Words & Numbers cover image

Words & Numbers

Episode 341: Strangers With Candy

Aug 23, 2023
Economist Art Carden discusses his popular book, Strangers With Candy. They explore Chinese student migration, China's economy, reducing interest rates to 3%, blaming banks, engaging with the public, and waging wars on abstract nouns.
33:59

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Wealthy Chinese citizens are leaving the country, with increased demand for international education and emigration, despite not prioritizing economic freedom in their chosen destinations.
  • The concept of reservation wage highlights the disparity between what people say they are willing to accept as a wage and the reality, emphasizing the importance of observing behavior to understand economic decision-making.

Deep dives

Growing Numbers of Wealthy Chinese Leaving China

A significant trend is emerging in China, with growing numbers of wealthy Chinese leaving the country. Chinese students are showing a higher demand for attending international schools abroad, and thousands of Chinese millionaires are emigrating to other countries each year. Surprisingly, wealthy Chinese students are not seeking out countries with more economic freedom, as evidenced by reduced numbers of Chinese students attending American colleges and universities. Additionally, China's centrally planned economy appears to be stalling, leading to the cessation of unemployment statistic publication for young workers. Although it may seem like a story of Chinese citizens leaving an oppressive country for a more free one, the data and trends suggest a more complex picture.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode