We’re seeing another burst of intentional misunderstanding by economists. This particular idiocy has been going on since the 90s.
Economists say that “the economy” is performing beautifully. All of their numbers are going in the correct direction. The Dow is going up to the moon. Bitcoin is going up to the moon. Bezos is flying up to the moon lit and fig.
Actual people are misinformed because actual people mistakenly believe that they can’t pay the rent or the groceries. Why do people insist on misinforming themselves? Everything is perfect!
This door is perfect. Economists say that a door should cost $150.00, and this door was bought for $187, so it’s 24.67% BETTER THAN PERFECT! Why are Polistra and friends unhappy with the MORE THAN PERFECT DOOR?
Because a door is not meant to cost a certain number of dollars. A door is meant to protect the house from air and unwanted people and animals. A door is meant to satisfy the doorjamb, no matter how many arbitrary dollars it costs.
An economy is not meant to generate a certain number of jobs and GDP as defined in arbitrary and CONSTANTLY CHANGING WAYS by economists. An economy is meant to satisfy the basic needs of humans. People should have useful jobs, and people should be able to buy food and housing and a few pleasures without going into debt.
When people lack useful work, and when people can’t pay for food and housing, the economy is fucked.
Doors should be measured by how well they fit the casing, regardless of other considerations. Economies should be measured by how well they fit human needs, regardless of other considerations.
This is basic metrology. You can’t measure a thing unless you know why you’re measuring, and how the measurement will influence the manufacture or repair of the object. When you change the measurement arbitrarily every year, you’re NOT MEASURING AT ALL. Your numbers are USELESS. They can’t be compared with other measurements or the real baseline. EVERY MEASUREMENT IS A COMPARISON OR JUDGMENT, NOT A NUMBER.
Polistra's Mill 