Not a blog but a "q-and-a" (pronounced "quanda"), this page is about the basics of economics. Its premise: there are no stupid q's. And if some a's seem dim, take heart: I can brighten them up in response to objections, corrections, refinements. Comments on posts feature yours, and my responses. Enough of you now frequent and query the quanda that I post most every day. Haven't seen your q yet? Send it again. All a's should be taken with a shaker of sodium chloride, if not a Lot's-wife's-worth. And speaking of salt, the mustache and "hair" in the photo has a lot less of that condiment, and rather more pepper, than can be seen on TV. Think of it as time travel.
You seemed disbelieving (in your report on American Manufacturing, which aired on Nov. 29) that a merchant vessel could sink, or that it happens very often.
Name:
Stan
City & State:
North Stonington, Conn.
Question/Comment: You seemed disbelieving (in your report on American
Manufacturing, which aired on Nov. 29) that a merchant vessel could sink, or that it happens very often. Check out this as one source for information on world marine casualties. Actually, it could make an interesting topic for a segment.
Paul Solman: Very interesting. Although, let this be the occasion for my explaining that when I (and other reporters, too) express disbelief on camera, it's often to drum home a point - to call attention to something surprising. I caught a hail of e-mail flak twice within the past year when I asked especially skeptical questions of two interviewees. I did so to goad them into coming back at me, making their arguments more forcefully. The interviewees both expressed gratitude afterwards. But a number of viewers took umbrage on the interviewees' behalf.
Bottom line: You can't win 'em all. But at least I now have a forum to explain these things.
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Comments
You seemed disbelieving (in your report on American Manufacturing, which aired on Nov. 29) that a merchant vessel could sink, or that it happens very often.
Question/Comment: You seemed disbelieving (in your report on American
Manufacturing, which aired on Nov. 29) that a merchant vessel could sink, or that it happens very often. Check out this as one source for information on world marine casualties. Actually, it could make an interesting topic for a segment.
Paul Solman: Very interesting. Although, let this be the occasion for my explaining that when I (and other reporters, too) express disbelief on camera, it's often to drum home a point - to call attention to something surprising. I caught a hail of e-mail flak twice within the past year when I asked especially skeptical questions of two interviewees. I did so to goad them into coming back at me, making their arguments more forcefully. The interviewees both expressed gratitude afterwards. But a number of viewers took umbrage on the interviewees' behalf.
Bottom line: You can't win 'em all. But at least I now have a forum to explain these things.
