NEW SHOW FEATURE: We are now LIVE streaming our shows. Want to join us live? Just click this link every Friday at 3pm ET / 12pm PT.
This week on The Soul of Enterprise, Ron and Ed sit down with economist and author Steven Landsburg for a wide-ranging conversation that spans the frontiers of economics and physics. Known for his provocative insights and clear explanations of complex ideas, Landsburg discusses his latest work in economics—including why artificial intelligence continues to stumble on his famously challenging exams. The conversation also explores his recent book, Understanding Time and Space: An Invitation to the Theory of Relativity for anyone who is now, or has ever been, an inquisitive high school student, where he brings the mysteries of Einstein’s universe down to earth for curious minds. Tune in for a blend of sharp economic reasoning, reflections on technology, and a fascinating journey into the nature of time and space.
SHOW NOTES
Segment one
Here is a link to the book Professor Landsburg wrote that we talked about in the first segment
“The Big Questions” is the name of Steven Landsburg’s site, including his blog. Link is here: https://www.thebigquestions.com/
“Spacetime Tells Matter How to Move” by Steven Landsburg https://www.thebigquestions.com/2015/11/26/spacetime-tells-matter-how-to-move/
“Efficient Tariffs” by Steven Landsburg https://www.thebigquestions.com/2018/09/23/efficient-tariffs/
Segment two
To get the second segment started today, we opened up the pages of one of Steven Landsburg’s books, The Armchair Economist https://www.amazon.com/Armchair-Economist-Economics-Everyday-Life/dp/1451651732
We also touched on “Fair Play: What Your Child Can Teach You About Economics, Values, and The Meaning Of Life” https://www.amazon.com/Fair-Play-Steven-Landsburg/dp/0684827557
Today on the show we learned that Steven Landsburg wrote a book in 2019 called, “The Essential Milton Friedman” https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Milton-Friedman-Scholars-ebook/dp/B082J64W7Z
From a story that Steven Landsburg told today (about his own experience): “Professor Friedman would like to have lunch with you. He’ll buy you a plane ticket so you can join him for lunch at his home.” I mean….hasn’t that happened to all of us?
Segment three
To paraphrase Milton Friedman’s work and kick off segment three of the show: “Macroeconomics is just microeconomics done poorly"
Here is a link to the 10th edition of “PRICE THEORY AND APPLICATIONS” by Steven E Landsburg https://www.amazon.com/Price-Theory-Applications-Steven-Landsburg/dp/981126418X
Regarding the ever decreasing cost of college textbooks: “All I want is for people to learn things.” —Steven Landsburg
While Professor Landsburg has not revised this experiment it is still fun to read about how he stumped ChatGPT with his exam questions in 2023 https://www.thebigquestions.com/2023/04/04/chatgpt-fails-economics/
Segment four
We discussed Milton Friedman’s position on medical licensing in segment four: Friedman's position, as detailed in his 1962 book Capitalism and Freedom and in later discussions, was that medical licensing created a monopoly that restricted the supply of doctors and drove up costs.
“Can You Outsmart An Economist?: 100+ Puzzles to Train Your Brain” by Steven E. Landsburg https://www.amazon.com/Can-Outsmart-Economist-Steven-Landsburg/dp/1328489868
More Sex is Safer Sex and Other Surprises, Professor Steven E. Landsburg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McxP8l_OCco
A big THANK YOU to Professor Steven Landsburg for joining us today! Folks, he’s got a LOT of work out there. Start with his site at this link: https://www.thebigquestions.com/
Bonus Content is Available As Well
Did you know that each week after our live show, Ron and Ed take to the microphone for a bonus show? Typically, this bonus show is an extension of the live show topic (sometimes even with the same guest) and a few other pieces of news, current events, or things that have caught our attention.
Click the “FANATIC” image to learn more about pricing and member benefits.