Jeffrey Sachs, celebrity

The economist and global anti-poverty campaigner Jeffrey Sachs was interviewed in today's  Guardian. Unfortunately the piece, Be here now, emphasises his role as "the rock aristocracy's economist of choice" rather than talk much about substantive issues. Sachs is defensive of his well publicised celebrity associations:

Celebrity involvement, he acknowledges, may add to the air of unreality. But it also draws attention to people who would otherwise be invisible. "The biggest crime is negligence. The celebrity thing is not about charity. It is about urging us to practical action. Bono, Angelina Jolie, Madonna are urging us to take up real solutions."

Though he clearly enjoys it:

I wonder if he is now inured to celebrity cold calls. Does Mrs Sachs cover the mouthpiece with a sighed: "It's another bloody pop star. Shall I tell them you're not at home?"

Sachs isn't having any of it. "Am I used to it? No. Do I like it? Yes."

And at least retains his sense of humour:

So is he a celebrity himself now? "I sometimes tell the story of a visit to the Pope with Bono. When we left the Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence, we drove out of the gates in a van that was pursued by hundreds of delirious fans. I turned to Bono and said, 'They always do that for macroeconomists.' He looked at me rather sceptically."

Comments

[Rob Metcalfe]

It could be President Sachs soon, according to Marginal Rev (http://www.marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2006/08/sachs_for_presi.html#comments)

[A. PERLA]

Jeffrey Sachs will have about as much influence in altering the plight of the poor as a pee in the ocean.

His macro-approach by government intervention is doomed. Been there, done that, wont work.

Sachs' mistake is to think that African (for example) economies behave like developed economies only badly. They are entirely different animals due to societal differences.

Untill he as well as Bono & Co. understand this, their celebrity status remains just media gloss. Sic transit gloria mundi.

(Jealous me ... ;^)

[jon livesey]

I liked the comment that the big sin is to do nothing. That is right in line with the bien pensant philosophy that seems to lie behind the thinking of the Guardian. When you see a problem, you must do something, even if what you do doesn't solve the problem and has negative side-effects. Screwing things up is forgivable, as long as your motives are pure.

[hot celebrities]

He is not celebrity. I don't know him.

[Spatii birouri de inchiriat]

Jeffrey Sachs do not have any idea about macro-approach.. I don't know why people continue to trust him.