Conversations with Tyler

Jennifer Burns on Milton Friedman and Ayn Rand

28 snips
Nov 15, 2023
Jennifer Burns, a Stanford history professor and author of biographies on Milton Friedman and Ayn Rand, dives deep into their legacies. She reflects on Friedman's complex evolution from academic to public intellectual, influenced by personal relationships, especially with his wife, Rose. The discussion also covers Ayn Rand's portrayal of women in fiction, her writing prowess, and the challenges faced by early female economists. Finally, Burns critiques the current state of intellectualism in American conservatism and the disparities between left and right in valuing fiction.
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ANECDOTE

Initial Focus on Friedman

  • Jennifer Burns initially focused on Milton Friedman's public persona.
  • She later became more interested in his economic theories and their development.
INSIGHT

Friedman's Early Work

  • Milton Friedman's early work in math and statistics helped shape the field of economics.
  • He later rejected this approach, finding it intellectually unsatisfying.
ANECDOTE

Friedman's Statistical Contributions

  • Friedman developed statistical techniques while working with large datasets during the Great Depression and World War II.
  • One such technique, the "super colossal test," aided the U.S. military in testing munitions.
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