math as a language

'To Cinlar, the language of mathematics was English. Mathematics does have it’s own nomenclature, the use of symbols and using specific meanings for some words is part of using mathematics in communication. But, even Greek symbols used in mathematics is part of the English language. There is nothing about mathematics or the use of mathematics in communication that makes it a separate language. The rules of grammar used in mathematical communication are the rules of English grammar.'

Thanks to Jörgen for mentioning professor Cindar. Hopefully I can take his course next fall.

Mini course day 1

Richard Rogerson gives a mini course on macro labor at SSE. The materials covered are different from my expectation but I really like his presentation. Today is an overview about the stylized facts of unemployment and working hours in OECD countries. Basically he lets data talk. As he stressed, thinking quatatitively is a key feature of modern macroeconometrists. A theory should not only account for why unemployment rate increases or decreases, but also for why it increases 3 points not .3 points. Another point I took from his talk is how to think a bit deeper: taking into account time-series. This reminds me of 'comparative advantage' argument of Lin Yifu. If comparative advantage accounts for the economic miracle of China after 1980s, we should also see this advantage before 1980s...

I guess professor Rogerson is not a fan of thinking differences in labor participation in terms of gender differences. It seems labor participation is gender-neutral from time-series data.

Went to a seminar on ethnic identity given by Alberto Bisin from nyu. The idea is very simple but the test is nice.

Not sure whether I should return to my idea about ethnic identification...

Bought a an alarm clock radio.

1. Ordered 'Contract Theory' online. Hopefully the price (500 SEK) can provide me incentives to read it line by line.

2. Had the last class of recursive macro:( Lars said he would look at my 'environment' first before giving me any suggestion. I am happy yet feel a bit worried about my story. btw, environment=preferences+endowment+technology.

3. I heard someone calling my name when I was leaving SSE. I can hardly recognize my name when it is pronounced by foreigners...I was lucky this time.

1. Try to record what I hear randomly in daily life.

2. Did homework on Stata. The software is so advanced nowadays that it incorporates most things people want to do. I drank three cups of tea when it was bootstrapping.

3. Read Acemoglu's notes on search and unemployment.

I am having a difficult time.

I sat next to a Polish girl in the Swedish class. She is studying German. Unfortunately she is not familiar with Kieslowski, Wajda, Milosz or Szymborska. Kind of funny to think that I was once so interested in Polish culture.

I have been reflecting upon why I have educated myself with so much 'useless knowledge'. This reminds me of Kong yiji, who is proud of knowing four different ways of writing a Chinese word, HUI.

Anyhow, here is my homework 2.

En sevärdhet: Gotland

Jag har varit på Gotland en gång, som var en oförglömlig resa. Jag tänker åka dit igen om jag har tid i sommar.

Gotland är en ö, som ligger i Östersjön. Man kan resa från Nynäshamn med en restiden på tre timmar. Gotland har många vackra plaster, t.ex. Visby, Fårö, osv.

Visby är en idyllisk småstad och samtidigt Gotlands största tätort. Det kallas för ’ruinernas och rosornas stad’. Många kyrkor har funnits under medeltiden men idag är endast en av dessa i bruk, och 11 andra finns som ruiner. Rosorna växer kraftigt runt ruinerna, som är vackert men sorgligt. I botaniska trädgården visste jag att visby är en typ av rosor.

Fårö är känd för Ingmar Bergman och hans filmer. På kyrkogården ligger Bergman begraven. På Fårö har han gjort fyra spelfilmer på Fårö, som är Såsom i en spegel, Persona, Skammen och En passion. Landskapet är mycket tyst och ensam. På juni börjar årets Bergmanvecka. Dessutom Ingmar Bergmans filmer, Tarkovskijs Offret var också inspelad på Fårö.

Det finns naturligtvis andra intressanta platser att besöka, t.ex. Holmhällar på södra Gotland. Jag tycker att du ska ha en fantastisk tid vart du än går på ön.