30 CommentsThere are tipsters, and then, readers, there are tipsters: in a brazen and heretofore unequaled act of guerilla reporting (at least around here), a student in economics prof Xavier Sala-i-Martin’s class found himself a seat in the front of the motley Catalan’s lecture hall and let the cell phone camera roll. What he captured is almost too unspeakable to describe; an arcane ceremony consisting of endearingly misfired wisecracks (just what was the James Bond bit about?) and a rather unfortunate pink robe. We’ve been told that this has something to do with Sala-i-Martin’s legendary M&M Peanut Minute competition, in which “brave” students are recognized for being able to answer his “M&M Peanut Minute” econ question of the day. It’s as good a theory as any. Judge for yourselves.
-ARR
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30 Comments
@Anonymous Sorry everybody! He asked that I put it down so I don’t spoil it for future students taking his class. If you’ve already taken the class, though, and want to relive the moment over and over again, shoot me an email and I’ll see what I can do. rab2148@columbia.edu
@My name :( He butchered my name *sadface*. It’s pronounced just like “Graham,” like the damn crackers.
@nooooooooo why can’t you post it online?? what happened to it? it was hilarious!!!
@yes noooooo, i wanted to watch it over and over again every day and now i can not :(
@Anonymous Oops, I’m actually not allowed to post this online.
@oh man xavier is a bad ass mother fucker. i love that guy.
@xavier is crazy. I wish robert jervis would take a leaf out of his book. I might actually go to lecture and/or pay attention if he did.
does this mean i have a facile mind?
@cupcake. yea bwog. cover the story on harvard financial aid. let the pressure begin.
@why has bwog not covered this? (sorry, the link is broken up)
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/education/10cnd-harvard.html ex=1354942800&en=3ce3523aabbf68f8&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
@mexican friends “Some of you who are Spanish or have Mexican friends may be tempted to call me ‘Javier.’ That would be a mistake.”
@Thought I think Xavier and Cyntia would make a great couple. And Cyntia is…ooof, i’d hit that. I don’t care if she’s 40. Probably just 39.
@macro nostalgia “Some of you may be tempted to call me “X-avier”. This would be a mistake. … Some of you may be tempted to call me “Javier”. This, too, would be a mistake. Some of you may like comic books. You may be tempted to call me “Professor X”. This, too, would, be a mistake.”
Also, the answer to the chalk color question is always fuchsia.
@and it’s not “X-avier”, nor is it “Sha-vee-Err”.
It is “Sha-vee-ey”
hah.
@hmm still wrong. “Sha-bee-ey.”
Did he not make your Macro class practice?
@yay! best.class.ever.
only bc Xavier is amusing to watch.
And the color fuschia.
And the M&Ms
@curious can someone explain the M&M Peanut Minute in more detail? Like what actually happens, and what some of the questions are like?
@you're totally not part of the cult. Shavyay says no.
@example taking investment into account, can someone explain the direct and indirect effects on the output demand and output supply curves, equilibrium values of output and interest rate, and the effects on the money market.
also, which color chalk should i use for these new curves.
(i heart xavier)
@wow I sort of want to take this class now.
@Robes Bwog, I’m pretty sure the robes are his class robes. They would be Pink because he went to school in Barcelona and they are school colors.
Confirm please!
@Actually I’m pretty sure the robe is from Harvard University. I have a friend whose parents (both Columbia profs) got their Ph.D’s there, and now have to wear bright pink/fuschia/magenta/whatever-color-you-want-to-call-that robes to commencement ever year.
Also, I did some research to check back up my theory, and found that Xavier did indeed get his degree from Harvard.
Anyone else want to confirm or deny?
@I'm dumb Or crimson for Harvard crimson. Duh.
@Alum Confirmed. That’s definitely a Harvard doctoral gown, and Xavier is a Harvard Ph.D.
@Anonymous Man, I *wish* my cell phone had a camera. Nah, this was taken by a plain old digital camera.
I’m going to miss that class.
@not gulati he takes a big giant shit on gulati
xavier forever
@bond reference xavier mentioned bond as a reference to one of his great anecdotes.
i will miss xavier. he doesn’t have the pompous bullshit last lecture like gulati, but his final words on the importance of economics is much more powerful than gulati’s fake passion.
@there is no doubt that Xavier is the man.
@I'm going to miss that class so much. I’ve had Foner and Gulati and Xavier is unrivaled…
@XAVIER!! I’m glad someone finally got this on camera. That man is a fucking legend and I miss Macro.
@hmm this looks stupid. i’m against it.