The Glory of Economics!

I recently got accepted into the economics program at Baylor in Waco, TX. Below are my essays, which I would guess didn't so much impress the admissions commitee as made them curious. My guess is they said something along the lines of..."She may not be a genius but at least she might do something interesting." I guess that is all I can really hope for anyway.

"Why study economics?"

The past three and a half years I have been trained as an accountant. The University of Sioux Falls has been preparing me for the life of a C.P.A. Well, last year I found a passion that seemed more pressing and more fitting for me. Economics does not involve just organizing numbers, but interpreting and asking the ever present question, “Why?” As a child, I filled the stereotypical role of being the “Why?” child by pestering my parents to death with questions regarding why everything is and how everything works. This led to many explanations starting and ending with “Because.” As I grew up this ferver never quite subsided, rather it just became less annoying for those around me.

I want to study economics because it tells me why people make the decisions they do. Economics sheds light on the relationships between agents and the factors they use in decision making. I want to study economics because I will not just be studying indifference curves, utility theory and the marginal rate of substitution, but I’ll be studying sociology, philosophy, theology, psychology and various other sciences. Economics truly is an interdisciplinary area of academia. I believe that attending a liberal arts school that is very focused on interdisciplinary attitudes will lay an amazing foundation for success in the economics program at Baylor.

Baylor’s mission statement webpage states, “Within the graduate and the professional programs, the University provides advanced educational opportunities to develop ethical and capable scholars and practitioners who contribute to their academic disciplines, professional fields, and society.” I want to attend Baylor for its holistic view of students. We are not just attending university to gain knowledge of our specific disciplines, but also to be cultivated as an individual—academically, ethically and spiritually. My intentions are to pursue a Ph.D. in economics, but I believe that as I progress in that direction, it is imperative that I have a solid base of academic knowledge and a solid vision of my role as a Christian economist. The social sciences have such a humanist aura that I want to make sure I attend a school that understand God’s role in all disciplines of study. The faculty of the economics program are also conducting research that I find fascinating and will hopefully be able to engage in upon enrollment.

Behavioral economics and economics of religion are my main areas of interest. I would particularly like to study the economics of the movie industry and pop culture. Society has taken a profound fascination with celebrity, and I would like the study what possible factors have led to this obsession. It would also be intriguing to study the pay offs of scandal and how tabloids effect the earnings of gossip rich celebrities. Of course I do also have actual academic economic pursuits as well—my economic interests are not confined to the “E!” channel and Entertainment Weekly. An economics professor once told me to just figure out what I want to study and worry about the “Hows” later.

As an adult, I’m still concerned with the “Whys” and “Hows,” and I believe that my foundation in economics needs to be expanded in order for me to really delve into these questions. I want this expansion to take place at an institution that understands curiosity and methodology. I want this expansion to take place at Baylor.


**So this wasn't the most well written piece...but it served its purpose.

"Economics Influence"

Economics has permeated my reasoning and decision making processes. Before taking my Economics of Religion course, I was not consciously aware of the cost benefit ratio that drives all of my decisions. However, since being enlightened, I see how this ratio is the basis for every decision I make. Knowing this ratio exists helps me to understand the values I place on certain consequences and outcomes. Knowing this ratio helps me know myself.

So, besides my study of economics completely revolutionizing how I approach and view the world, specifically it has changed how I approach relationships. This is a trite example, but I hope it reveals even more fluently the areas of economics I want to study. I recently read He’s Just Not That Into You, which is a self help book for single women who find themselves consistently single and disappointed about it. The author drives home the point that if a man is interested he will call or contact you. What Behrendt, the author, does with this book is try to influence supply and demand in the dating market. He makes the case that many young men are uncaring, selfish and uncommitted because women put up with it. In economic terms, I believe he is revealing that the demand for these men is much higher than it should be. Since the demand for such men is high, they have no incentive to act the way women want them to—like gentlemen. Behrendt is trying to change the market by telling women that if they will not put up with ungentlemanly men, then the market will adjust because men will have an incentive to be gentlemen. It’s an entertaining notion and has given many young women something to contemplate. Behrendt inadvertently used economics to explain why the dating scene is dysfunctional.


***My essay for the influence section will serve as a basis for a possible research paper on the same topic. However, while I will discuss Behrendt's effect on the dating market, I will mostly discuss the cost/benefit ratio behind his theory about how men approach relationships. He provides the notion that men may be into you, just not THAT into you. In other words, what he is saying is that while there would be a benefit from dating someone, the benefits do not outweigh the costs.

Resurrection...

This blog was suppose to showcase the action in my life, rather than contemplating the chronic inaction that usually fills up my days. Well...inaction has definitely been the theme since December. I've done way too much thinking, and contemplation usually brings me back around to what I like to call "the dark place." It's the place we all visit once in a while for various reasons--someone in our family died, we lost a job, we broke up with a significant other, we are just generally masochists...ya know, whatever your reason is, you visit. You stop by, say hello, drink a beer or two and take off. Well, I think I've finished the keg, and they are rolling out another. My mental car broke down in front of this dive, and I have been too emotionally bankrupt to get it fixed...instead I took out a medicinal loan and have been in a constant state of drunkenness (figuratively speaking) for three months.

So, since this blog was an attempt to keep away from posts like the previous paragraph, I am going to revamp her a little bit. Instead of digressing on the inaction of my life, I will most assuredly be writing lists. Why? Because lists rock.

Musical Appetite

I've been mulling over the role music plays in my life. The following selections are songs that matter to me right now for various reasons...

Sing You a Love Song-of Montreal

“Although I can’t sing it now, be still…cause someday baby I will sing you a love you song…” Probably one of my favorite lines pertaining to “love”…Why? I like the fact that it isn’t just “Hey! I love you!!”…its realistic. So many songs are about being in love, enraptured with each other. This guy is like, “Hey, I know I will love you someday, but I can’t say it quite yet.” To me, that is almost as awesome as being told “I love you.” It shows me that he takes it seriously. Silly trite love songs. The song also talks about vodka and probably some hard drugs….that may or may not add to my affinity for this song.

Don’t Feel Like Dancing-Scissor Sisters

Any music video with a dancing redheaded tranny has got to be for one awesometastic song. “Don’t Feel Like Dancing” came to me through a little improv group that Kim, Laura and I religiously worshiped every Tuesday night at 10. I take that back…I religiously worshiped the founder of the group and his Jewish ways. After a year and half of awkward obsession and contemplating converting to Judaism, I at least have a song that makes me want to dance and sing in falsetto.

Hope I Don’t Fall in Love with You-Tom Waits

Oh Tommy....Probably the only guy in this world who has a thought process similar to mine in that he sees an epiphany in every little detail. It's a great song because it showcases his vulnerability, and I like looking at others being vulnerable...it makes me feel so powerful. I am so happy they let me take advantage of their honesty.

Dog Problems-The Format

Just a great song. Peppy, dancy, fab.

Hallelujah-Jeff Buckley

I feel kind of cliché putting this song on the list, because…Who hasn’t had some type of emotional reaction to “Hallelujah”?

Both Sides Now-Joni Mitchell

I first stumbled across this song during my Music of the Movies class. A character in the movie “Love Actually” receives a Joni Mitchell CD from her husband for Christmas only to realize that he is probably cheating on her because it was not the gold necklace she found in his jacket earlier. She goes into her room, plays this song, and has the probably most emotional moment of her life—she is after all a cold English woman.

Twilight (Post I)

I am hoping to at some point write a fairly rational and insightful (though I'm sure many educated twenty-something females have already blogged such ideas) post regarding everything Twilight. However...that day is not yet. No, today is the day that I gush the following sentiment:

My mind is starting to engage in a Bella Swan-esque narrative. I am literally walking to class and my mind is narrating each step; each person I pass gets a horrible freshman composition worthy description.

Ugh. Seriously?

There goes Thanksgiving Break...

three of the four books from the Twilight saga--$50
three rolls of Tums to settle the butterflies that arrive in my stomach every time Edward touches Bella--$6
one case of Redbull--$25

being emotionally unstable and twitterpated (not with Edward, give me more credit than that, rather with the idea of being desired) for two months (an approximation)--priceless.

Bloggy Bloggerson!

I consider myself an idea woman. Granted, most of my ideas are quickly forgotten and usually involve some type of novelty that few people besides myself would find useful, but they are ideas nonetheless. Here are some of my recent favorite ideas:

1. There should be a television show set in a corporate environment...possibly a consulting service...featuring a sarcastic, narcissistic forensic economist who, of course, also happens to be a genius. She will be challenged every day by the Director of Human and Public Relations. Watch out House and Bones...we're coming to get you! Demand dictates that there is room for another sassy, witty, lovable and scorned heroine in tv-town.

Maybe I'm not an idea woman...but regardless here are a couple fabulous tidbits I picked up this weekend.

1. The best time to drive is between 5 and 7 am. I am not a morning person...at all. Wait...that's wrong. I'm not a person who likes to wake up; I'm not a waking up person. I love mornings...particularly that time before the sun comes up. In complete unoriginality I'm going to say something to the tune of "everything is so peaceful", "the world is resting waiting for the sun to wake her sleepy eyes", etc. It really is a magical time though. I imagine if I were a witch or a fairy or some other heathen magic-bearing being, I would cast my spells in the early morning.

2. "He's Just Not That Into You" is actually a fairly phenomenal book. The basic gist is that if he is as into you as he should be for your relationship to be fabulous, he will call/make an effort. The amazing thing is that this book so totally relates to supply and demand! Because women are so desperate for a relationship, they will put up with anything. This gives men no incentive to grow up and be gentlemen. Therefore, the demand for crappy guys is higher than it should be. Now if women, as consumers, decide they want good men, the demand for crappy guys will decrease substantially. These crappy guys will have an incentive to "up their game" and jump to the decent guy market. While this is an amazing idea, it will unfortunately never happen because A. women will always be emotionally needy and ready for every unhealthy relationship that comes their way...and B. all women would have to jump on the Greg Behrendt wagon--that simply won't happen. As long as there are women with low self esteem out in the market, guys will have no incentive to change their product from low-quality to high-quality to meet demand.

3. Wine is so good.

4. Monkeys do not make good pets.

5. Sponge Bob, contrary to my previously held belief, is actually quite hilarious.

6. The Music Man may be a crook, but Professor Harold Hill has the capacity to love and that is much more than I can say for quite a few ethical (a subjective term to be sure) men I know.

7. I will forever love cardigans.

It's election day? What?!?!?

Media: “Maybe we can trick Americans into caring about the election by turning it into a pop culture phenomenon.”

People: “Thank you, Media! Once again we don’t have to really think about anything because you are making it fun for us!”

Media: “We knew you’d appreciate it! Now sit back, turn on E! for a while and listen to what the Fashion Police have to say about Palin’s new wardrobe!”

Does anyone else feel like this is election is one big SNL skit? I have a love hate relationship with the nature of this election. On one hand, I am elated that there is so much coverage and the election seems to be permeating pretty much everything. Hopefully that translates into people voting and caring about the issues…possibly embracing their right and responsibility as a member of a democracy. The ends seems pretty fab: people voting and being somewhat informed.

However…I think it is kind of sad. I think it is sad that we need to turn the election into a piece of entertainment in order to convince people to care. Shouldn’t the fact that we are choosing the leader of our country be enough? Why does everything have to be “fun” or “entertaining” now?

Let me reiterate…at least people are participating and thinking about the election instead of unimportant (though fabulous) celebrity gossip. But…isn’t some of the election coverage just celebrity gossip, anyway? Best of both worlds!

And btw…There is no way I could have voted until I knew who ScarJo was voting for, so I really really really hope celebrities keep thinking that their opinions about politics, society and everything besides acting/singing/substance abuse actually matter.