The Curious Task

Alex speaks with Erwin Dekker about the economics and philosophy of art, examining various theories on how art derives its value. Dekker explores perspectives from classical liberal thinkers, discussing the role of market forces, cultural significance, and individual perception in determining the worth of art, as well as how art's intangible qualities challenge traditional economic valuation. References"Realizing the Values of Art: Making Space for Cultural Civil Society" by Erwin Dekker and Valeria MoreaLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Realizing-Values-Art-Cultural-Economics/dp/3030875302 Erwin Dekker's WebsiteLink: https://www.erwindekker.com/ "The Market and the City: Square and Stage in Classical Economies" by Erwin DekkerLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Market-City-Classical-Economies-ebook/dp/B08J1TJKKL "The Value of Culture: On the Relationship between Economics and Arts" by Arjo KlamerLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Value-Culture-Relationship-between-Economics/dp/9053562184 "The Economics of Aesthetics: Art and the Market" by Bruno S. FreyLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Economics-Aesthetics-Bruno-S-Frey/dp/1441973850 "Art and the Market: Roger Fry on Commerce in Art" by Charles Saumarez SmithLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Art-Market-Roger-Commerce/dp/0801433685 "Creative Destruction" by Tyler CowenLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Creative-Destruction-Cowen/dp/0691117591 "What Price Fame?" by Tyler CowenLink: https://www.amazon.ca/What-Price-Fame-Tyler-Cowen/dp/0674955107 Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.To become a patron, go to patreon.com/curioustask

Matt speaks with Lauren Hall about "radical moderation," a framework that encourages moving beyond binary thinking in social and political issues. Hall explains her framework, which helps individuals navigate complex situations by fostering curiosity, empathy, and creative thinking. They also discuss the roles of community, parenting, and social psychology in moderating polarized views. Episode Notes:  "Radical Moderation" by Lauren HallFind more at: https://radicalmoderatesguide.substack.com "The Way Out: How to Overcome Toxic Polarization" by Peter T. ColemanLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Way-Out-Overcome-Toxic-Polarization/dp/0231195718 "High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out" by Amanda RipleyLink: https://www.amazon.ca/High-Conflict-Trapped-How-Out/dp/1982128575 "Elements of Justice" by David SchmidtzLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Elements-Justice-David-Schmidtz/dp/0521539360 "Living Together: Essays on Justice, Pluralism, and Community" by David SchmidtzLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Living-Together-Essays-Justice-Pluralism/dp/0190233731 "The Polarization Detox Challenge" by Starts With UsExplore more at: https://startswith.us/polarization-detox "The Science of Family: The Politics of Moderation in Family Policies" by Lauren HallLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Science-Family-Politics-Moderation-Policies/dp/0367523267 Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.To become a patron, go to patreon.com/curioustask

Alex speaks with Elias Khalil about the influential ideas of Ibn Khaldun, delving into Khaldun's theories on the rise and fall of civilizations, the nature of political communities, and the importance of solidarity (Asabiyya). Khalil connects these insights to classical liberal thought and the works of Adam Smith, emphasizing Khaldun’s impact on understanding political order as a product of social dynamics rather than divine intervention. References 1. "The Muqaddimah: An Introduction to History" by Ibn Khaldun, translated by Franz RosenthalLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Muqaddimah-Introduction-History-Ibn-Khaldun/dp/0691166285 2. “Ibn Khaldoun and Adam Smith—Two Heroes of the Modern Age.”https://www.adamsmithworks.org/documents/ibnkhaldoun-and-adam-smith (Liberty Fund), 11 November 2020; 3. “Ibn Khaldûn on Property Rights, The Muqaddimah: An Introduction to History.”Journal of Institutional Economics, August 2007, 3:2, pp. 227-238. (It includes along excerpt (pp. 233-238) from Ibn Khaldûn’s The Muqaddimah: An Introductionto History.) http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1744137407000677 4. "The Theory of Moral Sentiments" by Adam SmithLink: https://a.co/d/j7XuEp4 5. "The Wealth of Nations" by Adam SmithLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Wealth-Nations-Adam-Smith/dp/1505577128   

Matt speaks with Larry White about the principles of free banking, focusing on how competitive banking systems can operate without centralized control. Larry highlights historical examples and the theoretical frameworks supporting free banking, emphasizing the benefits of decentralized monetary systems. References "The Theory of Free Banking: Money Supply under Competitive Note Issue" by Larry WhiteLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Theory-Free-Banking-Supply-Competitive/dp/091396913X "Free Banking in Britain: Theory, Experience, and Debate, 1800-1845" by Larry WhiteLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Free-Banking-Britain-Experience-1800-1845/dp/0521379838 "Competition and Currency: Essays on Free Banking and Money" by Lawrence H. WhiteLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Competition-Currency-Essays-Banking-Money/dp/0814779786 "Money, Bank Credit, and Economic Cycles" by Jesús Huerta de SotoLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Money-Credit-Economic-Cycles-Jesus/dp/1933550030 "The Denationalisation of Money" by Friedrich HayekLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Denationalisation-Money-Friedrich-Hayek/dp/0255360872 "The Experience of Free Banking" by Kevin DowdLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Experience-Free-Banking-Kevin-Dowd/dp/0415099357 "Money and the Market: Essays on Free Banking" by Kevin DowdLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Money-Market-Essays-Free-Banking/dp/0415140552 Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.To become a patron, go to patreon.com/curioustask

Alex speaks with Alex Edmans about his book May Contain Lies, examining the widespread issue of misinformation and exploring how factors like confirmation bias, cognitive shortcuts, and misleading statistics can shape public opinion. They discuss practical strategies for identifying and avoiding misinformation, along with the broader societal impact of misinterpreted data. References "May Contain Lies" by Alex EdmansLink: https://a.co/d/aX2AJ0I "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel KahnemanLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman/dp/0385676530 "Superforecasting: The Art and Science of Prediction" by Philip E. TetlockLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Superforecasting-Art-Science-Philip-Tetlock/dp/0804136696 "Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About the World – and Why Things Are Better Than You Think" by Hans RoslingLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Factfulness-Reasons-World-Things-Better/dp/1250107814 "The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail – but Some Don't" by Nate SilverLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Signal-Noise-Many-Predictions-Fail/dp/0143125087 "How to Lie with Statistics" by Darrell HuffLink: https://www.amazon.ca/How-Lie-Statistics-Darrell-Huff/dp/0393310728 "Start With Why" by Simon SinekLink: https://www.amazon.ca/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447 Thanks to our patrons including: Amy Willis, Kris Rondolo, and Christopher McDonald.To become a patron, go to patreon.com/curioustask