I knew I kept the economics category around for a good reason. Tonight through Friday I’m going to be in Dallas because I was invited to the “Legacy of Milton and Rose Friedman’s Free to Choose” conference here at the Dallas Federal Reserve Bank. Internet access during the conference is probably not going to happen, as it’s unlikely I’ll be able catch anything wireless or just plug into the wall somewhere, so I can’t promise live-blogging of the sessions, but I can pick up a few access points here where I’m staying so I’ll try to catch up every night. I’m very excited about the oppurtunity to meet Milton Friedman, who was very influential in my early studies. His influence is undeniable, and I’m honored to be here.
The drive was long but in good company with my old friend Iram in the passenger seat. We discussed a lot of current issues, Plato’s Republic which she is also studying, and how our economic viewpoints have changed in the two years since we won the Houston and district-level Fed Challenge competition. I dropped her and her mother at their relative’s house, and made my way back by the Bank where Scott Roman, my former teacher/coach and now head of education for the Dallas Fed, lives and also where I’m crashing. It was a little tricky getting here, but now that I am the exhastion from the drive is starting to catch up with me and I think it’s time for some sleep. Breakfast at 9 tomorrow. Planning to take lots of pictures.
Good luck. Have fun!
Hello,
As I understand it, Milt Friedman’s economic theories are built around two core ideas – that acquisitiveness is the central motivation in human beings and that the free market will, more than other market strategies, tend toward a sufficient, if not equitable, distribution of wealth. When I consider this notion compared to the commercial fishing industry, it seems that fishermen are in competition with each other. They work under the assumption that as long as they compete with each other freely, if one fisherman does not bring in a ‘good catch’ because he wanted to save some tuna for tomorrow, another fisherman will gladly bring in that catch. Without regulation, it would appear that tuna, not being human, have no say in the matter and will under this unregulated, free-market system, become extinct. If you could show me how the free market system will preserve the tuna, or why it should not, I would appreciate your insight.
Thanks,
Seanan