Thanks from a reader to Bears
Mr. Dan,
When I started reading Angry Bear I was working as a technical editor (degree in English) and had zero knowledge of economics, but I was watching the (to me) economic weirdness going on in the 2000’s, and started reading economics blogs in a mostly vain attempt to discover what the heck was going on.
I liked Angry Bear because it had posts over a wide range of topics related to economics and current events, but had relatively little jargon, so that I could actually understand them. They generally made sense, and the comments frequently helped to clarify the posts.
I read six or seven economics blogs fairly regularly, and have other favorites like Krugman and Mark Thoma, Crooked Timber and Noahpinion. Other blogs tend to have a a narrower focus than Angry Bear, and sometimes get so technical they go WAY over my head, not to mention the comments.
I hit Angry Bear almost daily these days. Although your contributors and commenters have changed over the years, the blog remains (to me) interesting, accessible, and frequently entertaining, without being simplistic or excessively didactic, and the commenters usually add to the conversation. Either you don’t have any long-winded nit-picking, trolls (who can drive me nuts on other blogs) or you screen them out very effectively.
Angry Bear is the most layman-friendly economics blog that I have found, although Krugman runs a close second, and has stayed so over the years. Does it need to evolve, when it was really good to begin with?
My personal opinion?
Keep it up!
Cynthianne
Exactly, Cynthianne. A Happy Thanksgiving to all.
I’ll second that motion. Cynthianne is on the money in her description of the effectiveness and comprehensible character of Angry Bear. Stay angry!!!
And happy Thanksgiving to all.
I’ll make it a threesome. Not able to be online much these days, but I do try to read Angry Bear when I have access. Everything Cynthianne said is spot on.
well
as well as thanks, these people seem to be saying, “don’t change.”
Just the look and archived posts access and who else distributes us…the authors won’t even notice at the post level. 🙂
I could have written that letter. But you guys know how I feel about your inclusion of the non-economist. You rock!
I endorse Cynthianne’s thoughts as well. Indeed, this blog is a big part of why I no longer identify myself as a Republican. I was looking for some answers on economic growth and tax policy, and Angry Bear was the first place I found that simply looked at the actual data and didn’t simply rely on assumptions and hypotheticals, like the WSJ editorial page does. I still don’t agree with a lot of the normative statements by some of the authors, but certainly appreciate the analysis.
Thank you Cynthianne. But when I have to cast my mind back onthe Troll Wars Dan and I (and Ken and others) have had to wage over the last years I have to insert a semi-bitter
laugh.
Dan especially spends untold, uncounted and unthanked hours keeping this place the mostly rational discussion space it is. Without squelching honest discussion. And it ain’t easy. So if you feel inclined throw some thanks Crawford’s way. He isn’t the original Angry Bear (there have by my count been four siteowners) but has been doing a hell of a job keeping the flags flying and the standard up for what is years now.