[1rudeboy]

The whole "unexpected" thing is the result of journalists, in my opinion, but this author deals with it also:

In part, it is because few of the economists engaged in serious science spend any of their time connecting to the outer world . . . , leaving that to a group almost defined by its willingness to make exaggerated claims about economics and overrepresent its ability to determine clear answers.

[mad_as_he$$]

In general I think you are correct. However, several of the econs publish their predictions about where the economy is going and for the most part they are flat out wrong - especially the ones who work for the government or the Federal Reserve. Several of the big banks publish forecasts also and they are about 75% wrong.