In 'Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration', Bryan Caplan and Zach Weinersmith make a compelling case for open borders, suggesting that unrestricted immigration could eliminate absolute poverty worldwide and boost the global economy. The book addresses common criticisms of immigration and presents its arguments in a clear and engaging graphic format.
In 'Don't Be a Feminist: Essays on Genuine Justice', Bryan Caplan presents a critical view of feminism, defining it as the belief that society treats men more fairly than women. He argues that this perspective leads to unjust treatment of men and encourages self-pity among women. The book includes a letter to his daughter, urging her not to become a feminist, and discusses various social and economic issues related to gender equality.
In 'The Case Against Education,' Bryan Caplan argues that a significant portion of the benefits of education are not due to the acquisition of skills or knowledge, but rather to signalling preexisting abilities. He contends that this signalling effect is prevalent across all levels of education, from elementary school to graduate programs. Caplan supports his argument with extensive data, tables, and graphs, as well as personal anecdotes and observations. He also proposes alternative educational approaches, such as technical and vocational training, which he believes are more effective in improving worker productivity. The book is known for its provocative and well-argued critique of the current education system, suggesting reforms like reduced school time and relaxed child labor laws[1][3][4].
It was a fantastic pleasure to welcome Bryan Caplan back for a third time on the podcast! His most recent book is Don't Be a Feminist: Essays on Genuine Justice.
He explains why he thinks:
- Feminists are mostly wrong,
- We shouldn’t overtax our centi-billionaires,
- Decolonization should have emphasized human rights over democracy,
- Eastern Europe shows that we could accept millions of refugees.
Watch on YouTube. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any other podcast platform. Read the full transcript here.
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More really cool guests coming up; subscribe to find out about future episodes!
You may also enjoy my interviews with Tyler Cowen (about talent, collapse, & pessimism of sex), Charles Mann (about the Americas before Columbus & scientific wizardry), and Steve Hsu (about intelligence and embryo selection).
Timestamps
(00:12) - Don’t Be a Feminist
(16:53) - Western Feminism Ignores Infanticide
(19:59) - Why The Universe Hates Women
(32:02) - Women's Tears Have Too Much Power
(45:40) - Bryan Performs Standup Comedy!
(51:02) - Affirmative Action is Philanthropic Propaganda
(54:13) - Peer-effects as the Only Real Education
(58:24) - The Idiocy of Student Loan Forgiveness
(1:07:57) - Why Society is Becoming Mentally Ill
(1:10:50) - Open Borders & the Ultra-long Term
(1:14:37) - Why Cowen’s Talent Scouting Strategy is Ludicrous
(1:22:06) - Surprising Immigration Victories
(1:36:06) - The Most Successful Revolutions
(1:54:20) - Anarcho-Capitalism is the Ultimate Government
(1:55:40) - Billionaires Deserve their Wealth
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