Old Time Recession

The American Economic Association (AEA) is holding its annual meeting this weekend in Atlanta. The Wall Street Journal has a funny article today about whether economists are particularly frugal. The piece cites some interesting research that examines this issue. For instance, WSJ writer Justin Lahart writes that, "University of Washington economists Yoram Bauman and Elaina Rose found that economics majors were less likely to donate money to charity than students who majored in other fields. After majors in other fields took an introductory economics course, their propensity to give also fell."

Speaking of the AEA meetings, a wonderful humor session is taking place this weekend at the meetings featuring, among others, Yoram Bauman and the incomparable Merle Hazard. For an example of Hazard's work, take a look at this video: