Economyths

David Orrell

Why I looked at this book

I'm interested in the new ideas for economics, in particular those involving computer models, and ways of getting away from the idea that the current inequality is inevitable. I hope that this book will have plenty to say on these matters.

First impressions

The introduction describes how the failures of economic models played a large part in the financial crisis of 2008 and goes on to introduce the misconceptions put forward by economists which are dealt with in the chapters of this book. The first chapter deals with the idea that economics can be like physics. I have my doubts about such arguments, especially since Orell makes the point that he has a background in natural science, and so expects to bring new ideas to economics. I'm looking forward though to seeing how he describes the failings of economics, and hope to get some ideas of what might be done about these failings.