Seth Emblem

Ph.D., Economics 

Hometown: China Spring, Texas

What is your research area?
It's too early to say for sure, but I am interested in game theory.  

What is something cool about your field?
The stereotypical view of economists is that they obsess over graphs and try to predict the stock market, but the field is so much more intellectually enriching than that.  The core of the discipline requires us to contemplate the nature of human motivation and how human beings respond to incentives.  To paraphrase Keynes, an economist must be a mathematician, historian, statesman, and a philosopher to some degree. Certainly does not sound like a "dismal science" to me.  

What is the best thing you've done as a graduate student at SMU so far?
Volunteering for a conference hosted by the Economics department. 

What is your favorite thing to do in Dallas?
I have not done all that much in Dallas outside of my classes my first year, but I do like the number of sporting events DFW has to offer. 

What do you wish you'd known before starting graduate schools?
That sleeping in your cubicle in an attempt to maximize study time is NEVER a best response. 

What is your favorite leisure activity?
My favorite leisure activity is going home (where the heart is), seeing my family (the humans and the dogs), and watching my sister play basketball for my old high school (when it's in season).