Worklife with Adam Grant Esther Duflo wants you to think like a plumber
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Nov 9, 2021 Esther Duflo, a Nobel laureate and MIT economist, transforms how we think about poverty and economics. She shares her early dislike for economics and how personal experiences fueled her passion. The conversation explores the importance of human motivation beyond just financial incentives, highlighting dignity and purpose. Duflo emphasizes economists as practical problem-solvers akin to plumbers, advocating for real-world applications of economic theories. With insights on social norms and behavior change, she inspires listeners to rethink solutions for complex global 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 sense of responsibility to make a difference in the world.
Discovering Economics' Power
- Duflo initially hated economics, finding it irrelevant and abstract.
- Witnessing economists' influence in Russia, she realized its potential for positive change.
Economics Education
- Many students find introductory economics irrelevant and give up on the field.
- Duflo believes this is due to poor teaching methods that obscure economics' practical applications.