

#3777
Mentioned in 7 episodes
I, Pencil
My Family Tree as Told to Leonard E. Read
Book • 1958
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.
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


















Mentioned in 7 episodes
Mentioned by 

to illustrate the collaborative nature of invention.


Matt Ridley

51 snips
Matt Ridley: How Innovation Works, Part 2
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when discussing the importance of understanding markets.

Michael Goldstein

39 snips
THE BITCOIN REVOLUTION w/ Pierre Rochard & Michael Goldstein
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to illustrate the idea that no single person or country could manufacture a pencil alone.


Auron Macintyre

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

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


Alexander Schatten

099 — Entkopplung, Kopplung, Rückkopplung
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when discussing the interconnectedness of humanity and the effort involved in creating a simple pencil.


Codie Sanchez

#19 Joshua Weissman: Monetizing Your Passion and Building an Online Empire
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to express that he did not like Elon Musk tweeting about it.

Bob Murphy

Ep. 398 How Should Libertarians Debate Trump’s Tariffs?
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to illustrate the vast and interconnected nature of the economic system.

Guy Swann

Read_877 - Once in a Species
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when discussing the importance of free markets and the complexity of seemingly simple products.


Justin Andrews

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
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while discussing the importance of free markets and cooperation.


Justin Andrews

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

George Will

George Will on the Conservative Sensibility
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in relation to Milton Friedman's pencil example.


Dave Smith

Trump's Tariffs
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in relation to the "I, Pencil" essay, highlighting the complexity of modern manufacturing.


Robert Zubrin

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