

#842
Mentioned in 25 episodes
Wild Problems
A Guide to the Decisions That Define Us
Book • 2022
In 'Wild Problems,' Russ Roberts addresses the big, uncertain decisions in life—such as who to marry, whether to have children, where to move, and how to forge a life well-lived—that cannot be solved using data, science, or traditional rational approaches.
He suggests focusing less on the path that promises the most happiness and more on figuring out who you actually want to be.
Roberts draws on the experiences of great artists, writers, and scientists to lay out strategies for reducing fear and the loss of control when facing these 'wild problems.
' He argues that life should be experienced as a mystery rather than a problem to be solved, and he critiques the idea of relying solely on cost-benefit analysis and utilitarianism for making life's major decisions.
He suggests focusing less on the path that promises the most happiness and more on figuring out who you actually want to be.
Roberts draws on the experiences of great artists, writers, and scientists to lay out strategies for reducing fear and the loss of control when facing these 'wild problems.
' He argues that life should be experienced as a mystery rather than a problem to be solved, and he critiques the idea of relying solely on cost-benefit analysis and utilitarianism for making life's major decisions.
Mentioned by

















Mentioned in 25 episodes
Mentioned by 

as Russ Robert's latest book, exploring challenges of using rationality when facing big life decisions.


Tim Ferriss

288 snips
#613: Russ Roberts on Lessons from F.A. Hayek and Nassim Taleb, Decision-Making Insights from Charles Darwin, The Dangers of Scientism, Wild Problems in Life and the Decisions That Define Us, Learnings from the Talmud, The Role of Prayer, and The Journey to Transcendence
Mentioned by 

as the author of a book about the limits of economic theory.


Chris Williamson

80 snips
#548 - Tim Harford - Why Is Thinking Clearly So Difficult?
Mentioned by 

as a book he was diving into recently and had 

on the show previously to discuss.


Jonah Goldberg


Russ Roberts

73 snips
A Return to Econ 101 | Interview: Russ Roberts
Mentioned by 

in relation to his book on the human experience.


Russ Roberts

70 snips
A User's Guide to Our Emotional Thermostat (with Adam Mastroianni)
Mentioned by 

as a book he wrote, aiming to help people make better decisions.


Russ Roberts

66 snips
Adam Mastroianni on the Brain, the Ears, and How We Learn
Mentioned by 

as the basis for this podcast episode.


Chris Williamson

61 snips
#531 - Russ Roberts - An Economist’s Guide To Life’s Big Decisions
Mentioned by 

as his book discussing his decision to move to Israel.


Russ Roberts

47 snips
Terrorism, Israel, and Dreams of Peace (with Haviv Rettig Gur)
Mentioned by 

when discussing his own book.


Russ Roberts

47 snips
Johnathan Bi on Mimesis and René Girard
Mentioned by 

as a new book discussing decision-making.


Sam Harris

39 snips
#299 — Steps in the Right Direction
Mentioned by 

as the author of "Wild Problems."


Peter Boettke

31 snips
Who Won the Socialist Calculation Debate (with Peter Boettke)
Mentioned by 

as the author of "Wild Problems", a book about life-changing decisions.


Ryan Holiday

29 snips
Russ Roberts on Making Better Decisions
Mentioned by 

as Russ Robert's new book.


Tim Ferriss

28 snips
#623: In Case You Missed It: August 2022 Recap of "The Tim Ferriss Show"
Mentioned by 

as a book he enjoys having in his library.


Russ Roberts

28 snips
Minimalists and Hoarders (with Michael Easter)
Mentioned by 

as his own book, discussing the concept of optimizing and its drawbacks.


Russ Roberts

25 snips
Kieran Setiya on Midlife
Mentioned by 

as a guide to making life's biggest decisions.


Brett McKay

23 snips
Grappling With Life's "Wild Problems"
Mentioned by 

when discussing advice on conversations.


Russ Roberts

23 snips
Monica Guzman on Curiosity and Conversation in Contentious Times
Mentioned by 

as a source of insight on desires and self-understanding.


Russ Roberts

23 snips
Angela Duckworth on Character
The main subject of the episode, it discusses how to approach life's important decisions.

17 snips
Episode 300: Wild Problems
Mentioned by 

as a book he wrote, referencing ![undefined]()

's quote.


Russ Roberts

Jessica Todd Harper

14 snips
Jessica Todd Harper on Beauty, Family, and Photography
Mentioned by 

in relation to decision-making in life.


Russ Roberts

12 snips
Luca Dellanna on Compulsion, Self-deception, and the Brain