The Curious Task

Alex speaks with Nimish Adhia about the practice of tipping, exploring its cultural and economic implications, as well as its persistence despite widespread criticism from various stakeholders. Adhia discusses the historical origins of tipping, its impact on workers and customers, and coordination problems that prevent its abolition, referencing his own case study on the topic.

"The Rise and Decline of Nations" by Mancur Olson

Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.

Alex speaks with Erwin Dekker about the economics and public policy perspectives on art, examining various theories on how art derives its value in communities. Dekker explores the idea of the separation between art and state, discusses cultural significance and individual perception in determining the worth of art, and how art's intangible qualities challenge traditional economic valuation.

References

"Realizing the Values of Art: Making Space for Cultural Civil Society" by Erwin Dekker and Valeria Morea

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Realizing-Values-Art-Cultural-Society/dp/3031245970 

Erwin Dekker's Website

“Two approaches to study the value of art and culture, and the emergence of a third” by Erwin Dekker

Link: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10824-014-9237-y 

"The Value of Culture: On the Relationship between Economics and Arts" by Arjo Klamer

"Arts and Economics: Analysis and Cultural Policy" by Bruno S. Frey

"Art and the Market: Roger Fry on Commerce in Art" by Crauford D. Goodwin

"Creative Destruction: How Globalization is Changing the World’s Cultures" by Tyler Cowen

"What Price Fame?" by Tyler Cowen

Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.

Matt speaks with Lauren Hall about "radical moderation," a framework that encourages moving beyond binary thinking in social and political issues. Hall explains her framework, which helps individuals navigate complex situations by fostering curiosity, empathy, and creative thinking. They also discuss the roles of community, parenting, and social psychology in moderating polarized views.

Episode Notes: 

Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.

Alex speaks with Elias Khalil about the influential ideas of Ibn Khaldun, delving into Khaldun's theories on the rise and fall of civilizations, the nature of political communities, and the importance of solidarity (Asabiyya). Khalil connects these insights to classical liberal thought and the works of Adam Smith, emphasizing Khaldun’s impact on understanding political order as a product of social dynamics rather than divine intervention.

1. "The Muqaddimah: An Introduction to History" by Ibn Khaldun, translated by Franz Rosenthal

2. “Ibn Khaldoun and Adam Smith—Two Heroes of the Modern Age.”

3. “Ibn Khaldûn on Property Rights, The Muqaddimah: An Introduction to History.”

4. "The Theory of Moral Sentiments" by Adam Smith

5. "The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith

Matt speaks with Larry White about the principles of free banking, focusing on how competitive banking systems can operate without centralized control. Larry highlights historical examples and the theoretical frameworks supporting free banking, emphasizing the benefits of decentralized monetary systems.

"The Theory of Free Banking: Money Supply under Competitive Note Issue" by George A. Selgin, Foreward by Larry White

"Free Banking in Britain: Theory, Experience, and Debate, 1800-1845" by Larry White

"Competition and Currency: Essays on Free Banking and Money" by Lawrence H. White

"Money, Bank Credit, and Economic Cycles" by Jesús Huerta de Soto

"The Denationalisation of Money" by Friedrich Hayek

"The Experience of Free Banking" by Kevin Dowd

"Money and the Market: Essays on Free Banking" by Kevin Dowd

Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.

Alex speaks with Alex Edmans about his book May Contain Lies, examining the widespread issue of misinformation and exploring how factors like confirmation bias, cognitive shortcuts, and misleading statistics can shape public opinion. They discuss practical strategies for identifying and avoiding misinformation, along with the broader societal impact of misinterpreted data.

"May Contain Lies" by Alex Edmans

"Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman

"Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction" by Philip E. Tetlock

"Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think" by Hans Rosling

"The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail – but Some Don't" by Nate Silver

"How to Lie with Statistics" by Darrell Huff

"Start With Why" by Simon Sinek

Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.

In 2020, Alex spoke with Mike Munger about the sustainability of capitalism. We're republishing that very important conversation today.

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Alex Aragona talks with Mike Munger as he explores his views on the sustainability of capitalism and the factors that contribute to it.

References from Episode 23 with Michael Munger

• You can order Michael Munger’s book Is Capitalism Sustainable on Amazon Canada here

Matt speaks with Jeffrey Miron about the justice and effectiveness of "sin taxes," evaluating whether taxes on goods like alcohol, tobacco, and sugary drinks achieve their intended public health goals or whether they unfairly restrict individual choice. The conversation explores the ethical implications of using taxation as a tool for social engineering and questions the actual impact these policies have on behavior.

"Should Governments Try to Reduce Sin?" by Jeffrey Miron

"The Time Travelling Dietitian" (YouTube Video)

"Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness" by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein

"The Theory of Moral Sentiments" by Adam Smith

"For Your Own Good: The Anti-Smoking Crusade and the Tyranny of Public Health" by Jacob Sullum

"The Constitution of Liberty" by Friedrich Hayek

Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.

Alex speaks with Ádám Lovász about the concept of spontaneous order, examining its philosophical roots in thinkers like Hayek and exploring its applications beyond human societies, including ecosystems and insect colonies, as well as its implications for understanding the limitations of technocratic control in both markets and ecological systems.

Adam's Author Page on Amazon

"The Constitution of Liberty" by Friedrich Hayek

"The Sensory Order: An Inquiry into the Foundations of Theoretical Psychology" by Friedrich Hayek

"The Wealth of Nations" by Adam Smith

"Anarchy, State, and Utopia" by Robert Nozick

"Stigmergic Epistemology, Stigmergic Cognition

"The Road to Serfdom: Texts and Documents -- The Definitive Edition" by Friedrich Hayek

Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.

Matt speaks with Colin Craig about the Canadian healthcare system, discussing its inefficiencies, long wait times, and potential reforms, while comparing it to healthcare models in other countries and offering practical suggestions for improvement.

"Universal Health Care: What the United States Can Learn from the Experience of Other Developed Nations" Panel featuring Karen Davis

"The Healthcare Fix: Universal Insurance for All Americans" by Laurence J. Kotlikoff

"Cross-Border Healthcare"

"Analytical methods to assess the impacts of activity-based funding (ABF): a scoping review"

"Waiting Your Turn: Wait Times for Health Care in Canada, 2022 Report" by Bacchus Barua and Mackenzie Moyer

"The Overton Window"

Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.