Economics

[eru]

I'm taking microeconomics now in college. I really don't like it but I get the feeling that parts of it are useful. For older gentlemen, do you think this class was a waste -- do you think the whole study is a waste? Or is it very beneficial.

I always found that the strategies depicted in The Art of War by Sun Tzu were always more suited for the corporate world.

[High Quality]

I minored in economics. Some of it is useful, but I'm willing to bet you're going to get taught a socialist version of economics since its the cool thing nowdays at universities.

[Fletch XXX]

Get out while you still can.

[playa]

school sucks, just quit now

[eru]

I find it easier to read the text at home and then do the study guide rather than attend the lectures.

Our teacher is a low talker and has a thick Korean accent so it's hard to here what he says.

[Mikeee]

Originally posted by eru
I find it easier to read the text at home and then do the study guide rather than attend the lectures.

Our teacher is a low talker and has a thick Korean accent so it's hard to here what he says.

They should never hire anyone who doesnt speak fluent english. Unless you're not in the good ol US of A.

[MaxDent]

I majored in International Economics. Micro is no fun and is math intensive. Macro is more theory intensive. I'm glad I took Econ rather than business because it has helped me stay well rounded and I have a better perspective of how things work. I also had great instructors.

[heymatty]

A good knowledge of micro economics is really useful.

When it comes down to it all business is ruled by supply and demand. If you study and understand micro economics you will use it in any form of business you enter.

Now macro economics whilst interesting is all conjecture, so you can skip that if you are not interested in it.

[eru]

Macro seems more interesting.

[eru]

Originally posted by Mikeee


They should never hire anyone who doesnt speak fluent english. Unless you're not in the good ol US of A.

76% of the population here is of Asian-descent. I understand him when he speaks loud -- he has this habit though of always lowering his voice by the time he finishes his sentence -- it's not the accent, it's the tone of the voice that makes it hard to hear

[booker]

I'm majoring in electrical engineering, w/ a philosophy minor but I've taken quite a few econ classes, in hindsight that should have been my minor.

While the macro shit is interesting and gives you better understanding of what is going on in the world, I think the others are right and if you pull out what is actually driving the economy and what leading indicators you should focus on based on your industry, then you can make a micro class very useful in your career.

[L0stMind]

Personally, I found micro econ to be mostly common sense and math. macro was a little more fun and not quite so much common sense for me.

I guess everyone has different outlook on things.

[ace0r]

just remember the diff. between demand and quantity demanded, you should be set

[FlyingIguana]

its beneficial to see different points of view in the business world. once you can tie everything together it makes a lot more sense and seems 10x more useful then just on its own.

they really have to simplify things in classes because there are so many variables that can throw everything into complete chaos.

[eru]

Originally posted by L0stMind
Personally, I found micro econ to be mostly common sense and math. macro was a little more fun and not quite so much common sense for me.

I guess everyone has different outlook on things.

Yep -- it is a lot of common sense and math. Too bad I suck at math.

[L0stMind]

I have the exact same problem. Statistics was killer for me. Luckily I was single at the time I went thru university.

Are you a big Sun Tzu fan? Have you managed to find a decent translation - everyone I have is lame and dry reading. Even though theories are interesting.. I'd rather read something else.

[eru]

Originally posted by L0stMind
I have the exact same problem. Statistics was killer for me. Luckily I was single at the time I went thru university.

Are you a big Sun Tzu fan? Have you managed to find a decent translation - everyone I have is lame and dry reading. Even though theories are interesting.. I'd rather read something else.

The sci-fi series i am reading right now has oodles of Sun Tzu quotes thrown around in the books. Really useful. The author even includes some anecdotes from Sun Tzu in his series as well ))))

[L0stMind]

damn you.

Care to share the series?

[eru]

The series I am reading has to be one of the best sci-fi series ever (I have read Asimov, Herbert, etc.).

It is called Chung Kuo and is written by David Wingrove. The first book was written in 1989 and the 8th and final book was written in 1997. Unfortunately, the series is out of print (it's having a sleeper success).

You can still find used copies thru amazon.com and bn.com.

Here is the URL for the first book of the series:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...lance&n=507846

CHUNG KUO by David Wingrove
Book 1: The Middle Kingdom
Book 2: The Broken Wheel
Book 3: The White Mountain
Book 4: The Stone Within
Book 5: Beneath the Tree of Heaven
Book 6: White Moon, Red Dragon
Book 7: Days of Bitter Strength
Book 8: Marriage of the Living Dark

This is an amazing series that takes place about 200 years in the future.

"The Year is 2190.

China has once again become a world unto itself and this time its only boundary is space . . . The world is City Earth, ruled by the Seven, China's new kings.

Beautiful, controlled, sensual, this high-tech society is rushing toward war between the forces of West and East, between the rebels who hunger for change and the overlords who demand stability, between the very powers of darkness and light. It will be an era of violent conflagration destined to expose the basest elements of human nature . . . and the highest dreams.

An epic that draws us into an alternative world so real, so complete that we become denizens of the new Middle Kingdom, touched by longings we never imagined. . . driven by forces as ancient as man's first breath.

Not since Asminov's Foundation books and Herbert's Dune has there been such a majestic and powerful vision of a believable other world. . . seductive, chilling, unforgettable! --"

[L0stMind]

nice, thanks - I'll check it out.

[Muffy]

I have a business degree so I took many Economics classes when I was in university. I think it is important because it helps you understand the economy and little better and what drives it. I'll admit that some of the theory is a little crazy and it is very math intensive, but in the end you will be better for suffering through it.

[eru]

Originally posted by L0stMind
nice, thanks - I'll check it out.

Nice!

Book 8 had a really small production run in USA and thus is *VERY* hard to find. I do have a copy and if you really enjoy reading the series and finally get to finsihing up book 7, give me a holler and I'll let you borrow my copy of book 8.

[mika]

Originally posted by eru
I'm taking microeconomics now in college. I really don't like it but I get the feeling that parts of it are useful. For older gentlemen, do you think this class was a waste -- do you think the whole study is a waste? Or is it very beneficial.

I study economics. Just finishing my last books in micro and macro. Beneficial? In theory yes. Not in practice - unless you work in a very big corporation/bank/government/research/university/etc, that really needs information about the economy.

But I consider it interesting myself. If you find satisfaction in understanding the theory behind the economic system, go for it..

Don't do it if your reason is that you wanna make more money, because then it won't help much or at all