[JumpCrisscross]

> It's possible that we focus on theory because it spreads economic orthodoxy faster than empirical work

Or for the same reasons we start physics in a frictionless, idealized environment.

[arethuza]

Pretty sure when I started physics in high school we started with measuring trolleys accelerating (or not) done an inclined run timed with ticker tape and covered the maths alongside the experiments.

Edit: I seem to remember friction being addressed pretty quickly as it was required to explain why your trolley would stop accelerating.... [NB It's been 30+ years]