Quote rent-control sources correctly
It is amazing how the anti-rent-control camp can claim to read
something -- like Dr. John I. Gilderbloom’s “Rent Control in the
United States: A Survey of Cities” -- then publicly make false claims
about its content. Case in point: Bob Hungerson’s letter of Nov. 30.
Mr. Hungerson, you have absolutely no room to berate someone about
not telling the whole story. One could drive 20 Mack trucks through
what you omitted in your “synopsis” of Dr. Gilderbloom’s material.
Kudos, however, for trying to educate yourself on rent control.
Do not be discouraged by your initial failure to grasp the
concepts. Truly, you are to be commended in your selection of Dr.
Gilderbloom. He is a nationally recognized expert in the matter of
urban housing -- a viable and objective source.
Now, what you need to really work on is your objectivity. Your
interpretation of referenced passages, when taken in context, in no
way resembles what the material says. Much of your confusion is
probably due to a preconceived notion of rent control. Helpful hint
No. 1: Forget everything you learned in “How to Distort Data and
Promote Misinformation” classes, and try to start fresh.
Helpful hint No. 2: Read the material, then ask yourself basic
questions. For instance, when you stated that “Gilderbloom’s main
purpose is to defend rent control ... “ your next question should be,
“Now, where did I come up with that?” When, as in this case, you
cannot locate the basis for that opinion, you will know you
superimposed your own prejudices on the data. Repeat the process as
required. You may find you have to use this a lot at first, but
eventually you will get the hang of objectivity.
Helpful hint No. 3: Learn to distinguish between what the writer
“says” vs. what he/she “reports.” There is a huge difference. Most
writers set the stage with background information. Your letter
contains many instances where you erroneously attribute something to
Dr. Gilderbloom when, in context, it is not he who is doing the
“saying.” He is merely reporting what is.
Example: Your reference to information being reported under the
section “Conventional Economic Theory.” Hungerson statement: “Dr.
Gilderbloom says that 98% of all economists surveyed believe that
rent control reduces the quantity and quality of housing available.”
Actual quote: “Economists are well-known for their opposition to rent
control. A recent survey of economists, for example, found that 98%
agreed with the statement that ‘a ceiling on rents reduces the
quantity and quality of housing available.’”
Do you see the difference? A word of caution, Bob: Seemingly minor
word changes, like your substitution of “rent control” for “rent
ceiling,” can lead to major skewing of the intent and meaning of the
material. Try to avoid that in the future. Remember that Dr.
Gilderbloom is a consummate professional. He did not achieve his
nationally recognized status as an expert by skewing the data.
Helpful hint No. 4: When a writer prefaces a section of material
by blasting the sources and motives of those who have compiled the
data, use that prefaced material. It is essential to interpretation
of the information. Example: Dr. Gilderbloom’s introductory
statements, including: “ ... public policy is manufactured and
disseminated by organizations who have a major financial stake in a
particular outcome. Urban policy analysis ... is dominated by hack
researchers whose conclusions are determined by the client paying for
the study ... real estate-sponsored studies of urban housing policy
are often riddled with questionable methodologies, inaccurate data
analyses and conclusions that are based more on ideology than fact.
Some studies ... are shown to be patently fraudulent.
“The dominance of real estate-sponsored studies in the urban area
is shocking and demonstrates the role of ideas in determining public
policy outcomes. What is more surprising is how influential these
studies are in compelling the media, politicians, and even academics
to take positions on urban policy questions based on studies that are
biased and without merit.”
When you have become more proficient in interpreting information,
Bob, I will recommend material by other experts. Until then, keep
working on your objectivity.
ROBERTA GUTIERREZ
Glendale