Exploring the concepts of randomness, chance, chaos, and contingency in shaping our lives and societies, author Brian Claus discusses his latest book and shares an example of how a couple's vacation choice in 1926 ultimately impacted the targeting of the atomic bomb in World War II, highlighting the significance of small decisions and events.
How did a husband-and-wife vacation end up saving a city from the atomic bomb while destroying another? And how did a century-old murder of one family bring another into existence? Easily, explains political scientist Brian Klaas of University College London, who points out that history is replete with chance events that profoundly shaped both society and individual lives. Listen as Klaas discusses his book Fluke with EconTalk's Russ Roberts. Klaas argues that recognizing the randomness of everyday life and history can lead to a newfound appreciation for the meaning of every decision, and to a focus on joyful experimentation instead of relentless optimization.