Blog articles
I enjoy observing our society and using economics to explain various phenomena in our daily lives, especially to those who are not familiar with the subject. I believe that understanding economics is important not only for policymakers but for everyone. Economics helps us better understand the world we live in and assists people in making life-altering decisions. I share my thoughts on Weixin (in Chinese) and Blogger (in English).
Books
Economists study society, or more specifically, the policies that affect it. Therefore, as economists, it's essential to understand our society not only through research papers but also by grasping how the real world operates. One excellent way to achieve this is by reading books. Here, I list some books that can help us better understand the world around us.
One of my favorite types of books is biographies. This book is like a collection of mini-biographies of people from different professions. It covers 28 different professions, each narrated from a first-person perspective, describing their daily work. After reading it, I increasingly feel that all jobs are equal and that education is not the sole determinant of working abilities. People with higher education levels may not necessarily have strong work abilities, and people with lower education levels may not necessarily have weak work abilities.
The individuals selected by the author have all been relatively successful in their fields. I found that these people share some common characteristics: they diligently search for what they love. Some of them changed several jobs before finding one they both liked and excelled at. They all love their jobs so much that they do not feel bored, even after years in the same position. Moreover, they are not afraid of making changes and continually seek opportunities throughout their lives. Many of them had already left their original positions by the time this book was published.
Another pleasant surprise is the number of female narrators in this book, even in industries that are traditionally male-dominated
Economists tell stories using data, but crafting a compelling narrative with accurate data is not always easy. It involves selecting the most suitable indicators and finding the best way to present them. Although this book is not an economics book, its stories involving GDP, the unemployment rate, the fertility rate, happiness, and other indicators serve as excellent examples for describing economic data. Additionally, stories from other areas help economics students understand each sector of our economy.
The book offers valuable insights into the factors contributing to the housing crisis, presenting a multidisciplinary perspective that complements economic theories. It explores policy implications, urban planning, and social justice aspects, encouraging us to think critically about the intersections of economics with other fields. This broader understanding is essential for developing innovative solutions to complex real-world problems like housing affordability and sustainability.
Board games
Interest is the best teacher. Economics is interesting. Even some board games are based on economic theories.
