

Conversations with Tyler
Mercatus Center at George Mason University
Tyler Cowen engages today’s deepest thinkers in wide-ranging explorations of their work, the world, and everything in between. New conversations every other Wednesday. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 7, 2017 • 24min
Tyler Cowen and Steve Davies talk Theresa May, Brexit, and Europe (Live)
The UK is holding a big election on June 8, so today we’re bringing you some bonus audio on that topic featuring Tyler and Steve Davies of the London-based Institute of Economic Affairs. They talk about how the general election could shape the terms of Brexit, how much further the EU and even the UK will splinter, the prospects for the European left-wing, and the populism underneath it all. Note: this was recorded at event in late April shortly after May called for the snap election in June. Got it? Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links. Recorded April 22nd, 2017 Other ways to connect Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Follow Tyler on Twitter Follow Steve on Twitter Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Subscribe at our newsletter page to have the latest Conversations with Tyler news sent straight to your inbox.

May 24, 2017 • 1h 3min
Raj Chetty on Teachers, Social Mobility, and How to Find Answers to Big Questions
Economics professor Raj Chetty discusses social mobility, value of kindergarten teachers, why corporations pay dividends, and his love for Piano Guys. He reflects on his personal journey, upbringing in India, and innovative research approach. The conversation also touches on underrated US state, okra's role in success, and factors affecting social mobility in the US.

May 10, 2017 • 1h 8min
Garry Kasparov on AI, Chess, and the Future of Creativity
Garry Kasparov discusses AI, Russia, education, and more. He explores the limitations of human intelligence in chess, the legal implications of algorithms, the roots of tyranny in Russia. They also debate the novel Master and Margarita, discuss favorite cities to play chess, and evaluate potential challengers to Magnus Carlsen.

5 snips
Apr 12, 2017 • 1h 34min
Patrick Collison has a Few Questions for Tyler (Live at Stripe)
A few months ago, Tyler asked Patrick Collison, CEO of Stripe, to be on the show. Patrick agreed, but only under the condition that the be the one to do the interviewing. Thus, what follows is the conversation Patrick wanted to have with Tyler, not the one you wanted to have. Happily Patrick stayed true to the spirit of Conversations with Tyler, and their dialogue covers a wide range of topics including the the benefits of diverse monocultures, the state of macroeconomics, Donald Trump, the amazing economics faculty at GMU, Peter Thiel, Brian Eno, Thomas Schelling, why Twitter is underrated, and — most pressing of all — why Marginal Revolution is so strange looking. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links. Recorded January 25th, 2017 Other ways to connect Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Follow Tyler on Twitter Follow Patrick on Twitter Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Subscribe at our newsletter page to have the latest Conversations with Tyler news sent straight to your inbox. Photo credit: JD Lasica

6 snips
Mar 15, 2017 • 1h 32min
Malcolm Gladwell Wants to Make the World Safe for Mediocrity (Live at Mason)
Journalist, author, and podcaster Malcolm Gladwell joins Tyler for a conversation on Joyce Gladwell, Caribbean identity, satire as a weapon, Daniel Ellsberg and Edward Snowden, Harvard’s under-theorized endowment, why early childhood intervention is overrated, long-distance running, and Malcolm’s happy risk-averse career going from one “fur-lined rat hole to the next.” Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video. Recorded February 27th, 2017 Other ways to connect Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Follow Tyler on Twitter Follow Malcolm on Twitter Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Subscribe at our newsletter page to have the latest Conversations with Tyler news sent straight to your inbox.

Mar 13, 2017 • 56min
*The Complacent Class* with Katherine Mangu-Ward (Live at Mason)
In this bonus episode, Editor-in-chief of Reason Katherine Mangu-Ward interviews Tyler about *The Complacent Class.* Make sure to listen all the way to the end for an answer Katherine describes as #PeakTyler. Follow Katherine on Twitter Follow Tyler on Twitter More CWT goodness: Facebook Twitter Instagram Email

Feb 15, 2017 • 1h 20min
Rabbi David Wolpe on Leadership, Religion, and Identity (Live at Sixth & I)
Named one of the most influential Jewish thinkers of our time, Rabbi David Wolpe joins Tyler in a conversation on flawed leaders, Jewish identity in the modern world, the many portrayals of David, what’s missing in rabbinical training, playing chess on the Sabbath, Srugim, Hasidic philosophy, living in Israel and of course, the durability of creation. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links. Other ways to connect Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Follow Tyler on Twitter Follow David on Twitter Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Subscribe at our newsletter page to have the latest Conversations with Tyler news sent straight to your inbox.

Jan 25, 2017 • 1h 16min
Chef Mark Miller on Food as the Ultimate Intellectual Exploration
Mark Miller, founder of modern southwestern cuisine and explorer of cuisines in over 100 countries, discusses the most underrated chili pepper, the best food cities in Asia, Mexico, and Europe, the problems with sous-vide, mezcal versus tequila, the decline of food brands, and why the next hipster food trend should be about corn.

Jan 11, 2017 • 1h 27min
Jhumpa Lahiri on Writing, Translation, and Crossing Between Cultures (Live at Mason)
Author, teacher, and translator Jhumpa Lahiri joins Tyler for a conversation on identity, Rhode Island, writing as problem solving, reading across languages, the badness of book covers, Elena Ferrante, Bengali culture, the magic of Calcutta, Italian authors, Indian classical music, architectural influences, and much more. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video. Other ways to connect Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Follow Tyler on Twitter Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Subscribe at our newsletter page to have the latest Conversations with Tyler news sent straight to your inbox.

Dec 14, 2016 • 1h 25min
Joseph Henrich on WEIRD Societies and Life Among Two Strange Tribes (Live at Mason)
To anthropologist Joseph Henrich, intelligence is overrated. Social learning, and its ability to influence biological evolution over time, is what really sets our species apart. He joined Tyler for a conversation on his work on cultural evolution, as well as his life among different tribes (academic and otherwise), Star Trek, big gods, small gods, China’s missing industrial revolution, the merits of coconut milk, the Flynn effect, American exceptionalism, and why he wants to travel in time to 6th-century Kent. Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video. Other ways to connect Follow us on Twitter and Instagram Follow Tyler on Twitter Follow Joe on Twitter Email us: cowenconvos@mercatus.gmu.edu Subscribe at our newsletter page to have the latest Conversations with Tyler news sent straight to your inbox.