The ASSA
conference in early January is the biggest economics conference each year. Thousands of economists descended this year
to San Francisco for three days of fun and frivolity. (OK, three days of learning about new models,
statistical methods, and results – but that’s the same thing, right?) I was a discussant for one paper and presented
a poster on Broadway Economics. I also
saw several good presentations where I learned some things, worked on projects
with my co-authors, and met several interesting people. It was a fantastic conference.
San
Francisco, however? What a dump. Coming in on the BART (their train), you see
many run-down houses that still cost a fortune, because of the insane
property restrictions. It makes you
wonder why anyone would live there. Of
course, it might be because they love being accosted by beggars on their dirty
streets. Between the griminess, the
beggars, the high property values, high taxes (even on plastic bags - which costs lives), and the other ways it restricts liberty, San
Francisco might be my least favorite US city.
It is even in the running with Mexico City and Naples, Italy as far as
places I most want to avoid. (Although
I did like Fisherman’s Wharf ...)
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