I was asked to provide in less than 3 minutes some inspirational and aspirational comments to graduates at the University of York this month, on the occasion of being awarded an honorary degree from the University. This is what I intended to say, though I think I forgot to include some of it when I rose up to make my remarks.
As graduates, you are part of a small minority of the world’s population whose lives will be shaped by decisions you make, individually and collectively, instead of decisions made for you.
What can an economist like me advise you? As economists, our advice has not always been, shall we say, problem-free. As a great economist once said, god created economists to make astrologers look good. I can only offer a few principles I’ve tried to live by.
Question the truth; but don’t give up the search for it. Be a skeptic, not a cynic.
Seek wisdom; shun cleverness. It’s the first that will get you where you want to go.
Learn from history and respect tradition. But use them to grow your imagination and expand the range of the feasible in the present and future.
Be suspicious of conventional wisdom. By the time an idea becomes conventional wisdom, it is almost always wrong, because so many of the caveats and limitations have been shoved aside.
Always ask for a second opinion. And never take what an economist says, about these or anything else, as the final word.
Congratulations.
The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.
Posted by: David Martin | September 03, 2019 at 02:28 AM
You did actually say almost all this and more in a different order (though you may have missed the Galbraith quote on astrology). As someone in the audience it sounded good at the time. See https://youtu.be/PPc07_AYqLw?t=10329
Posted by: Henry | September 24, 2019 at 07:43 PM
Your post is so interesting! You inspired me to read more about this!
https://cheap-papers.com/write-my-discussion-board-post.php
Posted by: Albert | July 30, 2021 at 01:43 AM