A Chacun Son Metier

To each his own trade is certainly, well seemingly anyway, a blurred line these days with everyone acting like an expert on TV, radio and the internet.

We're assaulted daily by opinions that too often come from the mouths of people who shouldn't do so. For example, Matt Yglesias about money matters. What exactly qualifies him to speak on such matters?

The answer is simple: Nothing. And his pontifications about money, finance and wealth amount to exactly that: Nothing.

Jesus, I'm more qualified but I don't think Salon would hire me.

Paul Krugman, to pull another example, talks about politics even though he's an economist.

Sure many people are able to cross disciplines and multi-task and some may even be good at it (channel your inner Buckminster Fuller) but more often than not, we're hearing self-described "experts" blow hards spew nonsense.

It's sort of one gigantic appeal to authority we accept.

Would you accept car advice from Oprah? I know I wouldn't but millions of people would because, you know, it's Oprah. She must know something more than me! Right?

It's no surprise, then, in our society bureaucrats and politicians with no practical experience in economics and business pass regulations and legislation on those matters all the time.

They have a nice fall back to justify their decisions: It's for the society.

That line is a juggernaut of a concept because even though the fallacy of 'one size fits all' may not apply to your circumstance you're made to feel something bigger than you is at play - a bigger picture so to speak.

There isn't.

That's what you're told - without much in-depth explanation in my view.

When it comes to a delicate, organic, almost inexplicable eco-system like the economy (we're good at viewing natural wonders like the Amazon as an abstract eco-system but not our own affairs in what is called a natural activity like economics), aren't the best decisions the ones left to the people  in each their own trade?

Ah. Enter a faulty, or at least mislead,  premise. Profits! Profits equals greed! Greed means people get left behind! Roads! Ergo, more regulations are needed!

You must legislate, tax and regulate and tax some more to reign in such a scourge!

Thus ends my opinion.