#3994

Mentioned in 7 episodes

I, Pencil

My Family Tree as Told to Leonard E. Read

Book • 1958

Leonard E. Read

In 'I, Pencil,' Leonard Read uses the humble pencil as a metaphor to explain the intricate web of global cooperation and specialization that underlies modern production.

The essay emphasizes the concept of the 'invisible hand,' demonstrating how millions of people contribute to the creation of a simple pencil without a central authority directing them.

This work serves as a powerful introduction to the principles of free market economics and the interconnectedness of human endeavors.

Mentioned by

Auron Macintyre

Alexander Schatten

Michael Goldstein

Mentioned in 7 episodes

Mentioned by

Matt Ridley

to illustrate the collaborative nature of invention.

Matt Ridley: How Innovation Works, Part 2

Mentioned by

Michael Goldstein

when discussing the importance of understanding markets.

THE BITCOIN REVOLUTION w/ Pierre Rochard & Michael Goldstein

Mentioned by

Auron Macintyre

to illustrate the idea that no single person or country could manufacture a pencil alone.

‘I, Pencil’ Defined Free Trade — Trump’s Tariffs Are Writing the Sequel | 4/10/25

Von

Alexander Schatten

erwähnt als ein klassischer Artikel der ökonomischen Literatur, der die Komplexität der Herstellung eines Bleistifts beschreibt.

099 — Entkopplung, Kopplung, Rückkopplung

Mentioned by

Codie Sanchez

when discussing the interconnectedness of humanity and the effort involved in creating a simple pencil.

#22 Joshua Weissman: Monetizing Your Passion and Building an Online Empire

Mentioned by

Bob Murphy

to express that he did not like Elon Musk tweeting about it.

Ep. 398 How Should Libertarians Debate Trump’s Tariffs?

Mentioned by

Guy Swann

to illustrate the vast and interconnected nature of the economic system.

Read_877 - Once in a Species

Mentioned by

Justin Andrews

when discussing the importance of free markets and the complexity of seemingly simple products.

1148: The Muscle & Strength Benefits of the Pump, Grass Fed Beef vs. Wild Game Meat, the Effect of Resistance Training on Type 1 Diabetics & MORE

Mentioned by

Justin Andrews

while discussing the importance of free markets and cooperation.

1148: The Muscle & Strength Benefits of the Pump, Grass Fed Beef vs. Wild Game Meat, the Effect of Resistance Training on Type 1 Diabetics & MORE

Mentioned by

George Will

as the author of a famous essay on the complexity of manufacturing a pencil.

George Will on the Conservative Sensibility

Mentioned by

Dave Smith

in relation to Milton Friedman's pencil example.

Trump's Tariffs

Mentioned by

Robert Zubrin

in relation to the "I, Pencil" essay, highlighting the complexity of modern manufacturing.

🚀 Mars or bust! My chat (+transcript) with aerospace engineer Robert Zubrin

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