Re gifts for teachers: I heard that interview this morning and was instantly
whisked back to that part of the world where they have a teacher's day: all
children scurry to school with praise and gratitude in their hearts and
flowers and chocolates in their hands. They didn't get Blue Peter in the
former Soviet Union in those days!

Also Hamish McRae was interviewed on Today this morning about Xmas in
general and when asked whether it's an efficient institution he made a show
stopping comment that I can't remember ... but Guy has provided the link for
the replay, if only my sound card would work!

By the way, that slide show on drawing LP graphs has been on my site for
while now! It pays to visit from time to time.

It may be of interest to know that I am putting the finishing touches to a
piece on time series analysis following an article in a recent edition of
the Economic Review.


Duncan Williamson


-----Original Message-----
From: Economics, business, and related subjects
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Guy Judge
Sent: 19 December 2003 11:30
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Excel's SOLVER and the Consumer Confidence Index

Thanks to Duncan for the slide show.

I had to teach my students linear programming as part of the
Quantitative Economics course this term. If I had had this a
month ago I would have shown it to them then - but it may be
nice for them to run through as part of their revision. Thanks
for sharing all your efforts with us Duncan.

On the point about the link between consumer confidence and
interest rate changes, surely what is relevant here is whether
changes have been anticipated (and hence already
discounted) or not - i.e. expectations.

On a seasonal note, did you catch the discussion on Radio
4's Today programme this morning about whether or not
giving Christmas presents was economically efficient? An
economist from the US (didn't catch his name or university)
has done some research comparing people's valuation of
their presents and the cost (to the buyer) of the presents.
Because of the big differences he argued that present giving
is inefficient!  [My point = maybe this can explain why some
people give money or vouchers]. However he seemed totally
humourless and not to understand the *process* of giving and
receiving!

There was another item that may be of interest concerning the
gifts brought to (primary) school teachers. A teacher from the
Birmingham - code-named Peter as he didn't want his actual
name to be given described the gifts he has received varying
from Blue Peter like home made constructions through to
bottles of wine and vodka.  However his favourite gift was a
bacon sandwich made by the child and brought in wrapped in
foil.  No chance of these kinds of gifts at our level!
"Peter" has set up a website at
http://www.cheesygifts4teachers.fsnet.co.uk/cheese1.htm
If you want to hear the Today programme item you can
access it from
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/default.stm
(click on the audio link towards the bottom right).

Best wishes and a Merry Christmas

Guy

<text deleted>


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