Economist Paul Romer decries what he calls “mathiness,” the use of mathematics to persuade or mislead rather than to clarify, which is obstructing progress on how to account for the factors and inputs that can lead to economic growth at a time when the U.S. economy is struggling to find a firmer footing. He spoke to Real Time Economics about the rise of mathiness, its impact on the study of economics, and what it means for the people who rely on academics to help inform the policies that shape our lives.