it's worth pointing out, by comparison to other world leaders, Angela Merkel has a PhD in Physics (Quantum Chemistry in fact). In other words she's more than capable to grasping the complexities of financial markets.
I also have a PhD in quantum chemistry, and I don't think this in itself qualifies me to understand economics any better than anyone else.
Actually there was an interesting article on the subject of why smart people so often make really bad politicians.
The tldr: "So why do intelligent people consistently make such a hash of things? Because they are smart enough to talk themselves into anything. Ordinary mortals don’t engage in fancy mental gymnastics to reach conclusions that defy common sense. But intellectuals are particularly prone to this."
Because they are smart enough to talk themselves into anything. Ordinary mortals don’t engage in fancy mental gymnastics to reach conclusions that defy common sense. But intellectuals are particularly prone to this.
Huh? Citation needed. For both of those claims. Actually, three claims: 1) Intelligent people talk themselves into anything. 2) That is why they make a hash of things. 3) Ordinary people do not engage in mental gymnastics to reach conclusions that defy common sense. Also, which is it, intellectuals or intelligent people?
I also have a PhD in quantum chemistry, and I don't think this in itself qualifies me to understand economics any better than anyone else.
Actually there was an interesting article on the subject of why smart people so often make really bad politicians.
The tldr: "So why do intelligent people consistently make such a hash of things? Because they are smart enough to talk themselves into anything. Ordinary mortals don’t engage in fancy mental gymnastics to reach conclusions that defy common sense. But intellectuals are particularly prone to this."
http://reason.com/archives/2011/10/04/why-smart-presidents-d...