Re: Holistic properties & National Accounting

[John Gelles <jjgelles@xxxxxxxx>]

	1.  I have read and followed a great deal of the most
	    recent posts in this discussion.

	2.  I am familiar with the chicken and egg puzzle.

	3.  I am familiar also with the difference between
	    summations and disaggregated transaction data
	    storage used in simulations.

	4.  I believe there is some difference between
	    very concrete language and very abstract ideas.

	5.  In the apples and pears economy it seemed to me
	    we were leaving the world where the sum of all
	    crop values at any point in time was so large
	    a number that the money value itself had a
	    certain quality of inertia.  It presented a
	    macro quantity that could withstand the shock
	    of wide fluctuation in its components without
	    losing usefulness as a macro measure -- unless
	    of course a single component was in fact
	    a constraining element in a process under
	    review.

	6.  Par 5 represents what happens if we allow a
	    little abstraction to get hold of our mind.

	7.  My point is this: This thread must move to
	    the most concrete use of language. It must
	    avoid chicken and egg puzzles.  It must
	    precede each section with a statement of
	    its objective:  In terms of creating a
	    measurement of labor costs incurred in
	    production that allows useful comparison
	    over time, the objective ought to state
	    the measurement problem and solution.

	    In terms of measuring product values for
	    comparison, or of measuring aggregate
	    product values, the same rule applies --
	    "what is YOUR problem" (that I must be
	    aware of) and how does your proposal solve
	    that problem.

	8.  Be sure to number your paragraphs.  And
	    really try to avoid those edgy words that
	    make the audience feel your respect for
	    contrary opinion is waning.

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