Today I had a discussion/argument/debate with my friend about whether or not the US should adopt a flat tax. How did this happen, you ask? I have no idea. Explaining my opinions on the matter is difficult enough in English, trying to explain that I don't feel, regardless of an individual's marginal utility, should be required to give money to the government. Now translate that into Chinese. I never did quite get 'marginal' figured out.
Here's my recommendation the next time you are tempted into having a politically charged discussion with another economist in a foreign language: avoid if at all possible. Why? Not because it isn't worth having, but because the intricacies of your argument will be lost thanks to a failure to translate.
Regardless, I'm proud of being able to hold such a discussion, even if it was sloppy and undoubtedly difficult for my roommate, who was not part of the discussion, to follow.
On the note of economics, I'm incredibly proud of my program. Of all the English language publications they could chose to subscribe to, what do they chose? The Economist. Excellent choice.
Oh, and props to that guy for getting 'Bad Boy Child' tattooed on his back. It really does take a man to do that...
A) I should be finishing homework.
ReplyDeleteand B) Only you.