EconTalk
Russ Roberts
EconTalk: Conversations for the Curious is an award-winning weekly podcast hosted by Russ Roberts of Shalem College in Jerusalem and Stanford's Hoover Institution. The eclectic guest list includes authors, doctors, psychologists, historians, philosophers, economists, and more. Learn how the health care system really works, the serenity that comes from humility, the challenge of interpreting data, how potato chips are made, what it's like to run an upscale Manhattan restaurant, what caused the 2008 financial crisis, the nature of consciousness, and more. EconTalk has been taking the Monday out of Mondays since 2006. All 900+ episodes are available in the archive. Go to EconTalk.org for transcripts, related resources, and comments.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 6, 2023 • 1h 2min
Omer Moav on the Emergence of the State
Omer Moav, an economist at the University of Warwick and Reichman University, challenges traditional views on how states emerged from agriculture. He argues that specific crops, particularly those with storability like grains, were pivotal in developing hierarchies and taxation. The discussion delves into the contrasts between root crops and cereals and their impact on societal structures. Moav also critiques the peer review process and highlights the complexities of economic growth, emphasizing that the nature of property rights shaped the effectiveness of governments.
33 snips
Feb 27, 2023 • 1h 14min
Paul Bloom on Psych, Psychology, and the Human Mind
Paul Bloom, a renowned psychologist and author, dives into the intriguing world of human consciousness and behavior. He examines the significant but often misunderstood insights psychology offers about intelligence and instincts. Bloom discusses the complexities of motivation and the dichotomy between instinctual and learned behavior. He reflects on the transformative power of long-term marriage and critiques the peer review system in academia. The conversation highlights the nuanced nature of fulfillment, emphasizing deeper meaning over fleeting happiness.
Feb 20, 2023 • 1h 29min
Marco Ramos on Misunderstanding Mental Illness
In this engaging discussion, Marco Ramos, a psychiatrist from Yale and historian of medicine, sheds light on the misconceptions surrounding mental illness. He reveals that despite extensive research, psychiatry still struggles to understand mental health issues fully. Ramos critiques the oversimplified reliance on medication, advocating for a blend of therapy and varied approaches. He also tackles the societal pressures exacerbating mental health crises and questions the commercialization of treatments, pushing for a compassionate reevaluation of mental health care.
19 snips
Feb 13, 2023 • 1h 7min
Adam Mastroianni on Peer Review and the Academic Kitchen
Adam Mastroianni, a postdoctoral research scholar at Columbia University and author of the Substack newsletter Experimental History, critiques the peer review process, declaring it a failed experiment. He discusses how major errors slip through while replicable papers often don’t get published. Mastroianni suggests that instead of fixing peer review, a complete rethinking is necessary. He emphasizes the importance of better incentives and advocates for a shift toward more impactful, accessible research that prioritizes quality over quantity.
49 snips
Feb 6, 2023 • 1h 51min
Sam Harris on Meditation, Mindfulness, and Morality
Sam Harris, a renowned neuroscientist and philosopher, delves into the intersection of meditation, morality, and rationality. He argues that dogmatic beliefs threaten our cherished values and emphasizes the transformative power of meditation in fostering empathy and self-awareness. Harris shares insights on the nuances of podcasting versus writing, critiques of modern dining cultures, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding honesty. He further explores how mindfulness challenges our perceptions of self and free will, advocating for a compassionate approach to human experiences.
12 snips
Jan 30, 2023 • 1h 9min
Vinay Prasad on Pharmaceuticals, the FDA, and the Death of Duty
Vinay Prasad, an oncologist and epidemiologist known for his critical take on pharmaceutical regulation, talks about the troubling approval of expensive drugs with minimal benefits. He dives into how profit motives skew oncology drug development and critiques the FDA's shift towards less public health protection. Prasad highlights the ethical dilemmas in healthcare, particularly regarding elderly care, and laments the decline of personal duty in society. His insights urge a reevaluation of what truly matters in healthcare and patient outcomes.
4 snips
Jan 23, 2023 • 1h 23min
Dwayne Betts on Beauty, Prison, and Redaction
Dwayne Betts, an award-winning poet, lawyer, and prison reform advocate, shares his inspiring journey from solitary confinement to literary empowerment. He reveals how a book of poetry sparked his transformation and illustrates the profound impact of literature on inmates' lives. Betts discusses his Freedom Reads Project, aimed at creating libraries in prisons, and the collaborative art of his latest work, Redaction. His insights challenge stereotypes surrounding incarceration and highlight the beauty of resilience through storytelling.
Jan 16, 2023 • 1h 13min
Tiffany Jenkins on Plunder, Museums, and Marbles
Tiffany Jenkins, author of "Keeping Their Marbles", dives into the contentious repatriation debate of the Elgin Marbles, exploring their historical significance and the implications of British colonialism. She delves into the art of looting during Napoleonic conquests, discussing how military victories influenced cultural artifacts. Jenkins also critiques the evolving role of museums, questioning their purpose between education and social justice, while emphasizing the complex narratives surrounding ownership and cultural restitution.
38 snips
Jan 9, 2023 • 57min
Ian Leslie on Being Human in the Age of AI
Ian Leslie, an author known for his insightful exploration of curiosity and the human condition, discusses the paradox of human creativity in the age of AI. He argues that as we become more predictable, AI sounds increasingly human. The conversation critiques modern education for stifling individuality, examines the formulaic nature of contemporary pop music and film, and emphasizes the need for authentic human connections amidst a digital landscape. Leslie passionately advocates for embracing our unique perspectives to counteract the robotic tendencies of society.
15 snips
Jan 2, 2023 • 1h 1min
Hannah Ritchie on Eating Local
Hannah Ritchie, head of research at Our World in Data and a senior researcher at the Oxford Martin Program, shares her insights on climate change and sustainable eating. She challenges the myth that local food is always better for the environment, discussing the complexities of food’s carbon footprint. Ritchie emphasizes the importance of data in debunking misconceptions about emissions from food production and advocates for positive climate messaging. She also explores the psychological barriers to adopting meat alternatives and the potential of renewable energy.
