"The study of economics does not seem to require any specialized gifts of an unusually high order. Is it not, intellectually regarded, a very easy subject with the higher branches of philosophy or pure sciences? 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 man's nature or his institutions must lie entirely outside his regard. He must be purposeful and disinterested in a simultaneous mood; as aloof and incorruptible as an artist, yet sometimes as near the earth as a polititcian." - JMK

 

A book written by Robert L. Heilbroner in his graduate study. Lots of interesting stories, lives and ideas of some greatest economists - Smith, Ricardo, Mill, Malthus, Schumpeter, Keynes and others.

 

还真找着一个链接, 传上来听听， 不过Youtube上有mv.

 

I was trying to read something at a corner in the library. You know there are a lot of "panel tables" in the library. As i managed to find a vacant and quiet spot, i saw a piece of paper right on the table. It says "Be Rigth Back". It reminds me of the time when midterms or finals come, back in the college. All sort of stuff have been used to secure a place in the main building, cups, books, or even plain papers, and we wrote things more frankly on the paper - "占座". BUT, this is Here and there are plenty of available tables...I figured a while why this could happen:

1, A note for a friend who might come for an appointment, but in this case, the guy who wrote it would've signed the paper;

2, Simply a joke, but then, "Seat Taken" would make a better one;

3, Indeed trying to secure the seat for later, then it's so gentle and graceful of him not to throw some words like "This is my seat"

 

"Be right back", what is the unspoken anticipation? "please wait a second, i wil be with you shortly...". I sat down and started reading, at the same time trying to :

1, Do a favor to whoever he is. I don't want to let him down-when he is indeed right back and finds nobody there.

2, Satisfy my own curiosity. Is he Chinese:)?

 

Just felt funny. Actually, nothing happened. When i was about to leave, nobody showed up.

 

BTW, i put that paper back where it was.