More economics

Paul Krugman has just been awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics. As it happens, I recently came across a small essay by Krugman on "How I Work" which presents four basic rules for research. These apply just as well to experimental music composition:

1. Listen to the Gentiles

2. Question the question

3. Dare to be silly

4. Simplify, simplify

(The first may seem a bit obscure, but Krugman indicates that he means "Pay attention to what intelligent people are saying, even if they do not have your customs or speak your analytical language." )

PS: If you'd like an example of Krugman's most speculative work in trade theory, here's his paper on The Theory of Interstellar Trade.