subject of a post cannot be low hanging fruit, that is comments/posts made by a private person that have low amount of upvotes/likes/views. Comments/Posts made on other instances that are accessible from hexbear are an exception to this. Posts that do not meet this requirement can be posted to !shitreactionariessay@lemmygrad.ml

Rule 9: if you post ironic rage bait im going to make a personal visit to your house to make sure you never make this mistake again

founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS