4 ms·

Ask HN: What are the best Economics online courses?

6 points by atrisx 6y ago

I am a Software developer and would like to get a better understanding of Economics. Where do I begin? Any good online courses you can recommend?

giantg2 6y ago
This doesnt just cover economics, but it's a good place to start. You can look at a CFA Foundations certification. I think it's free now.
pure_vida 6y ago
There are a ton of resources - more than you probably can consume. As someone that had similar thoughts, I'll ask you a question that i wish i clarified with myself: why do you want to learn economics / to what end? ^this is important because it will help you narrow down exactly which areas you need to learn and the best resources (i can help you with the latter :))
- dpeck 6y ago
  No op, but I’m curious. I’ve often been interested in economic thinking from a systems perspective. Ive read several books about behavioral economics and it seems fascinating but the books seem more pop-sci than textbook style and I don’t feel like there is much to take away at the end of it. Any thoughts on resources in that direction? I’m not as much interested in the math as the abstractions around it (though I wouldn’t be against digging into the math on occasion)
  - pure_vida 6y ago
    Ok well i'll recommend a few books that are more science and less popsci to start...but there are so many sub-genres underneath each that the list could go on. System-based econ books tend to be more complex/science than behavioral. I've recommended a couple favorites: technological revolutions & financial capital by carlota perez (a personal favorite), innovator's dilemma (touches on and tests fundamental econ principles), etc. Behavioral econ has typically skewed more pop sci but a few good ones that are a bit more academically rigorous are: thinking fast and slow, most of hymen minskey's books, irrational exuberance, on grand strategy, most books on game theory, etc.
    - dpeck 6y ago
      I appreciate the recommendations. Thanks!
idoh 6y ago
Some contrarian ways to understand economics: - Naval’s How to Get Rich (without getting lucky): https://twitter.com/naval/status/1002103360646823936?lang=en https://twitter.com/naval/status/1002103360646823936?lang=en - Attempt for yourself to make $1 on the internet
InterMilan 6y ago
You can register for free and login and download all PDF's [1]. It's a thorough economic course, but I didn't go through it yet. [1] https://www.core-econ.org/ https://www.core-econ.org/

6 points by atrisx 6y ago

I am a Software developer and would like to get a better understanding of Economics. Where do I begin? Any good online courses you can recommend?

giantg2 6y ago

This doesnt just cover economics, but it's a good place to start. You can look at a CFA Foundations certification. I think it's free now.

pure_vida 6y ago

There are a ton of resources - more than you probably can consume. As someone that had similar thoughts, I'll ask you a question that i wish i clarified with myself: why do you want to learn economics / to what end? ^this is important because it will help you narrow down exactly which areas you need to learn and the best resources (i can help you with the latter :))

dpeck 6y ago
No op, but I’m curious. I’ve often been interested in economic thinking from a systems perspective. Ive read several books about behavioral economics and it seems fascinating but the books seem more pop-sci than textbook style and I don’t feel like there is much to take away at the end of it. Any thoughts on resources in that direction? I’m not as much interested in the math as the abstractions around it (though I wouldn’t be against digging into the math on occasion)
- pure_vida 6y ago
  Ok well i'll recommend a few books that are more science and less popsci to start...but there are so many sub-genres underneath each that the list could go on. System-based econ books tend to be more complex/science than behavioral. I've recommended a couple favorites: technological revolutions & financial capital by carlota perez (a personal favorite), innovator's dilemma (touches on and tests fundamental econ principles), etc. Behavioral econ has typically skewed more pop sci but a few good ones that are a bit more academically rigorous are: thinking fast and slow, most of hymen minskey's books, irrational exuberance, on grand strategy, most books on game theory, etc.
  - dpeck 6y ago
    I appreciate the recommendations. Thanks!

idoh 6y ago

Some contrarian ways to understand economics: - Naval’s How to Get Rich (without getting lucky): https://twitter.com/naval/status/1002103360646823936?lang=en https://twitter.com/naval/status/1002103360646823936?lang=en - Attempt for yourself to make $1 on the internet

InterMilan 6y ago

You can register for free and login and download all PDF's [1]. It's a thorough economic course, but I didn't go through it yet. [1] https://www.core-econ.org/ https://www.core-econ.org/