This is not the economist you imagine.

Dr. Stuart Mills researches AI, behavioral economics, dark patterns, and the digital economy.

He questions what others accept.

He believes the pursuit of happiness might be headed in the wrong direction.

And he thinks we’re asking too little of technology—and too much of ourselves.

In this episode, Dr. Mills talks about:

• Why joy is a social experience, not a solo goal

• Why AI might be accelerating emptiness, not innovation

• How digital platforms are engineered to influence your mood

• Why uncertainty is part of being alive—and not a flaw to fix

• Why it’s still possible to be an idealist in a messy world

Not a self-help episode.

But maybe the kind of help you actually need.

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[00:00] Intro: The Adulting Paradox: Is It a Global Crisis?

[01:14] Meet Dr. Stuart Mills: Behavioral Economist & AI Researcher

[03:04] Why He Left Finance for Academia[06:25] Is Studying Abroad Still Worth It in a Tough Economy?

[09:01] What Sets Chinese Students Apart Internationally?

[12:15] China's Rise: Entering the "Long Chinese Century"?

[15:29] The 20s/30s Crisis: Why Are Young People Lost Today?

[19:26] Happiness Literature - What Actually Makes Us Happy?

[24:07] 6 Industries That Boom in Economic Downturns

[28:27] Magical Thinking & The Rise of Retail Investors

[30:30] Weak Signals That the Economy Is in Trouble

[33:28] What AI Is Really Doing (And Why It’s Not That Smart)

[37:13] The Hype vs. Reality of ChatGPT[41:30] Why We're Desperate to Believe in Revolutionary Tech

[43:47] What Truly Counts as Innovation?

[49:02] Want to Break Into AI? Here’s Where to Start

[51:57] Cross-Border E-commerce: Real Opportunity or Just Hype?

[57:14] Is China Becoming the Next Japan?

[1:03:32] One Principle for Surviving Economic Turbulence

[1:07:36] How to Build Your Economic Thinking (Without Textbooks)

[1:11:06] The Value of Conversations in Learning

[1:14:31] A Self-Destructive Sense of Fairness

[1:22:17] Do You Also Struggle With That Dark Corner in Your Mind?

[1:26:38] Has Dr.Stuart Mills Worry About Money?

[1:30:43] Final Reflections: Class, Money, and British History