So Paul Krugman and I are chatting . . .
Yesterday's appearance did not produce a funny story. Today, however, was much more amusing. (Please excuse the shameless name dropping, but it's what makes the tale so amusing).
I shot a brief segment for Wall $treet Week on the Magazine Cover Indicator. They saw the Contrary Indicators 2000 – 2003 Bear piece, and wanted to discuss what the various signals meant, and how to apply them.
It will run on Friday at 8:30 on PBS. We shot over 20 minutes of tape, of which they will prolly use 15 seconds . . .
So I take off the make up, gather my briefcase and papers, and head out the door -- which is locked, I can't get it open, eventually figure out you have to hit the buzzer.
At the same time, someone is trying to "buzz" in. We kinda collide, I excuse myself, and start heading out the door . . . when suddenly, something dawns on me.
"Um . . . Paul Krugman?" I ask.
"Yes. . . "
I'm flustered, but somehow manage to gather my wits and say: "Funny, I just quoted you on Wall $treet Week about Magazine Covers -- “Whom the Gods would destroy, they first put on the cover of Business Week.”
"Ahh, Enron."
I'm kinda discombobulated, and given my general lack of social graces, I momentarily forget to introduce myself, but -- surprisingly -- I avoid an awkward moment. Recovering, I say "Hi, I'm Barry Ritholtz. A pleasure to meet you . . ." I hand him a business card, and he says "Oh yes, I've received email from you." He must get a million emails a day, so I suspect he is merely being polite, for which I am terribly grateful.
The odd thing is, I almost didn't recognize him as I literally ran into him. He looks quite professorial -- kinda rumpled, smallish, a bit disheveled, very unassuming. Seems like a nice guy.
Greg Mankiw last night, Paul Krugman today, Nobel prize winner last month -- I'm thinking about changing the catchphrase of this blog.
How's this sound: "Mediocrity Within Spitting Distance of Greatness" ?
Any thoughts?
Wednesday, March 10, 2004 | 03:31 PM | Permalink
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» Look Who's Blogging: Paul Krugman from The Big Picture
Last year, I noted that the Times had started blogging (MSM Blogging Review: NYT Starts Blogging, too). A few months later, we discussed that the Times' offerings had ballooned to over 30 blogs (Its Official: The NYT Has Gone Blog Crazy!). This week, t... [Read More]
Tracked on Sep 21, 2007 10:46:08 AM
Comments
Mankiw might be great, but he's a shill.
You might be mediocre (I disagree), but you have intellectual integrity.
Posted by: MattS | Mar 10, 2004 8:12:26 PM
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