My friend who used to post here and had a 6 degrees one a PhD in economics, would never participate in debates on that subject here, telling me that the level of understanding to have an intelligent discussion was very much lacking.

Just saying. I do suppose, though, it's hard to find a one armed economist. My own limited sense of the situation is that economic theory very much supports unconsciously held beliefs whatever they may be. I would guess, therefore, that the less of those one has the more objective the theory. Then there are those who have an economic stake in recommending gold, if you know what I mean.