text:  This is a striking difference from how central bankers used to communicate. Conte Brown says that historically, until about the 90s, they didn't say much about what they were doing, and that was on purpose. The saying went that central bankers should never explain, never defend. And that was not because they were so hoity-toity or above the fray, but because it was better for the economy if central bankers could preserve their freedom of movement to do whatever they felt was right in the moment.