In this episode Curt and Tyler Cowen discuss how tariffs reduce economic efficiency and shift burdens onto smaller nations like Canada, while also examining the impact of AI and changing institutional structures on academia. They argue for greater intellectual humility and stronger mentorship to build a more resilient academic environment.
- 00:00 - Tariffs and Trade Policies
- 01:21 - Economic Consequences of Tariffs
- 03:07 - Canada as a 51st State?
- 04:00 - Canada's Defense Spending Debate
- 05:41 - Positive Aspects of Hostility
- 06:35 - Transitioning to Theoretical Economics
- 08:07 - The Role of Tenure
- 11:43 - The Academy's Strengths
- 13:04 - Problems in Academia
- 14:08 - Understanding the Grant System
- 15:10 - The Need for Grants
- 16:33 - Is the Academic System Broken?
- 17:18 - Improving the Academic System
- 17:47 - The Role of AI in Academia
- 22:39 - Exploring Deep Research
- 29:32 - Writing as Thinking
- 31:53 - Truth in Worldviews
- 33:22 - Patchwork Theory of Reality
- 34:11 - Economics and Theories of Everything
- 35:07 - Disagreements Among Intelligent People
- 37:48 - The Concept of Metarationality
- 45:10 - Cultivating Metarationality
- 46:55 - Distinction Between Stamina and Grit
- 49:03 - Risk-Taking in Academia
- 51:28 - Interviewing Style
- 56:28 - The Value of Preparation
- 1:13:33 - Critiquing Nassim Taleb
- 1:18:23 - Public Debates vs. Private Discussions
- 1:20:46 - Focus on Money
- 1:22:45 - Healthy vs. Unhealthy Ambition
- 1:23:49 - Complexity in Theories of Everything
- 1:24:39 - The Importance of Mentoring
- 1:26:08 - Current Projects and Interests
- 1:31:15 - Advice for Students
- 1:32:39 - The Future of Networking
- 1:32:53 - Closing Thoughts and Reflections
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RESOURCES:
- Tyler’s website: https://tylercowen.com/
- Tyler’s blog: https://marginalrevolution.com/
- Tyler’s podcast: https://conversationswithtyler.com/
- Talent: How to Identify Energizers, Creatives, and Winners Around the World (book): https://www.amazon.com/Talent-Identify-Energizers-Creatives-Winners/dp/1250275814
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