Readers frequently offer advice on my columns, with a common theme of helping me be more persuasive. I appreciate the comments, but I should make clear that these columns are not designed to be persuasive.

Neither economics professors nor economic columnists are in the mind-changing business — at least, not through the arts of persuasive rhetoric. I respect my students and readers too much to try to change their minds in a lecture or 750-word column.

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