Economists are deeply unreliable. It's no wonder the field garners no respect from the public. It doesn't deserve respect.

Example:

Most economists tout the benefits of trade. They're not wrong in a fundamental sense, but they act as if because trade is basically great, it's always great and we can measure how great it is.

Well, look at how many of the masks purchased from China are dysfunctional. Trade models DO NOT adjust for that, nor for the millions of other unknowns.

Economics remains best treated as holistic philosophy. Mainstream economists have to go back to basics.