> "Is capitalism the engine of destruction or the engine of prosperity? On this podcast we talk about the ways capitalism is—or more often isn’t—working in our world today. Hosted by Vanity Fair contributing editor, Bethany McLean and world renowned economics professor Luigi Zingales, we explain how capitalism can go wrong, and what we can do to fix it."
EconTalk [1]
> "Econlib carries the podcast, EconTalk, hosted by Russ Roberts. The weekly talk show features one-on-one discussions with an eclectic mix of authors, professors, Nobel Laureates, entrepreneurs, leaders of charities and businesses, and people on the street. The emphases are on using topical books and the news to illustrate economic principles. Exploring how economics emerges in practice is a primary theme."
I've been listening to EconTalk since 2007. It's one of the only podcasts that I never skip an episode, even if the topic or author doesn't initially seem too interesting.
Great to hear you are a fan. A long time one albeit. Its been interesting seeing Russ Roberts evolve over the years. His interests have moved from quantitative to qualitative questions. What makes for a good life? What makes us happy? What gives us meaning? How should one conduct themselves? The harder questions in life. Questions that are difficult to articulate. Difficult to measure. But are vital to identify, because the economic policies we pursue mold our world which can either facilitate or hinder these interests.
Bethany McLean is terrific. The guests are terrific.
Luigi... Not so much. Regurgitates Chicago School phrases, context independent, like magnet poetry for neoliberals.
Luigi's response to Cory Doctorow and Chokepoint Capitalism was lacking. Expects Cory to have a fix for regulatory capture, a problem which has confounded economists for generations. Then is unsatisfied with Cory's prescribed remedies, which adroitly side steps the damage. ("I don't want to wait generations for creatives to get paid for their work." Preach, brother.) Then, predictably, Luigi doesn't think creatives are entitled to any of the wealth generated by their cultural output, while parasitic corporate gatekeepers rake in billions from those same efforts. By mere virtue of being the rent seekers. (Ignoring one of conservative economics' central criticisms of capitalism.) Unironically, obliviously proving Doctorow's whole thesis.
Luigi is just so maddeningly, depressingly, typical.
So I just fast forward thru Luigi's blather.
I wonder why McLean suffers Luigi. Maybe her cunning plan is to let the vacuousness of Chicagoian School self-invalidate and she trusts her listenership to see thru the Great Oz's charade.
> "Is capitalism the engine of destruction or the engine of prosperity? On this podcast we talk about the ways capitalism is—or more often isn’t—working in our world today. Hosted by Vanity Fair contributing editor, Bethany McLean and world renowned economics professor Luigi Zingales, we explain how capitalism can go wrong, and what we can do to fix it."
EconTalk [1]
> "Econlib carries the podcast, EconTalk, hosted by Russ Roberts. The weekly talk show features one-on-one discussions with an eclectic mix of authors, professors, Nobel Laureates, entrepreneurs, leaders of charities and businesses, and people on the street. The emphases are on using topical books and the news to illustrate economic principles. Exploring how economics emerges in practice is a primary theme."
[0] https://www.capitalisnt.com/
[1] https://www.econtalk.org/