ReThinking Esther Duflo wants you to think like a plumber
Nov 9, 2021
Esther Duflo, a Nobel laureate and MIT economist renowned for her work on poverty alleviation, shares her fascinating journey from disliking economics to revolutionizing its approach. She debunks myths linking poverty to laziness, revealing how support systems like cash transfers can encourage work. Duflo emphasizes the importance of behavioral changes over mere attitude shifts and likens economists to plumbers, highlighting the practical problem-solving needed to tackle global challenges. Insightful and engaging, her perspective reshapes our understanding of economic issues.
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Early Influence
- Esther Duflo's mother, a doctor, showed her slideshows of children affected by war.
- This sparked an early desire in Duflo to make a difference in the world.
Disenchantment with Economics
- Adam Grant initially studied economics but found the oversimplified equation of quality of life disheartening.
- He questioned the field's understanding of human motivation.
Rethinking Economics Education
- Duflo believes that economics is taught poorly, focusing on abstract equations instead of real-world applications.
- She advocates for teaching practical economics early on, showcasing its potential to address real-world issues.