tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829599.post109995646569303387..comments2024-01-28T00:20:40.933-08:00Comments on Agoraphilia: My Job Is the Most Important Job in the WorldUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829599.post-1099988403550483292004-11-09T00:20:00.000-08:002004-11-09T00:20:00.000-08:00I used to think that specializing in one thing ie:...I used to think that specializing in one thing ie: getting a phd in geology for example was to ultimately just know a whole lot about one subject only, becoming narrower as a person and paying a hefty fee in opportunity cost b/c of not being able to spend time learning other valuable things that matter in life. I valued a balanced life and thus thought that knowing one thing really well cheats a person in becoming a renaissance man. So in essence i thought it was an undesirable way to live life. <br /><br />And I also used to think that people who think that their profession is the most impt in the world were somewhat deluded and living in a matrix-like world b/c they don't see that in the grand scheme of things, it really doesn't make a whole lot of difference. I know it's a pessimistic view.<br /><br />I agree with Glen and do think that people when they go to work, they do subscribe to 'pyschological rent-seeking'. How else would we live with ourselves? (jk)<br />But, maybe some psychological rent seeking isn't all that bad for a couple of reasons. 1) It will convince/delude people into thinking that their jobs here on earth are so important that they deem it worthy to spend all their time doing that thing. But that one thing can lead to developing a cure for cancer for example. Most amazing things have developed as a result of people being passionate about something, anything.<br />2) I think if people are deluded/convinced(however you want to see it) that what they are doing is significant, they are happier. So we get a happier society excelling in their respective fields and that is good. <br />3)When people advocate their field of interest I am better informed about what other interests are out there that I've not given much thought.<br /><br />But ultimately even if other people/fields of interests push their agendas, (and they can do so all they want)people will in my opinion do/vote/advocate things that only matter to them. Each profession can all clamour our way to the top and we can reach and equilibrium/balance in level of importance. =)<br /><br />Maybe it's good to have a few healthy doses of 'pyschological rent seeking' now and then until our professions ends up defining us too much. Now that can be unhealthy. <br /><br />susanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829599.post-1099969683060467452004-11-08T19:08:00.000-08:002004-11-08T19:08:00.000-08:00What a depressingly nice post, Glen! It tasted lik...What a depressingly nice post, Glen! It tasted like caviar and champagne. Please sir, I want some more. Why are you so wise beyond your years? I think your (secondary) job over the coming years is to become even more Confucius-like, so that more pearls of wisdom come flowing out of your noggin. But, don't let all my praise go to your head. You need to stay down-to-earth and humble. Also remember, we fans are fickle and one bad post will wipe out all the good feelings from the 500 previous great ones. Above all, don't lip sync. We fans really stink. We are an undeserving bunch and really only should be fed porridge and then only one serving at that! <br />--Oliver TwistAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3829599.post-1099968639389234702004-11-08T18:50:00.000-08:002004-11-08T18:50:00.000-08:00How about this? Your evaluation of the importance...How about this? Your evaluation of the importance of an occupation is subject to random error *and* your evaluation of importance is positively correlated with your decision to take up that occupation.<br /><br />Start with the assumption that everything is equally important. I (mistakenly) think economics is more important and so choose to become an economist. You (mistakenly) think that chemistry is more important and so choose to become a chemist. Everyone's beliefs are "internally consistent", but we get different results due to differences in information across individuals.<br /><br />-Jim D.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com