Milton Friedman & leaving Korea
Posted by John Humphreys on November 28, 2006
I met up with Cho Jaehyon (Korea Times) for lunch last Thursday (23 November) and we chatted about the essay contest, Korea, economics and Milton Friedman. Milton was a major influence on my understanding of economics and political philosophy and he has recently died at the age of 94.
I recounted my one personal experience with Milton: My honours thesis was inspired by Friedman’s writings on the negative income tax (NIT) — an idea that I continue to champion. In the course of my research I contacted lots of economists and thinkers with ideas on the NIT and most didn’t respond. Friedman did. I got a large manila folder with a collection of his writings on the issue and a short written note. All for some 20-year-old stranger from the other side of the world. Top guy. I went on to dedicate my thesis to him (& my mum).
Jaehyon has recently e-mailed me asking if he can tell my story in his regular column as financial editor, so soon the world (or at least a few of the English speakers in Korea) will know what a good guy Milt was. RIP.
The next day (Friday 24 November) I finally went to one of the famous Korean saunas. HyunHee and I headed there about 11:00pm and spent about four hours wondering around the 7-story sauna complex using the spas, saunas, massage chairs, computer games and cafe. Unfortunately the open-air spa and golf driving range was closed.
On my last full day in Korea this year we went out for a movie and then met up with HyunHee’s friends for some drinking and karaoke. Looks like I’ve already got a couple of English language students lined up when I head back next year if I feel like doing some illegal tutoring.
And then, alas, I was gone. Only 10 days in Korea, but it was nice to be back “home“. The weather was better than expected, I finally got some work done, enjoyed all the usual Korean fun’n'games and of course spent time with HyunHee. Now I will escape the worst of the Korean winter by hiding in the southern hemisphere before returning next year when Korea will be (hopefully) coming out of the cold.
UPDATE 22/12: Cho has finally published his column on Friedman & me.
apple said
Did you leave your particular brand of madness at the door in Korea? You almost sound wistful…
Afe said
I wish I had a Wikipedia entry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Humphreys_%28Australia%29
apple said
The independent scholar who wrote that Wikipedia article certainly seems to have a good knowledge of your work and personal habits…
John Humphreys said
To answer to unwritten question: no, I didn’t write that entry. As the ‘history’ tab will show you it was written initially by Terje and then updated by some random guys from Texas, Russia, Ireland & a bot.
The Russian guy made it sound like I actually had drugs in my bag so I adjusted his comments to make it clear that no drugs were found.
apple said
How the hell does some dude in Russia know you were searched for drugs?
John Humphreys said
I didn’t ask… but the logical answer would be that he found my wiki profile and decided to update it, so he googled my name and found my blog and then searched for something interesting.
apple said
…and I thought I was bored leaving random comments on blogs…