I've long thought that describing Economics as the 'dismal science' is only half right.
We are all biased in one way or another and look at the world each through his or her own blinkers. Academics are no different and the commercialisation of the universities has only exaggerated their focus on subsidy over scholarship.
The question is: how do we fix it?
I have my own answers in early form but I'm afraid I'm coming to the view that we will have to suffer a catastrophe in order for enough people to see reason again. Our society is structured in such a way that it's easy to continually cover up the failings of governments and institutions. Only some kind of complete breakdown will bring most people to their senses.
I love the idea of shutting down whole disciplines (starting with nutrition, or maybe sociology should be first), but the reality is they are not only not in danger, they continue to spout toxic nonsense and have their tentacles in powerful places. I'm thinking of the unholy alliance between nutrition and green on meat for example. I guess we can only keep fighting but it's very depressing.
I've long thought that describing Economics as the 'dismal science' is only half right.
We are all biased in one way or another and look at the world each through his or her own blinkers. Academics are no different and the commercialisation of the universities has only exaggerated their focus on subsidy over scholarship.
The question is: how do we fix it?
I have my own answers in early form but I'm afraid I'm coming to the view that we will have to suffer a catastrophe in order for enough people to see reason again. Our society is structured in such a way that it's easy to continually cover up the failings of governments and institutions. Only some kind of complete breakdown will bring most people to their senses.
I love the idea of shutting down whole disciplines (starting with nutrition, or maybe sociology should be first), but the reality is they are not only not in danger, they continue to spout toxic nonsense and have their tentacles in powerful places. I'm thinking of the unholy alliance between nutrition and green on meat for example. I guess we can only keep fighting but it's very depressing.
the problem is that the people making the decisions aren't the ones suffering the consequences - as long as that it is the case, nothing will change.