Link fiesta (on the econ profession; 8.6.14)

1. Economists dissing economics (quotes).
2. Top 10 funniest papers in economics. 
3. When do economists matter? Here and here. 
If economists are to succeed in influencing, and perhaps even improving, public policy then convincing the public along is crucial. How then can economists offer better advice? Confining themselves to technocratic advice is neither helpful nor likely. There are too many inherently political issues on which economists have valuable advice to give. But perhaps by framing their advice in a more technical manner, for example measuring the benefits of immigration, rather merely than advocating it, economists can ensure that their advice is more effective in the public arena.