Conversations with Tyler

John McWhorter, a prominent linguist, podcaster, and author, shares his insights on an array of fascinating topics. He argues for colloquial Indonesian as the ideal universal language and dives into the origins of Creole languages. The conversation touches on why Mandarin won't replace English as the global lingua franca, the historical influence of Vikings on modern English, and reflections on race in American musical works like Gershwin's 'Porgy and Bess.' McWhorter also discusses the decline of regional accents and the complexities of language learning.

Garett Jones, an economist at George Mason University and author of "10% Less Democracy," tackles provocative ideas about limiting democratic accountability. He argues against governance by bondholders and suggests reforms for more responsible democracy. The conversation spans the importance of econometric skills for risk-taking in policy-making, the evolution of collective intelligence, and even the underrated charm of French cuisine. He shares insights on the challenges facing the Mormon Church and how studying wine can surprisingly teach economic principles.

Tim Harford, a Financial Times columnist and popular economics author, shares his insights on the fascinating world of mistakes and storytelling. He discusses the role of popular economics in our polarized political climate and dives into the complexities of Brexit. Harford highlights the art of public speaking for both extroverts and introverts, the importance of engaging feedback, and the limits of fact-checking in today’s discourse. His anecdotes range from playing poker with Steve Levitt to reflections on the impact of social media on public dialogue.

Ezra Klein, Editor-at-large at Vox and author of "Why We're Polarized," dives into the complexities of America's growing political identity crisis. He explores how polarization now permeates various aspects of life, from sports fandom to faith communities. Klein discusses the implications of this trend and its efficiency in amplifying divisions. He shares personal reflections on fatherhood and its influence on his political views. The conversation also touches on the future of public broadcasting and the challenges faced by social media governance.

Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and a prominent investor at Greylock Partners, discusses how his love for tabletop games shapes his view of life as a heroic quest. He dives into key societal leverage points that can foster change and critiques the conventional Silicon Valley mindset. Hoffman also reflects on the philosophical influences in his work, particularly how Wittgenstein inspired LinkedIn's design. The nature of friendship, the evolution of talent certification, and innovative board game concepts are also explored in a lively exchange.

Slavoj Žižek, a Slovenian philosopher and cultural critic, discusses his enduring commitment to communism alongside Tyler. He provocatively labels *The Handmaid's Tale* as 'nostalgia for the present' and expresses admiration for Greta Thunberg. The conversation includes Marx's insights on commodification, concerns about ecology in contemporary communist regimes like China, and the unsettling dynamics of modern political discourse. Žižek challenges liberal optimism and reflects on the necessity of maintaining academia’s 'useless character' while advocating for pragmatic engagement with real-world issues.

Abhijit Banerjee, a Nobel laureate and MIT Professor, dives into the interplay of theory and practical economics, emphasizing that randomized trials are more than just data, but tests of theoretical hypotheses. He explores challenges like premature deindustrialization in emerging markets and shares insights on Kolkata's vibrant food scene, contrasting Indian and French sweets. The conversation also touches on Bengali intellectualism, the evolution of leftist thought, and the importance of enriching graduate economics training to connect theory with real-world applications.

In a year-end reflection, the hosts dive into their journey, recalling memorable guests and favorite food experiences. They share productivity tips and insights on how environments influence creativity. The discussion touches on the evolution of social media and blogging trends, while also challenging each other with a fun trivia game. They explore economic changes in China and the importance of observation during travel, all while considering how voice technology is shaping communication in today’s fast-paced world.

Esther Duflo, a Nobel Prize-winning economist and co-founder of J-PAL, shares her transformative journey from observing economic practices in the Soviet Union to advising governments on poverty reduction. She discusses how mentorship amplifies cash transfers, the dangers of fixating solely on growth rates, and the unique child-rearing practices in France. Duflo also reflects on geographic mobility decline in the U.S. and what rock climbing teaches about empirical economics, while intertwining her daily life experiences with music.

Daron Acemoglu, a renowned MIT economist and co-author of "The Narrow Corridor," delves into the crucial balance of power between state and society. He discusses how institutions shape nations' trajectories and the historical impacts of colonization on modern inequalities. Daron also examines the dynamics of democratization and how cultural legacies, like those from the Roman Empire, influence today's governance. He shares thoughts on Turkey's future, insights on women's rights in social hierarchies, and strategies to motivate graduate students.