Issue 5, Fall 1992

William A. McEachern, Editor

Economists As Fast Talkers

Suppose there is a lecture topic we are not comfortable with, either because we are not well prepared that day or because the material itself remains unresolved in the profession. Under these circumstances, I believe there may be a tendency for us to speed through such material, with little eye contact and no room for questions. Curiously, when we are less sure what we are talking about, our voices get more persuasive and urgent, almost as if to convince ourselves that what we are saying makes sense. I have observed this tendency in myself, in colloquium speakers over the years, and in teaching assistants. As Oscar Wilde said "To be intelligible is to be found out." The solution is more preparation on purpose and a greater willingness to acknowledge ambiguity or controversy.

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