econconfusion

Maybe I was too broad when I said "understand" - I had no intention of trivializing economics. I'm interested in it because it's both complex and relevant. I just want to know more than I know now.

If I were to look at physics, I can model simple systems in classical physics quite easily using a computer. In biology I can model population dynamics. Doing so helps me learn, and I find it gives me a deeping understanding as it forces me to be clear about exactly what is going into a model.

I'm aware that economics is a much softer science, but other than Peter Novig's example I can't find much in the way of modelling as a learning tool (rather than a research tool).

Does that approach exist anywhere?

While I really like the video, it's not quite what I'm looking for.

I'd be interested in an attempt to take these simple ideas: credit, debt, etc and created a simple model that shows how credit leads to cycles, where I can play with parameters and see exactly what affacts what.

For example, why cycles? Why should credit across multiple people synchronize into cycles? why not just average out? Exactly what assumptions go into this?