The Curious Task

Alex Aragona speaks with Cara Zwibel as she offers her thoughts on whether we can maintain our civil liberties during an emergency like a pandemic, and how we can do so. References from Episode 62 with Cara Zwibel This is the website for the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. The Government of Canada has sector and industry-specific guidelines in place for the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be reviewed here. You can refresh yourself on the articles of The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms on the Canada Justice Laws Website. You can read about the Government of Canada’s travel restrictions and position on face coverings (Note: provinces and territories may have varying mandatory rules on face coverings). Provincial and territorial travel restrictions may be accessed through this official masterlist. Taylor v. Her Majesty the Queen, 2020 NLSC 125 is the Newfoundland Court challenge pursued by the CCLA. The transcript of Cara’s interview with The Halifax Examiner can be read here. This is the CCLA’s letter to the Correctional Service of Canada outlining their concerns “regarding the health and well-being of the inmates and staff in Canada’s federal correctional institutions.” A link to the CCLA’s press release on their mission to support Toronto’s homeless population can be accessed here. 

Alex Aragona speaks with Bryan Caplan about the value of a formal education, and compares the alleged benefits against the reality. References from Episode 61 with Bryan Caplan You can purchase Bryan Caplan’s New York Times best-seller, The Myth of the Rational Voter from Amazon Canada at this link. His other publications include Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids (book), The Case Against Education (the book upon which this episode was based), and Open Borders (graphic novel).  This is an outline of Bryan’s upcoming work on Poverty: Who to Blame. You can refer to a breakdown of Bryan’s study of the Economic Models of Education, where he operationalizes his definition of “human capital purism” here. Bryan builds off of Michael Spence’s work on signaling. One of Michael’s publications, Signaling in Retrospect and the Informational Structure of Markets, can be accessed with an active JSTOR account. Bryan briefly uses the term Catch-22 that was coined by Joseph Heller’s novel of the same name, which can be purchased through Amazon Canada. There is a reference to the Indian caste system when Bryan was comparing the inclinations of degree-bearers to marry those who have a degree at a similar level. A thorough study of the sociopolitics of identity and status under the Indian caste system may be read here.  While discussing how to discipline thinking about the intelligent life in the universe, Bryan references the Drake Equation whose analysis by Leonor Sierra (University of Rochester) can be reviewed on NASA’s website. The Corporate Finance Institute published a rundown on the meaning of “austerity,” which can be read here. You can watch The Pianist, which Bryan references while forecasting relevancies in employer consideration, on Amazon Prime.

Alex Aragona speaks with Eric Schliesser as he explores the history of the term "neoliberalism," its eventual evolution, and what neoliberalism means today. References from episode 60 with Eric Schliesser Here is a list of Eric Schliesser’s publications. Dr. Karen Horn and Dr. Stefan Kolev’s joint work, entitled Economic Thinking, has a German version available for purchase on Amazon Canada at this link. Walter Lippmann’s book, The Good Society, which went on to become an international hit as for “its insight of neoliberalism as the intellectual status quo in the 19th century” can be purchased on Amazon Canada at this link. Marxist Scholar David Harvey’s book, A Brief History of Neoliberalism, where he equated neoliberalism “to everything he hated about capitalism” is available on Amazon Canada at this link. Mishel Foucault’s lecture series where he traced the history of neoliberalism from the eighteenth to twentieth centuries was published as The Birth of Biopolitics, which can be purchased on Amazon Canada at this link. Mark Buchanan’s article Wealth Happens analyzes the the “butchers and bakers” quote that was mentioned in passing by Alex Aragona at this online publishing from The Harvard Business Review. Milton Friedman’s article, Laws That Do Harm, is available for viewing at the Center of the American Experiment’s blog, which features the quote to “judge public policies by their results, not their intentions.” According to Eric Schliesser, the harm principle is a core liberal value and can be extended to markets. You can read about the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy’s lesson on John Stuart Mill’s version of the harm principle (Chapter 3.6) here. You can read Milton Friedman’s The Basic Principles of Liberalism here. You can watch Milton Friedman speak about the enemies of markets on the American Enterprise Institute’s website at this link. The Elgar Companian to the Chicago School of Economics can be purchased directly from the publishers here. Alex Aragona quotes this blogpost, How ‘Neoliberalism’ came to refer to Everything I reject from Digressions&Impressions.

Alex Aragona speaks with Lynne Kiesling as she explores the current structure of energy systems and delivery, and how they can be restructured in more market-oriented ways. References from Episode 59 with Lynne Kiesling You can buy Lynne Kiesling’s book, Deregulation, Innovation and Market Liberalization: Electricity Regulation in a Continually Evolving Environment, on Amazon Canada at this link. You can read more about Ben Franklin’s famous Kite-in-a-Thunderstorm Experiment that was briefly mentioned by Lynne here. Paul M. Sweezy’s analysis of Schumpeter’s Theory of Innovation may be accessed through an active account with the JSTOR database. Adam Smith’s law of mutually-beneficial commerce and exchange was introduced in his book, The Wealth of Nations, whose Second Part has been summarized in a module by the Cato Institute here. An in-depth explanation of Adam Smith’s benefits of free trade and commercial society may be read here. You can read Israel M. Kirzner’s article on Hayek and the Meaning of Subjectivism here.

Alex Aragona speaks with Matt Ridley as he explores the nature of innovation and the conditions that enable it to flourish. References 1. Mind & Matter Column, Wall Street Journal Link: https://www.wsj.com/news/types/mind-matter  2. “How Innovation Works: And Why It Flourishes in Freedom by Matt Ridley Link: https://www.amazon.ca/How-Innovation-Works-Flourishes-Freedom/dp/0062916599  3. “Northumberlandia” by The Gardens Trust  Link: https://thegardenstrust.blog/2015/08/15/northumberlandia/  4. “Thomas Newcomen” by Britannica Link: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Newcomen  5. “George Stephenson” by Britannica Link: https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Stephenson  6. “The Wright Brothers” by the National Air and Space Museum Link: https://airandspace.si.edu/explore/stories/wright-brothers  7. “How Mary Wortley Montagu’s bold experiment led to smallpox vaccine - 75 years before Jenner” by The Guardian Link: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/mar/28/how-mary-wortley-montagus-bold-experiment-led-to-smallpox-vaccine-75-years-before-jenner  8. “Charles Hard Townes” by Britannica Link: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Hard-Townes  9. “Steve Jobs and Bill Gates Historic Interview”  Link: https://www.everythingsupplychain.com/steve-jobs-and-bill-gates-historic-interview-15-minutes-750k-views/#:~:text=Steve%20Jobs%20and%20Bill%20Gates%20appeared%20together%20for%20a%20rare,Walt%20Mossberg%20and%20Kara%20Swisher.  10. “Samuel F.B. Morse” by Britannica Link: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Samuel-F-B-Morse

Alex Aragona speaks with Terry Anderson as he explores the external forces that have restrained the wealth and well-being of Indigenous peoples in the West, and how that wealth can be unlocked.  References 1. “Free Market Environmentalism for the Next Generation” by Terry L. Anderson and Donald R. Leal Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Market-Environmentalism-Generation-Anderson-Paperback/dp/B010CKSG1M  2. “Unlocking the Wealth of Indian Nations” by Terry Anderson Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Unlocking-Wealth-Indian-Nations-Anderson/dp/1498525679  3. Indigenous Econ Organization Website Link: https://indigenousecon.org/about  4. “American-Indian Wars” by History.com Link: https://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history/american-indian-wars  5. “Civil War” by the National Museum of the American Indian Link: https://americanindian.si.edu/static/why-we-serve/topics/civil-war/#:~:text=The%20war%20exacted%20a%20terrible,less%20secure%20after%20the%20war.  6. “The Cherokee Nation Cases” by the Supreme Court Historical Society Link: https://civics.supremecourthistory.org/article/the-cherokee-nation-cases/  7. “Potlatch Ban” by Living Tradition Link: https://umistapotlatch.ca/potlatch_interdire-potlatch_ban-eng.php#:~:text=In%20the%20late%201800s%2C%20the,became%20law%20January%201%2C%201885 8. “Northern Cheyenne Tribe: Traditional Law and Constitutional Reform” by Sheldon Spotted Elk Link: https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1082&context=tlj  9. “Our Story: A History of Resilience and Perseverance” by Coushatta.org Link: https://www.coushatta.org/our-story/

Alex Aragona speaks with Diana Thomas as she explores the factors that play into increasing childcare costs, and some potential solutions to the problem. References 1. “Regulation and the Cost of Childcare” by Diana Thomas and Devon Gorry Link: https://www.mercatus.org/students/research/working-papers/regulation-and-cost-child-care  2. Child Care Aware of America Link: https://www.childcareaware.org/

Alex Aragona speaks with Vincent Geloso as he explores anarcho-capitalist economic concepts and whether there are real life examples to back them up. References 1. Vincent’s Previous Episode “Should We Care About Equality” on The Curious Task Podcast Link: https://thecurioustask.podbean.com/e/ep-28-vincent-geloso-%e2%80%94-should-we-care-about-inequality/  2. “Private Creation and Enforcement of Law: A Historical Case” by David Friedman Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/724116?seq=1  3. “Are Anarcho-Capitalists Insane? Living Standards under Medieval Icelandic Conflict Institutions” by Vincent Geloso Link: https://vincentgeloso.com/2020/04/06/are-anarcho-capitalists-insane-medieval-icelandic-living-standards-in-comparative-perspective/ 4. “Trade or Raid: Acadian Settlers and Native Indians Before 1755” by Vincent Geloso Link: https://vincentgeloso.com/2017/08/28/trade-or-raid-acadian-settlers-and-native-indians-before-1755/  5. “Dynamics of Interventionism and Economic Development in Quebec before 1854” by Vincent Geloso Link: https://ebhsoc.org/journal/index.php/ebhs/article/view/313  6. “State Capacity and Economic Development: Causal Mechanism or Correlative Filter?” by Vincent Geloso and Alexander Salter Link: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3294086

Alex Aragona speaks with Dan Griswold as he explores the benefits of open markets and free trade, and whether you can "win" a trade war. References 1. “Mad About Trade: Why Main Street America Should Embrace Globalization” by Daniel Griswold Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Mad-About-Trade-America-Globalization/dp/193530819X  2. “Section 232 Investigation on the Effect of Imports of Steel on U.S. National Security” by U.S Department of Commerce Link: https://www.commerce.gov/issues/trade-enforcement/section-232-steel  3. “China Section 301-Tariff Actions and Exclusions Process” by Office of the United States Trade Representative Link: https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/enforcement/section-301-investigations/tariff-actions  4. “Only Congress can end the China trade war quagmire” by Daniel Griswold Link: https://www.mercatus.org/economic-insights/expert-commentary/only-congress-can-end-china-trade-war-quagmire  5. “The Coronavirus Should Not Prompt Us to Rethink Globalization” by Daniel Griswold Link: https://www.discoursemagazine.com/p/the-coronavirus-should-not-prompt-us-to-rethink-globalization  6. “Daniel Griswold: Curbing globalization would compound coronavirus damage” by Daniel Griswold  Link: https://www.twincities.com/2020/03/13/daniel-griswold-curbing-globalization-would-compound-coronavirus-damage/  7. “Daniel Griswold on US Demographic Decline and the Case for Expanding Immigration” by Daniel Griswold Link: https://www.mercatus.org/macro-musings/daniel-griswold-us-demographic-decline-and-case-expanding-immigration  8. “Clashing Over Commerce: A History of US Trade Policy” by Douglas Irwin Link: https://www.amazon.ca/Clashing-over-Commerce-History-Policy/dp/022639896X  9. “Death by China: Confronting the Dragon - A Global Call to Action” by Peter Navarro and Greg Autry Link: https://www.amazon.com/Death-China-Confronting-Dragon-paperback/dp/0134319036 10. “United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement” by Office of the United States Trade Representative Link: https://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/united-states-mexico-canada-agreement

Author of 'Unschooled' Kerry McDonald joins Alex Aragona to talk about how choice in education can allow children to lead happier and more fulfilled lives, and the positive impacts of taking education outside the conventional classroom.  References from Episode 53 with Kerry McDonald: You can buy Kerry McDonald’s book, Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom, on Amazon Canada at this link. You can buy Noam Chomsky’s book, Chomsky on Mis-Education, which Alex references in the podcast, on Amazon Canada at this link. You can read more about Timothy Layton’s Harvard study on the mental effects of younger children starting school on the Harvard Gazette here. You can read more about the Vanderbilt study on the correlation between youth suicide attempts and the academic year at this link. You can read more about the Yale research study on the dissatisfaction of children in high school here. You can read Kerry McDonald’s Fee.org article on parents favouring homeschooling in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic here.