General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOh, Paul Krugman, here is why I love you!
his blog today in the NYT:
Feb 9, 7:21 pm 1
Whos Savvy Now?
Via Digby, Jay Rosen has a very good piece on how some reporting on the CBO report was distorted by what he calls the cult of the savvy. It goes beyond what I said about second-order journalism; Rosen argues that theres a value system at work, where being in the know about political maneuvering is considered all-important, whereas understanding the actual policy issue is for the drones.
The thing is, my read and yes, Im doing a bit of second-order journalism myself for a moment, but bear with me is that the CBO affair actually ended up hurting Republicans. By the end of the week a barrage of press reports, plus those mighty figures Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, had effectively changed the story from CBO predicts massive job losses to Republicans lie about CBO report. In reality, its unlikely that it would have mattered at all even if the first story had stuck. But to the extent that such things matter at all, Republicans ended up losing the week.
So the savvy cultists were wrong even on their own terms. And notice why they were wrong: It never occurred to them that understanding the real issues might matter, and so they were caught completely off guard when Republican lies about policy matters produced a backlash.
So heres a radical thought: Maybe the truly savvy thing is to take policy seriously, not to pretend that its all a game, and that only you understand the rules?
malthaussen
(17,216 posts)... but I'm pretty sure they're still cashing their paychecks.
-- Mal
CTyankee
(63,912 posts)and in Dr. K's.
At least, Paul Krugman has standards...he does his homework, unlike some of his more notable detractors...(are you listening Joe Scarborough?)...
malthaussen
(17,216 posts)... of course, I'm assuming and inflicting my own cynical assessment on these turkeys, but their desire is not to do something brave and true, but to make a lot of money. Whereas Mr Krugman would appear to have an earnest desire to seek the truth.
But that doesn't pay well. Hell, I've been seeking truth all my life, and I'm one inch from the street.
-- Mal
CTyankee
(63,912 posts)He is constantly out there debating them, both on the political front and as an economist (you can get completely lost in his blogs labeled "wonkish," so don't try...but understand that this is what he DOES as an economist).
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)But they covered it up. You know, just like 911.
Scuba
(53,475 posts)Electric Monk
(13,869 posts)CTyankee
(63,912 posts)TheMathieu
(456 posts)He's one of the most annoying hacks of all.