Do economists see only with one eye? Nobel Prize winner Robert Shiller’s book Narrative Economics suggests that by focusing on metrics and mathematics, today’s economists fail to deal with the ‘mess’ that other social scientists must sift through to find relevant answers to social science questions. Economics is a social science, but economists may only be using one eye to study the field and missing the vast nuanced arena of Narrative Economics.

Allen Crowley will lead a discussion of Robert Shiller’s book Narrative Economics, focusing on what tools economists ‘ought’ to be using and ways to improve the field. Lastly, Allen will leave open questions of forecasting, foreign nation-building, and restructuring our own economy, hoping he’ll be invited back to lead discussions on these topics.

Allen Crowley, LTC (Ret), earned a commission in the Army and a BS in Urban Studies from TCU. He helped build the economic and military juggernaut that won the Cold War and defeated the Soviet Union. Once the ice broke, he joined some hot conflicts in Iraq to complete a thirty-two-year career. Despite all that, he still reads, writes, and holds great faith in humanity and civilization. Today, he volunteers with Fort Worth Startup Weekend and works to support the local entrepreneurial community to build a better future for all.