Alexander Tabarrok wrote:
>Robin,
> My model explains a negative correlation between extremity and
>flexibility. You objected that correlation of *signals* would mean that
>"The people who
>become more confident and move from the initial consensus position
>should also tend to move in the same direction from that consensus. But
>we observe similar levels of confidence moving both directions away from
>the consensus." My later post simply indicated that your conclusion
>does not follow from the premise. Correlation of signals implies more
>people on one side of the extreme than the other, it does not imply
>asymmetric confidence levels when moving away from the consensus. The
>number of people at either extreme and the confidence with which the
>extremes hold their views are two totally different things.
I agree that your model explains the correlation in question.
I was just pointing out that it does not explain other available data.
Robin Hanson [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://hanson.gmu.edu
Asst. Prof. Economics, George Mason University
MSN 1D3, Carow Hall, Fairfax VA 22030
703-993-2326 FAX: 703-993-2323
