Economists have allowed themselves to walk into a trap where we say we can forecast, but no serious economist thinks we can. You don't expect dentists to be able to forecast how many teeth you'll have when you're 80. You expect them to give good advice and fix problems.
Interpretation
Economists often overestimate their ability to predict future economic events, similar to how dentists cannot predict the exact number of teeth you'll have in the future.
In this quote, Tim Harford highlights the limitations of economic forecasting, suggesting that while economists may propose they can make predictions, the reality is that uncertainty in human behavior and variables in the economy make accurate forecasting nearly impossible. He compares economists to dentists, who provide valuable advice and solutions but cannot foresee long-term outcomes, emphasizing the importance of focusing on guidance rather than predictions.
In practice
This quote can be used in presentations about economic policies to underscore the importance of seeking practical advice over predictions.
It's difficult because we tend to overrate the pain of failure. We fear it too much. That's research that emerges from psychology. We think it's going to be worse than it really is. And, I think, as we get a bit older, really after we leave school or college, we quickly stop experimenting.
In certain businesses, I would say 10 failures to one success is a perfectly acceptable ratio. Because the failures die pretty quickly, they're not that expensive, and the successes can be really huge.
Success Comes Through Rapidly Fixing our Mistakes Rather than Getting Things Right the First Time.
Some men's words I remember so well that I must often use them to express my thought. Yes, because I perceive that we have heard the same truth, but they have heard it better.
Inflict not on an enemy every injury in your power, for he may afterwards become your friend.
If you haven't cried deeply a number of times, your meditation hasn't really begun.
My dear brothers, never forget, when you hear the progress of enlightenment vaunted, that the devil's best trick is to persuade you that he doesn't exist!
Many an object is not seen, though it falls within the range of our visual ray, because it does not come within the range of our intellectual ray.
After such knowledge, what forgiveness?
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