Science fiction and the death of economics

Or the death of the economy, at least.

Paul Krugman says Ben Bernanke has been assimilated by the Borg: "he’s become more concerned, probably unconsciously, with defending the Fed’s institutional safety, because it’s the apostle of price stability, than with doing whatever he can to get this economy moving." Here's the more detailed accusation.

But others, like economics reporter Robert Samuelson, choose Team Bernanke in the "battle of the beards". (Sorry for the mixed metaphors.)

I lean towards Krugman, but it's a tough call. The Borg are hard to resist.