Matthew Jackson

If you're a child born into a poor family in the United States, what are the most important factors in your life that will influence whether or not you're able to rise out of poverty?  To answer that question, we're joined again by Matthew Jackson, William D. Eberle Professor of Economics at Stanford University, and External Faculty at the Santa Fe Institute.  This is part one of a two-part series, and in this episode, Matthew is going to introduce us to a study he was involved in that looked at the data of 21 billion friendships in the US that asked the question: what is it really that allows a child to get ahead?    Connect: Simplifying Complexity on Twitter Sean Brady on Twitter Sean Brady on LinkedIn Brady Heywood website This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

In our last episode, you heard all about economic mobility. In this episode (which is part 2 of our conversation), you're going to hear again from Matthew Jackson, William D. Eberle Professor of Economics at Stanford University, and External Faculty at the Santa Fe Institute. We finished the last episode by saying that if you want to increase a child's economic mobility, the factor that has the greatest impact is economic connectedness. In this episode, Matthew is going to talk about economic connectedness in our workplaces, our religious gatherings, and our schools.   Resources and links: Social capital I: measurement and associations with economic mobility | Nature Social capital II: determinants of economic connectedness | Nature Vast New Study Shows a Key to Reducing Poverty: More Friendships Between Rich and Poor - The New York Times (nytimes.com)   Connect: Simplifying Complexity on Twitter Sean Brady on Twitter Sean Brady on LinkedIn Brady Heywood website This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

Matthew Jackson from Stanford University discusses the importance of networks in human existence, linking it to resource allocation in economics. The podcast explores his journey from gymnastics to economics, the evolution of network theory, and the intersection of AI and game theory in understanding decision-making processes.

Matthew Jackson, the William D. Eberle Professor of Economics at Stanford, dives into the fascinating realm of networks and game theory. He discusses how personal connections influence job opportunities and market dynamics. The power of networks is explored through intriguing examples like the Medici family's rise in Florence and how tariffs can increase geopolitical risks by disrupting trade. He highlights that weak ties often play a crucial role in job searches, revealing the complexity of trust and cooperation in economic systems.

If you think about the people in your life, it's likely that they share a lot in common with you. Maybe they like the same kinds of food, or enjoy the same hobbies. But, if you dig a little deeper, you may find that they share much more: they might make the same amount of money as you, or share the same race. This week, we talk with economists Luigi Pistaferri and Matthew Jackson about why we often surround ourselves with people who are just like us — and how we can transform our lives by pushing back against this phenomenon.  Did you catch last week's episode on the science of figuring out what you want? You can find it  here. And if you'd like to make a financial contribution to support our work, you can do so here. Thanks! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.