Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in Ethan's LiveJournal:

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Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
10:47 pm	Oomph When I hear the phrase delivered with a smirk, "It's obvious that," I reach for my oomph. I have always believed in oomph . . . I get very upset by the unsupported sneering that dominates academic life, the rhetoric of oomph-less ideology. I think a socialism needs to show that some new government intervention will do better than in the past. That's why I admire Baran and Sweezy's great (and mistaken work): it tries to show that Marxism has oomph, rather than merely asserting it. A capitalism need show that competition actually works. That's why I admire [Milton] Friedman's great (and mistaken) work: it tries to show that monetarism and free markets have oomph, though sometimes by merely asserting it. . . I know it looks like my work splits into numbers and words, cliometrics and rhetoric. But don't you see, gentle reader, that both are radically oomphist? That both ask, "How do you know?" Sometimes the answer is, "Because total factor productivity was not hugely different between Britain and America," or "Because the correlation of yields in close fields is small enough to make scattering worthwhile." And sometimes (more times than a simpleminded positivist would imagine, as I've come to realize) it is, "Because of all the good reasons one might believe that markets are integrated internationally, they are integrated internationally, despite the insistence of one-instrument folk that they are not." Or, "Because the question is one of meaning, not of behavior." --Deirdre McClosky, "Preface," Meaning and Measurement in Economics I'm in two classes that have been jangling with me lately: my econometrics class and my honors thesis class. There is very little way to do an honors thesis in economics here that is not essentially an econometrics study. Econometrics is the attempt of economists to isolate causal relationships and trends in the grand morass that is economic data: messy, uncontrolled, and largely nonexpermental observations. This involves using a lot of math to try and cleverly cope with the problems for making inference about other situations that arise from this problematic data. A big problem I run across in many papers I read is the exaggerated confidence that some econometricians derive from the illusory precision that econometrics give, while dismissing unobservable factors. I've read fancy econometric papers that are very convincing and seem important, and many equally fancy ones that are thoroughly unconvincing. Tonight I've been taking a break from doing my classwork to read up on the issues, philosophy, assumptions, and history of econometrics, so that I can try and figure out what I'm actually doing with econometrics, as opposed to accepting all this unthinkingly. I'd been trying to do the latter, and it's relieving to stop. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
7:01 pm	The World's Largest Pair of Trousers June 2009, Almoloya del Río, Mexico: More here. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, May 14th, 2009
5:40 pm	Move On Back To Squares, Buster My brother has been working on a SECRET product for Google for a long time! It was finally announced on Tuesday! Also, progressive rock is so awesome! Hence: Move me on to any dog square Use me any time you want Just remember that the goal Is for us all to capture all we want. I've seen all GOOG people turn their heads each day so satisfied it's on its way! (Repeat googolplex times, fade out with the universe) EPILOGUE: That's mah bro! IN A SQUARE. Current Music: YES (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, May 1st, 2009
4:14 am	Don't you get it, birds? It's still DARK out! That means that I have plenty of time to finish my paper, right? So stop freakin' chirping at me! (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, March 18th, 2009
8:10 pm	Morals of March Eighteenth (Genre-mashing pop) > (Mostly tolerable rap-rock) (Spiky horn interludes) > (Wanky wawa pedal solos) (Charming nasal vocals) > (Boring yelling) (Cameo in "Coraline" as sung by a button-eyed alternate father with a mechanical piano) > (Prominently featured in "The Matrix" as Keanu Reeves launches himself into the clouds for no reason) They Might Be Giants is better than Rage Against The Machine in every way. In game theory terms, Rage Against The Machine is a "dominated" band. (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, March 6th, 2009
7:49 pm	Do you ever think about those unremarkable moments of euphoria? Right now I'm listening to Prokofiev on really good speakers, eating a tasty hummus sandwich on pumpernickel bread, and reading a long scholarly article on the effect of enforced privatization of public lands in 18th century England on the economic status of women, while my roommate researches Magic cards on the internet. Right now is inexplicably awesome. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, February 13th, 2009
12:01 pm	The Fateful USB Drive One of my absolute favorite activities is quitting things I don't want to do. After an already crappy morning involving a super-tricky Natural Resource Economics exam and a super-awkward Economics Club brunch, I was trying to finish up an International Finance assignment before class that I'd started last night. I put in a USB drive and tried to pull up the file--I was about half-way done and had about enough time to finish it. I was then asked politely by my close friend Microsoft Word if Japanese encoding would be appropriate for opening this file? When I finally managed to open the file, all the text was there (along with about 30 pages of random characters) but was scrambled up beyond repair. And the Excel spreadsheet that had my calculations in it was corrupted--perhaps by the godlike power that my brilliant work had inspired in it. A predictable temper tantrum ensued--whisper-shouting profanities and some hair-tearing in the computer lab--but in the midst of this something arose to the surface: I can just drop this class. I don't have to do this. I don't have to take six classes and work 20-30 hours a week. I was bored last semester with a smaller courseload, but also my classes were just worse and easier. My classes this semsester have a lot more work, and the only real reason I have to take this much is academic machismo. While I'm freaking out about this assignment, I'm also weeks behind on, say, my reading for my really fascinating Economic History of Europe class. And Lord knows when was the last time I picked up my Calc 2 materials to finish that self-paced class. My international finance class has an awesome teacher, but is definitely the class I care about least right now. And it's offered every semester. So: hats off to the corruption of Word and Excel files! I'm going to do less, actually do the reading for my Geography of Latin America and Econ History courses, and spend a little less time stressing out about everything. Take that, workaholic Ethan! (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, December 6th, 2008
10:09 pm	There comes a time to cook a quesadilla while blasting Rammstein and with painted flowers and glitter all over one's face. Tonight is that time. (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008
8:17 pm	Now we see through a glass, dismally. A few years ago when I was at Sarah Lawrence, I would tell grown-up-types about my curriculum (Chinese philosophy, music history, computer science, and whatever else), and I was met with disapproving bushy-eyebrowed bemusement. "What are you going to DOOO with that? What's your PLAAAAAN?" they quiveringly inquire. Now that I have a more focused area of study that is considered Potentially Practical--economics--those bushy eyebrows settle into more comfortable positions. "Ah, yes, there's a good lad. Go forth and forge thy career!" Most of my closest friends have put up with me, both as a drifting eclecticist and as a potential economist, with relative equanimity. But many friends and acquaintances react to my study of economics with relative degrees of alarm and derision. "Oh...okay..." said an acquaintance recently when she found out I was an econ major, her voice dripping with sarcasm. A worried email from a Sarah Lawrence friend, upon the discovery: "PLEASE tell me you're going to school to learn more about being a commie--you're too young to throw a good red SLC education away!" Would these people have had comparable reactions upon hearing I was taking scattershot liberal arts courses? Both the newfound approval and disdain is puzzling, because really I'm the same goofy, odd, absent-minded polymath that I was then. I fail to see how economics is so radically different from any other academic field I've dipped into. I starting thinking about this hard when I recently caught myself lying defensively, in response to a typical sourfaced reaction from an artsy twentysomething at a party. (I myself am an artsy twentysomething.) "I don't understand how people do that. What're you going to do--run a mutual fund or something?" You have to imagine "mutual fund" dripping with innocent children's blood to get a sense of the tone. Embarrassed and eager to show good-intentions, I mumbled something about teaching people about inequality at a liberal arts school somewhere. "Oh," she said, relieved. "That's okay." Bullshit. I don't particularly have any such plan. I'm just as likely to formulate obscure mathematical models for predicting thimble prices or develop expertise in the history of sushi markets. Or perhaps leave economics altogether and become a lewd puppeteer. Whichever I do, I'd overall rather be considered boring and vaguely evil than make up excuses for something I enjoy that doesn't need to be justified. "The study of economics does not seem to require any specialized gifts of an unusually high order. Is it not a very easy subject compared with the higher branches of philosophy or pure science? An easy subject, at which very few excel! The paradox finds its explanation, perhaps, in that the master-economist must possess a rare combination of gifts. He must be mathematician, historian, statesman, philosopher--in some degree. He must understand symbols and speak in words. He must contemplate the particular in terms of the general, and touch abstract and concrete in the same flight of thought. He must study the present in the light of the past for the purposes of the future. No part of a man's nature must lie entirely outside his regard. He must be purposeful and disinterested in a simultaneous mood; as aloof an incorruptible as an artist, yet sometimes as near the earth as a politician." --John Maynard Keynes (19 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, January 28th, 2008
11:13 pm	Nantucket! "Nantucket!...Look at it--a mere hillock, and elbow of sand; all beach, without a background. There is more sand there than you would use in twenty years as a substitute for blotting paper. Some gamesome wights will tell you that they have to plant weeds there, they don't grow naturally; that they import Canada thistles; that they have to send beyond seas for a spile to stop a leak in an oil cask; that pieces of wood in Nantucket are carried about like bits of the true cross in Rome; that people there plant toadstools before their houses, to get under the shade in summer time; that one blade of grass makes an oasis, three blades in a day's walk a prairie; that they wear quicksand shoes, something like Laplander snowshoes; that they are so shut up, belted about, every way inclosed, surrounded, and made an utter island of by the ocean, that to their very chairs and tables small clams will sometimes be found adhering, as to the backs of sea turtles." --Herman Melville, Moby Dick (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, December 10th, 2007
11:38 am	Hello Livejournalers! I've drifted more and more away from spending my time on this particular corner of cyberspace--or any corner, really. For quite awhile I haven't been reading my vast friends page...I'll occasionally skip over to someone's individual page when I'm wondering, "What is X up to?" Putting up entries, either public or friends-only, has become less fun as I thought about who all had access to it--as opposed to when I first started doing this, when I could think very exactly about my small audience...it once felt more like a conversation than an exhibition. LJ is an awkward mix between a social-networking site and a medium for communication, and I'm less interested in the social-networking aspect of it these days. I'll leave that to MySpace and Facebook. I've kept many people on my friends list out of nostalgia and wishing I was still in touch with them, and using our mutual Livejournal friendship as a replacement for any sort of meaningful contact--especially since I wasn't ever reading most of those journals. Hence the vast cutting-down of my LJ friends list that I have done. If you want to get in touch, by all means give me a ring or send me an email. I, for my part, will be trying to get back in touch with some of you that I've regretfully fallen out of contact with--and in a more real way than simply habitually carrying you on my LJ friends list. Best wishes, Ethan Current Music: Blonde Redhead -- 23 (13 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, November 29th, 2007
10:39 pm	THE CRUEL TRUTH: Oh, Ethan, you're just an ineffectual pile of nerves. ETHAN C BROWN: As of tonight, that's an ineffectual pile of NOVELIST nerves to you! Ha! Take that, truth! (8 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007
6:22 pm	Gracious thanks, netfolk! So I made quite a haul to Bart's CD Cellar last week, and wanted to report on my reactions to your recommendations: White Bread Black Beer by Scritti Politti, recommended by Alex: This is unquestionably my pick of the litter, and the best new thing I've heard in a long time. Elegant, restrained, mutedly eclectic, painstakingly constructed, quiet yet unabashedly poppy--like the musical spawn of Phil Collins and Simon & Garfunkel minus all the melodrama. Scritti Politti seem to get the pop secret: that balance of catchiness, sincerity, ironic distance, and mystery. "And when the day is done, I'll play my party piece for everyone." I can already feel this album pervading my mind and associating itself with the memories I'm forming. Silent Shout by Knife, recommended by Alex: Unfortunately, in my crazed rush to buy everything and get back to work, I bought the single version instead of the album. I didn't realize until I'd already opened the case. I'm so miffed that I haven't listened to this song...any of the 6 or 7 versions I now so conveniently own. *shakes hopeless fist at Fate* The Campfire Headphase by Boards of Canada, recommended by Cat: A nice, solid, well textured IDM album. I've heard their album Music Has the Right to Children, which was louder and sounded more interesting, but I'm certainly happy to own this. It's really excellent working music. You get to keep all your toes, Cat--I couldn't find any of the other artists you recommended. I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass by Yo La Tengo, recommended by Erica: Sleepy, pleasant indie-pop, a bit hard to get a handle on. This will take some more listening to make up my mind about. Much gratitude, y'allses. Even you latecomers--I'll try to at least look up some snippets of what you recommended. Now: for another cubicalicious late night of writing about utility web sites! Huzzah! (14 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, July 10th, 2007
4:12 pm	TOE or MUSIC? I have to work ridiculously late tonight, because I've had trouble focusing on a freakin' huge report that should have been done a week ago. SO: I'm making a desperate pilgrimage to Bart's CD Cellar for musical fuel. What music should I get? And why? If I like it, I'll love you for ever. If I despise it, I'll still love you forever but I'll sneak into your room at night and cut off one of your pinky toes. I'm checking my email at around 6:10 (Mountain Time) and dash off. If you comment before then, I'll buy it (if I don't have it already). Just kidding about the toes, folks. Ha ha! *innocent smile* (16 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, June 19th, 2007
12:08 pm	"The usefulness of 'Don Giovanni' is that it puts a stake through the heart of the chocolate-box Mozart, the car-radio Mozart, the Mozart-makes-you-smarter Mozart. If the opera were played in bus stations or dentists' waiting rooms, it would spread fear. It would probably cause perversion in infants." --Alex Ross, "The Storm of Style" (Comment on this)
Saturday, May 26th, 2007
2:20 am	I like lab coats. I like parties. I like embroidery. So, I thought, why not murder three crows with one great event? I would like to have a lab coat embroidering party. "What kind of a party is that?" you skeptically ask. Well, I do have an answer for that: it's the kind of party where you end up with an embroidered lab coat. Anybody with me on this? American Science & Surplus is selling lab coats for $5 each. Anybody know anything about embroidery? (I sure don't.) (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, May 13th, 2007
8:35 pm	"There's always Mom. Hi, Mom!" Laziness is the mother of necessity. (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, May 10th, 2007
9:58 pm	And I'm a portly man-toe! Hello everyone! I just invented a word: "galoofy". It's the combination of "goofy" and "aloof". Those two attributes go together quite frequently, actually. Have a wonderful night! Current Mood: grumpfectionate?! (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, May 9th, 2007
12:24 am	Magnolia is really, really good.  (8 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, April 17th, 2007
5:35 pm	Music and other conjugations An idea first came to me in late December--another project to buzz around the surface of my mind for a few week: to write a rock 'n' roll chronicle of my upcoming tour in January with Team Awesome. I wanted to reconcile myself with rock music, a relationship I knew was struggling. But I realized on tour how much my relationship with all music had stagnated. Classical, rock, pop, experimental, all were stuck in college and nostalgia. I formulated a plan to stop playing in all these bands (well, okay, all two of them) and concentrate on getting my flute chops back, with the hope of playing chamber music again. These were both good ideas, but failed to revitalize anything. The approach was totally top-down, and didn't penetrate far. This last week I've started buying CDs again, and it's a wonderful unstoppering. There's a kind of emotional release that I only know how to get when generously getting to know new music. I'd dried up all my old CDs: my history with the music was louder than the music. It's hard for me to remember that something doesn't have to be exceptional to be just what I need. I've been listening to Muse's Absolution a lot lately. They're not great, they're not particularly original, and they sure are bombastic. But the album's passionate and effective. Also on my CD player lately--Sleepytime Gorilla Museum: ridiculously theatrical, all over the place, and very uneven. Bad and good, their songs make me curious, and I salute them for that. (6 Comments |Comment on this)