I am sorry for your loss, Dr. Krugman.
"...people’s lives often feel very different from the inside than they look on the outside."
Yep...
10
I did not know Dr. Krueger though I read of his work. When I saw his obituary, it stunned me. When someone who appears to have everything to live for ends his life, the depth of his despair must have felt limitless. My condolences to his wife, children, family, friends, and colleagues. We should all watch out for one another ever more diligently and with more compassion and kindness.
17
What sad, sad news. What a loss for our country and those of us who have seen that good economic analysis can help improve the well being of its people. It's not just the loss of the research, the teaching and the high level policy advice. It's also the many small ways in which Alan helped those of us who interacted with him think about how we as economists could do a better job serving the public. He helped me think about how we measure health outcomes and how we could develop methods to do that better. I had hoped that he could have helped more in the future, but now that won't be. I've been crying all day. I am so sorry for his loved ones. I do pray and I've been praying that if there's something after death that Alan finds there the peace he so richly deserves. I wish he had found it in this life. Such a very sad day and such a very great loss.
16
For the past 10 years I have immersed myself in studying the political economy, the sorting out of who gets what, because that process is the alpha and omega of human interactions between two people all the way up to the global order of power. Passing the salt at a meal is an act of love and kindness we think nothing of returning, and great offense can be taken if such a small request is ignored.
The more I looked into the history of political economies and how we arrived at our present moment, the more I saw a pattern that is so ingrained in our lives that we pay no more attention to it than we do to the percentage of oxygen in the air we breathe: always an extreme minority use their power to control the process of who gets what, and along the way they increase their power by skimming a pinch of salt from each and every transaction.
They do this by already controlling the rules that are set by the political apparatus we call government, which to them is like a giant human resources department. There is no time in history when a society was run by a kakistocracy, it's always been a form of an oligarchy: neither the least amongst us, nor even the middling, ever have political control, and those in power use their power to stay in power through a feedback loop.
I believe Alan Krueger knew the salt shaker was running out and was not going to be refilled. I think he saw common decency waning as common folks saw through the shaker glass too. If not, then what was his despair?
6
@Chris
Your oligarchic economic theory is correct, but one shouldn't pretend to surmise what caused the good Alan Krueger to make his final exit.
There's simply no accounting for depression and the far-flung ravages of the human psyche.
20
@Socrates
This is absolutely true.
There is no simple way to understand depression and the inescapable horror that people can experience as a result.
7
@Socrates -- Fair enough, I thought that it was probably a mistake to make a suggestion, but I was thinking of whether his great knowledge and understanding of the world was an ingredient in the utterly complex and unknowable circumstances that led him down the path he took.
I think of Robert Frost's poem in this:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
6
You know what? I love you Paul!
Thank you for everything!
11
Dr. Krugman, it's clear from the brevity of your tribute that this must have been a terrible shock. I'm sorry.
20
I am always impressed by Paul Krugmans empathy. It is woven into his exceptionally intelligent commentary. His humor is a cherry on top.
Thank you Paul Krugman. What would we do without you in these dark and insane times?
Thank you!
26
The Times has done many stories on former football players who committed suicide, a number of whom had marked financial and other problems, whose families denied they were depressed and totally attributed the suicides to CTE.
Dr. Krueger's death once again reminds us that even people who seem to be having seemlingly perfect lives can have inner anguish that cause them to see death as their only way to attain any peace.
15
Condolences to Professor Krueger's family, friends, and students. And thank you to Professor Krugman for this portrait, both personal and professional, of his colleague.
-----------
Krueger and Card's minimum wage research is from 1992?!?!? That's 27 years ago! By this point, their research should be regarded as truth, just like the shape of the earth is accepted as round--no questions asked.
15
Regarding the problem of intellectual property, I think the proper way to play this is to offer a shorter patent enforcement timeframe for those products that are being produced using Chinese labor. We cannot allow China to receive intellectual property just as a cost of doing business. That’s unacceptable. Only offer to shorten the enforcement timeframe as I stated, on products produced there.
1
My interactions with the great professor were few and far between but as those closest to him have attested, he cared deeply about his fellow human beings and I am tempted to speculate that the recent state of affairs might have made him despondent (as it has so many of us). His passing reminds me of Don McLean’s lyrics in his song about Vincent VanGogh: “This world was never meant for one as beautiful as you”. I wish it weren’t so. My heart goes out to this wonderful man’s family and friends.
15
Dr. Krugman,
My deepest condolences on the tragic loss of your colleague — and friend.
In the words of the poet:
Loss, and Possession, Death and Life are one.
There falls no shadow where there shines no sun.
— From "On a Sundial" (Hilaire Belloc, 1938)
6
First, thanks for the interesting column about a remarkable economist.
I also want to comment about his work on Puerto Rico's minimum wage. In my time there I observed the entrenched semi-poverty of the Hispanic community on the island. More than half of the island population was on food stamps. In the places that I stayed because of the tourist industry the people who were prospering the most were those who spoke multiple languages, followed by those who spoke only English, and last by people who spoke only Spanish. Linguistics was a better key to economic status then was race! The minimum wage there was and is only high in the sense that it is the federal minimum wage, high in comparison to the average wage on this poor island, but lower than overall average US minimum wages.
The effect of wages on overall employment percent is the key to understanding why the economy is so weak. Wages are so far below the national average that people there have very little money to drive their economy through consumption compared to the other states. Consumption by tourists is a vital part of an otherwise low wage, low consumption economy. There is no other trickle-down to relieve the overall depressed state of low spending. Low wages cause! slow economic activity and thus low wages. (Not high taxes on the rich.)
7
The minimum wage increases may make sense when comparing a market that is wholly affected by the increase, like restaurants that compete with other restaurants within a relatively small radius but that is an incomplete comparison as my NY clients compete nationally and when your labor cost is 33% higher than your competitors in other states, you can’t compete unless you automate or move. McDonald’s and Wendy’s will all increase the price of a burger and where is the customer going to go, Connecticut, North Carolina? but a national retailer will merely tell you your price is too high and will buy from the least expensive source whether it be North Carolina or China.
1
So sad, condolences to you and those who knew him.
How do we not see these things before it's too late. So sad.
7
Richard Cory
Whenever Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.
And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said,
"Good-morning," and he glittered when he walked.
And he was rich – yes, richer than a king –
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.
So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.
I am sorry about this loss but I am sadder for the man who felt it was better to end it all then continue to live.
23
New York state must have listened to him because it is raising the minimum wage over a number of years. Anecdotally, the effect has been a bunch of restaurants closing down, the managers literally saying, "I can't afford the increased minimum wage." Maybe that's a good thing. Is a restaurant based economy really sustainable?
2
That he gets dubbed one of the "greatest labor economists of all time" for the minimum wage study is a very sad statement about the economics profession. So he's looking at data from the real world? Revolutionary! Compare two similar places one which changes its minimum wage and try to parse out the noise and observe the effect. Who would've thunk it??!! What were labor economists doing before this? And that many conservative economists got angry about his result is even worse. Not only is it not rocket science. It appears that until Kreuger it could barely be called social science.
5
While some have mentioned depression, I have to wonder, as I did in Bourdain's case, whether Mr. Krueger was on any medications that had suicidal tendencies as a side effect. Bourdain traveled extensively and had mentioned relying on Ambien, which has such effects documented. As sleep begins to get difficult just about the age Mr. Krueger was, I wish the Times would have a reporting team look at some of the high-profile suicides in the past 5-10 years with this in mind. Many people do not know about these side effects. Having been on a similar medication with similar effects, I feel lucky to have been able to get off them - at which these tendencies disappeared.
31
@Sara
Such an important point! This is exactly what I believe happened to my own 20 year-old and why I called and continue to call his death an accident rather than suicide, in spite of how others have criticized me for what they view as denial at best and lying at worst. Doctors especially need to learn far more about these suicidal side-effects and then follow their Hippocratic Oath “primum non nocere", first, do no harm!
9
@Sara Or maybe he would have been helped by a certain medication?
1
@Sara
If only it were that simple.
Depression is complex, and everyone is different.
Unfortunately, there are no easy answers.
Depression is a scourge.
2
This is sad, tragic and such a waste. I remember learning about the Gatsby curve (and Greg Mankiw's counter) and appreciating how elegantly it explained our lot in life. And his researches weren't just for the consumption by the propeller heads in ivory towers, they had real-life practical applications - whenever I read about Jared and Ivanka, I thought here is the Gatsby curve in action. When the unemployment rates remained low during the fight for $15 living wage, I thought of Krueger in action. I had been wondering if he had any thoughts on whether Philiips curve should be retired. His book, Rockonomics, is coming out in June. Let's all be sure to buy and read it.
16
In the past 2 years I have personally know 2 people who have committed suicide, the comedians Stevie Ryan and Brody Stevens. What they probably have in common with Mr. Krueger is that all of them were highly intelligent, successful, and loved. Depression and mental illness is the silent killer. I am not claiming these individuals are mentally ill but I do know many out there are suffering to cope. We are all humbled when thinking of the passing of the great Anthony Bourdain. If you are down ask for help. If you suffer find help. Reach out and speak to anyone you can find. Find a way to walk through with another person or professional help. Don't attempt to do it alone. YOU MATTER. If you don't stick around your brilliant energy won't be here to change things for the better. We need you. We really do. Remember that in your darkest hour. My deepest sympathy to Mr. Kruegers family.
43
Yea, Eugene was in my house. My parents are friends with him. I think he was worried about me for a while. No need. I love this country and Bernie.
2
Beautifully written. The sadness of this loss to society is overwhelming for my wife and me. We have two sons about his age and his near perfect looks and accomplishments made his suicide surreal. My wife brought the news report to my attention and I was hoping that you would use your gift to memorialize his work and you did not fail. Thanks to you and the NYTimes for all the pieces published in honor of this remarkable public servant.
Our deepest condolences to his family. This is a tough one to accept.
33
My condolences to Alan Krueger's family and one ask. Once your necessary mourning is over, can you provide some needed inspiration and leadership in the area of mental health? Professor Krueger was clearly uber successful in his professional life and appeared from a distance to have it all. Obviously there were other struggles confronting him unknown to others. Maybe, just maybe, by sharing his story and challenges, that one other life, and possibly more can be saved?
13
I think the saddest part of knowing someone who commits suicide is so frequently we are surprised there was a problem. The only thing I can say is to try to be more aware of how life is going for your friends and family. Take time to ask "how are things going" and then really listen .... to what may be between the lines.
If we are lucky we may just sense the pain and can simply extend to them that we are willing to listen and offer help, if it is wanted. And, then give them a call in a few days just to say "hello" and let them know you are there for them. We so rarely get that opportunity but, if it happens, it is priceless.
20
Thank you for this tribute to Alan. I worked with him at the Labor Economics Section at the National Bureau of Economic Research while we were graduate students in our mid-twenties. He was inquisitive, curious, and loved to debate the intricacies of empirical economics. I remember him peeking above the walls of his cubicle and tossing out probing questions to those who walked by —hoping to engage them in discussion.
26
When I read the news about this yesterday, I had to do a double take. I went to Google News to see if it was really true -- no offense NYT, it's just that I was in denial...and I still am.
Rarely, I become overwhelmed by the death of someone I did not know personally. The first time it happened was when Yitzhak Rabin died in 1995, then George Harrison in 2001, then Glen Campbell in 2017. And so now, with the passing of Alan Krueger I am inexplicably crushed. It makes no sense. I was never aware of myself being particularly connected with these individuals in any special way. Yes, I followed the work of Alan Krueger the way I did Yitzhak Rabin and listened to the musicians, but folks the way I feel about the loss of this economist just does not make sense.
I feel the least I could do is express how I feel in hopes other can know he will be missed for reasons that cannot be explained.
48
@Chris There are people, who when they die, make the world a less interesting place. I never liked the Versace look but when GV was killed I was devastated. Some people have such a charisma or intellect that their passing casts a long shadow.
2
This may not be published, but I hope it will be. The finest and most sensitive and compassionate people often die by suicide, not because of depression, but because of false beliefs about themselves that are instilled during childhood and then reinforced during adulthood. My father died by suicide and I contemplated it myself in prior years. Unbearable psychic pain and the belief that one is defective is the cause. It is important that we understand the factors so that people with these mistaken beliefs, who are often perfectionists, understand that they do not need to be perfect to be loved and valued both by themselves and others.
77
After teaching his minimum-wage research to my undergrads for over 15 years, it was a thrill to briefly meet Dr. Krueger at a conference. Even though I was almost his age, I probably came off like a starstruck little kid. But he was gracious, and I cherish that memory.
What a loss. For so many people. Not to sound like a know-it-all here, but: if you’re not an economist, it’s hard to understand the brilliance of his work. (And, not to sell his co-authors short… They are brilliant, too.)
32
I feel we know Alan from your beautiful writing and we know his lost is painful for you and the country,
Alan gave us all so much making this country a better place for the rest of us left behind,
You have countless memories of Alan and I hope they bring you great joy.
Alan will be remembered for all of the good he did for all Few people in such a high pressure position are remembered fondly but we will not forget him,
14
The obituary for Alan Krueger may be the most wrenching one I've ever read. A life shaped by analysis both probing and caring, now shortened by his choice. The only link between those two paths may be compassion: what his life's work reflected and what his death evokes.
11
"But people’s lives often feel very different from the inside than they look on the outside."
So true. Last night, one of my husband's co-workers called. She was in the street, no where to go, he told her get in a cab, you can sleep here. He had thought she had a great husband and family, turns out she and her spouse had not spoken for a month, one of her kids has cancer. When she left her home, her family thought she was off to commit suicide. She stayed with us. You never know.
Thanks for this tribute. "Death is one moment, and life is so many of them." - Tennessee Williams
44
Peace to Alan Krueger, his loved ones, friends, all who knew and cared for him.
From Krugman's column and many comments we know that Krueger the man, his brilliance and work touched many in a positive way. What better memorial is there?
15
Paul and all Economists,
I am sorry for your loss, a tragic way for any one of us to leave our World.
Thank you for sharing.
12
I am a labor economist who was influenced by Alan Krueger's work. He was an outstanding empirical, data-driven, economist. He was a teacher, researcher, policy analyst, and government servant. Testimonials have come in from colleagues all over the country. It is so sad that his voice will not be heard any longer.
32
I am so sorry for the pain he must have been in, a pain that no one should ever have to endure.
I sincerely hope that he has found peace.
29
I am so sad for the death of anyone by suicide, but especially one so clearly in the prime of his productive years. My sincere condolences to you, his other colleagues and friends, and especially to his family.....I know from experience that suicide leaves too, too many unanswered and unanswerable questions and makes for an emotional train wreck for friends/family. Please use your platform to encourage suicide prevention efforts and organizations. Peace.
22
Professor, I’m very sorry for the loss of your friend and colleague. My sincere condolences to his Family. I wish you peace.
28
I know that Alan Krueger's work is very influential, and read his papers in graduate school. It seems he has it all, both in academic and policy world. A true "star". So his passing really came as a shock today. I really cannot fathom what made him take this step, as reported. I felt compelled to express my sympathy, but also know this expression means very little. Sad.
19
I would watch Professor Krueger appear on cable business channels from time to time discussing the minimum wage and other labor economic issues. What always struck me was his decency and his concern for the often-forgotten little guy trying to eke out a living.
He will be missed.
64
I fear speaking out of ignorance BUT: a handsome, brilliant, accomplished man commits suicide. Should we be talking about depression? I do not know, as I said. Nor do I have the right to ask those who were close to him and know to speak
sometime about the causes of his death. I do know that it is
very hard for the depressed, even the most accomplished among them, to speak of their woes. As sophisticated as we may be, we still do not accept depression as an illness, which is not the fault of the person suffering from it.
39
I'm saddened to hear of Alan Krueger's death, and I am very sorry you lost a friend and a colleague, Paul.
34
Princetonians of every Class and perspective are desolated by the loss of this fine teacher to conscious choice. All teachers should be lent the passionate support they extend to our development, happiness, and service to others.
21
I never knew this man. However, reading your tribute to him leaves me with regrets at not having at least met him once. Although this is trite I'll put here: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Since we never know when the people we love and are loved by will die never miss a chance to tell them you love them, you care for them, and that they are important. This way whichever one of you dies first there will be no misunderstandings: you both knew you were loved by each other.
I'm sorry for your loss.
36
I offer my condolences to the family of this shining person.
And thank you Dr Krugman. I hope you will write and tell us more about this man, who did so much to uplift the world.
21
I was hoping to see an elegiac piece about Alan Krueger from Dr. Krugman, and sure enough, here it is. Thank you, Paul. You never disappoint. Dr. Krueger's death is depressing news, but this surely helps.
36
I know that many economists are praising Alan for his concentration on empiricism, so I hate to go off into theory at this time, but I believe that good theories can provide a guide to finding meaningful paths for empirical research.
I must admit that I was surprised to see that localized natural experiments in minimum wages produced this outcome, because I had always believed that a larger macroeconomic system would be required to offset the rise in minimum wage, and it was good to be proven wrong.
Having said that, I am of the firm belief that our current economic maladies would be well remedied by a global rise in wages. The 'secular stagnation' that took place after the financial collapse would have been well remedied by this. I think we're at a point in history where the risk of not changing our global system of capital flow, finance and trade is much higher than changing it significantly. Conservatism on this issue is doing great damage to the world.
I have several recommendations for changing the global system, but the most important is to put in place a system of 'inverse tariffs' on labor.
It works very simply: proceeds from the export of labor are to be distributed to labor according to a formula that primarily factors in the non-PPP wage differential between nations.
It is very difficult politically for individual nations to redistribute wealth to labor without being accused of socialism. But if many nations enforce it upon each other, everyone wins.
@DudeNumber42
There's not enough room to get across big ideas here, but I want to add to this the obvious positive outcomes and address the obvious objections.
Let's just take the situation of the US and its use of foreign labor, and most specifically the labor of China and India, to maximize consumption of US completed goods. Many of those completed goods are not of much use to the labor in the nations that supply the labor, because their wages are too low to afford the products that most people in the US enjoy. There has to be an upward force upon their wages beyond the obvious long-term economic development that economists focus upon. It should be produced in every case with every nation in the SHORT run as well as the long run.
The obvious objection is that the higher those wages are the less likely the US corporations are to use that labor, which is true. You can't offset the wage differential too much; this is an are for empirical research to determine the ideal formulas. Yes, many industries would shift labor in response, but overall the target nations would be better off because rather than pulling in all of their skilled labor for our supply chains, it would leave more room for some of that labor to peel off into entrepreneurship to build those economies through grass-roots, democratically inclined means.
And of course the effort would largely placate the US objections to the lowering of US labor rates, because US wages would also rise in the process.
All but certain that he suffered from severe depression. That that horrid disease leads to suicide should never, ever happen.
5
if minimum wage laws dont have any affect on employment why dont we just raise the minimum wage to $25 an hour or $50 an hour. im sure we would all like to make that kind of money. of course minimum wage laws do have an affect on employment just not at the level that the were measured at in these studies. labor markets are a lot more complicated that we thought they were but so are the affects of minimum wage laws on employment.
2
@allen: no one said minimum wage laws have no effect on employment. It was not the point of the story. This was a tribute to a brilliant man and the difference he made in his 58 years. Try reading it again with an open mind.
15
@allen if you read his work you'll get it. It is not that you can just raise it indefinitely... there's a breaking point. Finding it is the question.
6
@allen. Sad to hear about Krueger's death and agree his work on minimum wages was well done and important. But agree with Allen's point. There has been a tendency to refer to these studies as "proof" that raising minimum wages doesn't hurt employment, and some of that is reflected in these comments. The interpretation is likely more complicated; There appear to be cases where the wage hikes have little impact on hiring. depending on labor market conditions that determine the sensitivity of employment to wage levels in a given market at a given time.
Sorry for your loss.. Good to hear about a good man.
17
Hard to see imagine the painful compulsion to take such a final step when a family is involved.
3
All Americans owe a debt of gratitude for Alan Kreuger's service to the country in D.C. in the dark days following 2008, then again when 'No Drama' Obama asked him to return as head of the C.E.A.
Above and beyond appreciating a person for their intellect, insight, and shining the searchlight of truth into dark corners and onto voodoo, we appreciate Alan Krueger's service to our country.
54
Thank you for a sensitive column celebrating the accomplishments of Alan Krueger. His work has helped shape public policy in a positive direction towards helping those in our society struggling to get ahead.
33
Being a model is a huge burden. Perhaps his widow would someday find the courage to write about Prof Krueger's inner life so the world might learn more about the man.
Right now, beyond his brilliance, he seemed to be a compassionate and genuine man. Perhaps it was his personality to give and not to take, even though you economists should know the world is about give and take.
Maybe it was a conscious act - not sure it is still in existence, Hemlock Society used to advocate conscious suicide - but great minds like Alan Krueger and David Foster Wallace are not immune from psychic pain leading them to seek a permanent solution to a temporary yet seemingly insurmountable despair. We need to learn from that. No matter how much you are in awe of people like Krueger, they also need our acceptance that they are just as human as we are. By the same token, perhaps we should be less hyper-critical about others, for we really don't know what inner demon they have. Perhaps a collective compassion can help to de-stigmatize a lot of tabooed emotions like suicidal despair
30
@Bos, the "inner demon" can also be something as straightforward as a serious illness with little/no hope of recovery, in which case a decision to end one's life can even be rational.
19
This is so sad. A valuable life snuffed out. What a shame. Sometimes internal pain is far to severe to cope. May Professor Krueger rest in peace.
24
Forgive me for focusing on Professor Krueger's death. On the surface he seemed to have led a wonderful life. He was handsome, accomplished, and seemed happily married, with lots of interesting friends and colleagues, including David Leonhardt and Paul Krugman, who have written about him. I recall seeing a picture of him somewhere, where he was playing with his then small children, all having lots of fun.
Ironically, Times columnist, David Brooks, had an interesting column on suicide recently, in which he argued that people need to be connected to a community to lessen the chances of their killing themselves. Sadly that doesn't seem to have applied in Alan's case. He had lots of friends, colleagues, and students. His death leaves a hole in the Princeton community. It also leaves a shadow on the lives of his wife and children.
I only had one meeting with him, about a dozen years ago. He was quick to express anger at something anodyne I said. I wonder if that is a clue. Anger seems to be correlated with depression, which is highly correlated with suicide.
What a terrible loss to his family, friends, the Princeton community, and the profession of academic economics.
24
@Diogenes
It's something of a psychological bromide that depression is often anger turned inward for lack of a fitting external recipient.
@Karl It may be a bromide, which I take to be a sleeping pill, but still may be true. Alan's quickness to anger in that incident may be a sign of bi-polar illness. Although we must respect the family's privacy, one can't help speculate about his senseless and puzzling death.
I am so sorry for the loss of your talented and compassionate economist colleague, Professor Krugman. His legacy will forever improve the conditions of the working class--IF we take up the torch and forward his message.
23
I'm sorry to hear of the death of your former Princeton colleague, Alan Krueger. He sounds to have been an interesting man with some interesting ideas. I wish I had known him.
8
My thesis was on minimum wage effects. Obviously, the Card-Krueger study weighed heavily in my lit review. I find that I'm incredibly sad by his death, though I didn't know him. So tragic to see a fellow econ take his own life.
19
This wonderful economist empirically demonstrated that minimum wage increases matter and improve lives and that the great right-wing fears of same are unwarranted.
This wonderful man empirically demonstrated the Great Gatsby Curve connection between concentration of wealth in one generation and the ability of those in the next generation to move up the economic ladder compared to their parents.
The curve shows that children from poor families are less likely to improve their economic status as adults in countries where income inequality was higher, such as in the USA , around the time those very children were growing up.
Alan Krueger was a brilliant human and a force for good.
We all should salute today and every day going forward by carrying on his work for him.
“On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend's life also, in our own, to the world.”
- Henry David Thoreau
Alan Krueger lives on in all of us in honest, compassionate, humane economics.
172
@Socrates Thanks for your comment. I've missed seeing them.
36
Thank you for explaining Mr. Kruegers worth to our society. I didn't know and in this discovery I sense the loss of someone whose mind and compassionate view of society much needed in the USA today. Sorry, also, for the loss of a your friend.
49
Well said. He was the leader of the counterrevolution against the right wing neoclassical theorists whose lock on the journals led to a withering deterioration of the profession. But today’s Times article on the sad condition of women in economics show how far we have yet to go.
16
Thank you for this reflective piece. Psychologists, my wife and I regarded you as the only economist we knew who was actually interested in behavioral research. It is good to know there is a community of them, and sad that it has lost so genuinely humane and empirical a member as Krueger.
20
Some geniuses think too far ahead for this world to keep up. They see how to make to make the world better, but are frustrated by a world that insists on continuing to suffer.
I don't know much about your friend, but he sounds like such a person.
The "dismal science" is beclouded by lot of assumptions, and because most practitioners are conservative, those assumptions are tinted by a conservative lens. When someone has the vision to differentiate assumptions from observations and the drive and discipline to test the assumptions, true science occurs.
Science, if we pay attention, teaches us how to improve our lot. That's what Alan Krueger gave us. It's hard to imagine a more precious gift.
13
It is so very sad when the world loses a brilliant intellectual in the USA at a time when the country seems to be suffering from gross lack of critical thinking and intellectual curiosity.
That being said, Dr. Krueger's work in behavioral and labor economics shone an important empirically based spotlight on the political football of minimum wage hikes and its impact on the economy and workers.
His gift to the field of labor economics thought and what it means to the average worker will be an enduring legacy that will not be forgotten. May he rest in peace.
60
My condolences to you Professor Krugman.
41
Thank you for your sensitive column.
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Would it be reasonable for the NY times to include information about suicide prevention after this opinion piece about the suicide of a prominent scholar/figure?
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I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend and colleague.
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A true gentleman and a scholar. We will all miss him. There are very few who can wear his shoes or will ever be able to.
In a world rife with hatred and fear, incompetence and cruelty, Alan was a shining star of hope. He still is.
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In a time when the lowest common denimator is celibrated, it is a universal tragedy to lose a first-class mind.
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I knew him briefly while at a research post. A thoughtful, kind person to all around him, friendly to everyone from building staff to professors, and a good listener. Depression is a tragedy.
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Not knowing precise fact what led him to taking this drastic last action, I refer to his curious comment to Mr. David Leonhardt (link attached at the end of Prof’s comment) regarding “friends and fatigue”. Those of us who went through episodes of depression would tell you sudden emergence of this indefinable fatigue, followed by entering into a dark tunnel of total hopelessness, thus leading to suicidal thoughts. I am afraid he crossed the line to the other side at one of those moments.
RIP Prof. Krueger!
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This was the paper—https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00220480109596106, a basic of econometrics.
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Extremely sad.
There is something inexplicable happening in the States: Veterans commit suicide every day, young students, soldiers, and other people.
The same thing happens in Japan.
Is it the result of the "American Dream" and happy economic development under Capitalism?
Krueger will be deeply missed.
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I'm just as puzzled as anyone as why anyone with this level of success in life would consciously choose to end it.
I suppose deaths of despair don't always root in alcohol or opioid addiction.
I always remember what a saintly old nun said to me: everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle and carrying a heavy load.
Be kind, gentle, and good to your fellow human beings.
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I was a doctoral student studying fast food chains when Dr. Krueger's minimum wage study came out. His (and my) motivation for studying fast food was the uniformity--it would be hard to argue that Burger Kings on one side of the Delaware River could be much different in terms of supply or demand than those on the other. Thus the effects of a minimum wage hike could be isolated as well as possible in a real-world setting.
But anyway as soon as I saw his study I realized how brilliant the research design was and how much more impactful it would be than anything I was doing. The best work in the social sciences is elegant and simple. Krueger's work was both of those and he became a superstar. I got tangled up in details, my work was published but the impact was minimal.
But I was never jealous; his work was too undeniably compelling for pettiness. I had the chance to meet Krueger a decade ago and we spent an hour talking about the study and its implications. At least I got to tell him personally how much I liked his work. RIP.
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when so many among the struggling minimum wage earners who were hoping for a raise in their wage level to make life a little easier for them have lost a giant who was on their side trying to plead their case with scientific proof.
They all, and we all have lost a giant in his field and we are poorer for that.
He must have gone through severe internal suffering that we will never understand nor realize looking from outside.
Hope his family finds the support and help to bear this loss.
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No, I won't dwell on how he died or why. Instead, I applaud Prof. Krueger's ability to make the most obscure concepts of the Dismal Science comprehensible by the educated layperson. I have only a passing acquaintance with economics as a field of study and obviously haven't read the entire body of his professional contributions. But those I have read were written with a clarity that expands their audience beyond economists and social sciences researchers. Some of his academic writings conveyed a sense of the wit and charm that were so evident in his public presentations.
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I was hospitalized for severe, debilitating depression resulting from an episode of PTSD. The intense psychic pain and darkness I experienced was something I could never have imagined possible. I was fortunate, I received excellent professional care and after a few years of talk counseling and the most beautiful and unwavering love and support of my wife I was okay. I was not suicidal, but then my depression was treatable.
So I know how bad the pain can be and my heart aches for Alan Krueger suffering and, of course, his family, colleagues and close friends. I always paid attention to Mr. Krueger when he appeared on Bloomberg and found his explanations of economic subjects fascinating.
Alan Krueger was a gifted White Hat, RIP.
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Just this past week, David Brooks wrote a column about suicide, and the importance of connection, of reaching out when one is suffering from depression, or has a family member who is. We may never know if this had been done in Mr. Krueger's case, and frankly, the particulars aren't any of our business.
But when we look at someone like Alan Krueger, enormously successful, with a wonderful family, and in the prime of life, it is extremely hard for many of us to understand what would be happening in this gentleman's life to bring him to the act he took. Whether Mr. Krueger was suffering from depression or was driven by some other situation is unclear.
But if it was depression, it is understandable, at least to me. I have too much experience with this awful disease. Let me just say this -- it isn't a weakness. It isn't a moral failing. It is an addiction to death. It fights back against every medical treatment. And it is a stealthy assailant.
I am hoping this fine man has found some peace. I am hoping his family is receiving support and comfort. I will not say "thoughts and prayers". I would just hope that his family may continue to reach out to those who are most meaningful in their lives, and receive some comfort. They have lost a wonderful husband and father.
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@Garrison Kane A beautiful, poignant comment. Thank you.
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Speaking from personal experience, I know he must have felt that this was his only option.
My heart goes out to his family and friends who are so grieving at his loss. If I could hug them I would.
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I am not well versed on economists but any time we lose a man of research with ethics it is an enormous loss to a society that currently is attacked by those who do not have ethics and use limited evidence.
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Prof Krueger chose the way out that I have puzzled about others I have known before - Prof Andrew Lange, astrophysicist, and of course, Robin Williams who had stopped by my lab in Berkeley while filming Patch Adams in the same building - Leconte Hall.
Truth was supposed to set you free, but the more we learn about the world the more evident it is that there is a ever smaller part of it you can do much to change, or even affect.
this does not mean that you are without hope, or without pleasure, but also overwhelmed by the world and its implications.
While some people, outwardly very successful and happy, choose the less common answer to 'to be or not to be?' remains a mystery.
We can only hope that Alan Krueger is in a better place.
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This is a mental health tragedy. By all accounts Mr. Krueger loved his family very much. He must have been in enormous pain. If a highly educated professor with Princeton healthcare did not get help, how does that bode for so many others?
Hoping his family finds solace with so many wonderful comments coming in from all corners. I was not familiar with his work though I will always remember him in the best possible light: honest, hard-working, with an intellect contributing to the greater good.
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Alan Krueger was a giant in the field of Economics, whether one agreed with him or not. I fondly remember learning about and dissecting the topic of minimum wage through the famous Card and Krueger experiment in my Labor Economics class. Condolences to his family, friends, and the broader economist community, he will be greatly missed!
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No one ever really knows what goes on inside the minds of those closest to us. All we can do is listen, support and, when asked, help.
These last ten years have been full of loss, sadness, suffering and hopelessness. There's been plenty of objective reasons why so many have given up, over and beyond those who suffer from clinical depression.
I hope he's in a better place now.
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@Rima Regas, this last decade has been pretty bleak. Thanks (as always) for your wise words.
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@Rima Regas there are things we can overcome and then there those events that, if they continue to happen over and over again, destroy the spirit. At that point it doesn't matter what your achievements are, how much you are loved, or how bright your future might be. Resilience is not eternal. There is real need for this country to learn how to treat its citizens and residents with far more compassion and kindness than it does now.
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