Bob Murphy Show

Bob explains his epiphany to resolve what Darrow had in mind during his famous cross-examination of William Jennings Bryan in the famous Scopes Trial. Note this is a follow-up to his prior episode on the trial.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• BMS ep 355, the analysis of the Scopes Monkey Trial.
• The complete transcript of the 1925 Scopes trial.
• The History Channel short on the trial.
• Excerpt from the Civic Biology textbook that Scopes used.
• Bryan’s final statement (that he didn’t get to deliver to the court).
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns to ask Bob introductory but also deep questions about tariffs. What about national defense? What if they replace the income tax? You name it, they discuss it.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of this episode.
• Bob's article on Vivek's defense of tariffs, and another article explaining comparative advantage.
• The Haman Nature page.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns to complain about the Drake Equation as well as Nick Bostrom's argument that we are almost certainly living in a simulation. Bob provides amplification and devil's advocate feedback.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of this episode.
• The Haman Nature page.
• Bob's July 2008 smarta$$ answer to Brad Sherman's question about oil prices. (Start video at 4:12 mark.)
• The BMS episode featuring his "red dot on the movie screen" argument.
• A recent InFi episode making the case against self-aware computers.
• A quick explainer on the Boltzmann Brain argument.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Keith, a fellow Hillsdale grad, joins Bob to discuss his new book, which is technically historical fiction but uses the New Testament accounts to construct Paul's journal.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of this interview.
• The website for Paul's Journal.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam Haman returns for another crossover, this time discussing Bob's decision to write in "Jesus of Nazareth" for the presidential election.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of this episode.
• Bob's 2016 talk making the case against voting "strategically but immorally."
• Adam Haman substack and podcast.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

The 1925 Scopes Trial ostensibly featured the triumph of science over fundamentalist religion. Bob gives some surprising facts that may change your assessment, including long excerpts from Clarence Darrow's famous cross-examination of William Jennings Bryan.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The complete transcript of the 1925 Scopes trial.
• The History Channel short on the trial.
• Excerpt from the Civic Biology textbook that Scopes used.
• Was Jonah swallowed by a fish or a whale?
• Bryan's final statement (that he didn't get to deliver to the court).
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Keith Knight of the Libertarian Institute gives the uncomfortable facts about the US entry into World War 2.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of this interview.
• Keith Knight's article on atomic bombs and Pearl Harbor.
• Keith's archive at the Libertarian Institute.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Adam rejoins Bob to discuss SpaceX's recent accomplishment, and how libertarians should assess Elon Musk.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of this interview.
• Video on economic viability of Martian colony. Bill Burr on Buzz Aldrin. The movie Capricorn One.
• BMS episode with Owen Benjamin (questioning the moon landing).
• Adam Haman substack and podcast.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Bob goes solo to explain Adam Smith's absolute advantage versus David Ricardo's comparative advantage. This important concept underpins civilization itself.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The infineo post on this numerical example.
• Bob’s book Lessons for the Young Economist has a discussion of comparative advantage (see chapters 8 and 19).
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.

Haman returns, this time to discuss a recent controversy over the libertarian case for drug legalization.

Mentioned in the Episode and Other Links of Interest:

• The YouTube version of this interview.
• Haman's episode on Portland.
• Thornton on Prohibition, an NBER journal article, and Bob's book Lessons for the Young Economist.
• Help support the Bob Murphy Show.