----------------- HES POSTING ----------------- A number of recent postings have used the term Autism in a pejorative way. We really shouldn't do this. Although great progress has been made in diagnosing and treating Autism in recent years, people with autism, their families and friends, and their caregivers still need all the help and understanding they can get; not the reinforcement of negative stereotypes. I am sure my own record for sensitivity is far from unblemished, so I am probably not the best person to bring this up. And I am certain that the people who have been using this term on the list did so without the intention of hurting anyone -- except perhaps economic theorists! I am just suggesting that in the future we use a different different term -- slime ball? -- to express contempt for trends or people in economics that we don't like. Hugh Rockoff Professor of Economics ------------ FOOTER TO HES POSTING ------------ For information, send the message "info HES" to [log in to unmask]