Krugman just released a short video on the survey as well. His worry was medium term inflation expectations were up, possibly to a level suggesting entrenched inflation….seems a bit extreme to me, this is not 1980, but I’m not an economist.
I do think a lot of this is vibes. People are angry and fearful. The GOP has spent years deriding ‘so called experts’. So people don’t believe the data, they just know they’re scared, and therefore things are horrible.
Justin, I certainly agree with the your conclusion. It’s been a difficult 15 months of watching our institutions being attacked and hollowed out and the undermining of expertise and promotion of incompetence and superficial if not outright harmful policies. It’s no wonder there is a crisis in confidence and fear of what may transpire next and the future is bringing.
That’s an interesting question. As I’m sure you know, there’s a bunch of smart people looking at why consumer sentiment has gotten so decoupled from actual economic conditions, but I haven’t heard this as a possible explanation before.
Could you tell us what "consumer sentiment" actually measures? Are your colleagues asking: "How do you feel about the economy? About your own financial circumstances? About you own or your children's prospects?" Perhaps consumer sentiment is a kind of "vibe measure" and therefore not closely tied to actual economic reality. Still. Whatever it is measuring, these numbers speak volumes. Could be about anger, frustration, depression or....fear?
Yup and meanwhile, Pres Sh*t4Brains has been posting total nonsense all morning because he apparently has nothing better to do with his time. Calling Dr Freud, calling Dr Freud!
Krugman just released a short video on the survey as well. His worry was medium term inflation expectations were up, possibly to a level suggesting entrenched inflation….seems a bit extreme to me, this is not 1980, but I’m not an economist.
I do think a lot of this is vibes. People are angry and fearful. The GOP has spent years deriding ‘so called experts’. So people don’t believe the data, they just know they’re scared, and therefore things are horrible.
Justin, I certainly agree with the your conclusion. It’s been a difficult 15 months of watching our institutions being attacked and hollowed out and the undermining of expertise and promotion of incompetence and superficial if not outright harmful policies. It’s no wonder there is a crisis in confidence and fear of what may transpire next and the future is bringing.
Good call, Justin!
That’s an interesting question. As I’m sure you know, there’s a bunch of smart people looking at why consumer sentiment has gotten so decoupled from actual economic conditions, but I haven’t heard this as a possible explanation before.
I certainly agree with
Could you tell us what "consumer sentiment" actually measures? Are your colleagues asking: "How do you feel about the economy? About your own financial circumstances? About you own or your children's prospects?" Perhaps consumer sentiment is a kind of "vibe measure" and therefore not closely tied to actual economic reality. Still. Whatever it is measuring, these numbers speak volumes. Could be about anger, frustration, depression or....fear?
Just recorded a podcast with Stacey Vanek Smith that will hopefully answer your questions. Arrives Saturday morning.
There is a reason why Spock had no emotions.
Do we have any idea who the people are who approve? I'm curious.
Looks like you can’t keep pissing on people and tell them it is raining forever.
Yup and meanwhile, Pres Sh*t4Brains has been posting total nonsense all morning because he apparently has nothing better to do with his time. Calling Dr Freud, calling Dr Freud!
Yikes!