Re: [A-List] JP Morgan's *$23tn* derivative bust?

[Rob Schaap <bantam@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

G'day Carrol,

> Anne Williamson wrote:
> >
> > "hedonic measures" which are to
> > economics what eubonics are to linguistics).
>
> And just what do you know about _either_ linguistics or ebonics (NOT
> "eubonics" -- your inability to get the word right does not suggest
> undue familiarity with the thing). Most linguists take ebonics verys
> seriously indeed. Almost all the public clamor about ebonics was by
> ignoramuses or deliberate liars.

Reckon you're going in a bit hard here, mate.  I read Anne as saying 'hedonic
measures' are moot - meaning different things to different people, and perhaps
according to political tendencies.  Just like some linguists claim that to
study Ebonics is to study a language (pointing to isomorphic or seminal
patterns in West African language), and others see the matter as one of
dialect (a unit seen as subordinate to (ie a variety of a) language, but one
that points to culture/class if you want it to).  If it's a dialect, it's a
deviation from a standard set by Anglo-Saxons, argue some.  And, they argue,
if it's a language, it helps substantiate and mobilise an identity-based
politics of pride and resistance.   Obviously, there's politics in that thar
science.  As there is in the art of measuring productivity in the 'information
age'.  I don't pretend to know the science of the argument, but Anne is
pointing at the continued contention/confusion and its political nature, I think.

Cheers,
Rob.

Cheers,
Rob.