The Curious Task

Matt speaks with Bart Wilson about what economists often overlook in their analysis—specifically, the role of morality, human cooperation, and language in shaping economic behaviour. Wilson argues that mainstream economics tends to focus too much on scarcity and efficiency while neglecting the deeper social and moral foundations that make trade and prosperity possible. Drawing on his book Meaningful Economics: Making the Science of Prosperity More Human, he explores how concepts like property, reciprocity, and justice emerge from human relationships rather than being imposed from the top down.  References: Meaningful Economics: Making the Science of Prosperity More Human by Bart Wilsonhttps://global.oup.com/academic/product/meaningful-economics-9780197758151?cc=us&lang=en&  The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smithhttps://a.co/d/j0nL0mY  The Theory of Moral Sentiments by Adam Smithhttps://a.co/d/iKwedtg  Knowledge and Decisions by Thomas Sowellhttps://a.co/d/cRgCwe4  The Invisible Heart: An Economic Romance by Russell Robertshttps://www.amazon.ca/dp/0262681358  Frankenstein by Mary Shelley https://a.co/d/a7vAUsi  Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit our Patreon page.   

Alex Aragona speaks with Tim Thurley about gun policy in Canada, discussing the current state of firearm regulations, the shift away from a past political consensus, and whether recent legislative changes are effectively targeting crime. They explore the role of licensing, background checks, and storage laws, as well as the impact of smuggled firearms and high-profile policy changes like Bill C-21 and the handgun freeze. Thurley argues that recent policy shifts focus on legal gun owners while failing to address the main sources of gun crime in Canada. References "Aiming Off Target: Gun Policy in Canada" by Tim Thurley & Noah Schwartz (Macdonald-Laurier Institute)https://macdonaldlaurier.ca/aiming-off-target-gun-policy-canada/ "On gun control, Liberals opt for wedge politics over actual change" by Noah Schwartzhttps://nationalpost.com/opinion/noah-schwartz-on-gun-control-liberals-opt-for-wedge-politics-over-actual-change  "More Guns, Less Crime" by John R. Lott Jr.https://www.amazon.ca/dp/0226493660 "The Culture of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things" by Barry Glassnerhttps://a.co/d/4qXgBqf  "The Origins and Development of Canada’s Firearms Laws" by R. Blake Brownhttps://a.co/d/bMb4zyV  "Armed: New Perspectives on Gun Control" by Gary Kleck & Don B. Kateshttps://a.co/d/5xk3gUj  Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.

Matt speaks with Ethan Nadelmann about vaping, e-cigarettes, and pouch nicotine alternatives to cigarettes within the broader context of health policy and the drug war. They discuss the misconceptions surrounding nicotine, harm reduction strategies, and how opposition to non-combustible nicotine mirrors past drug war policies. Ethan highlights international case studies, the role of public health organizations, and the influence of figures like Michael Bloomberg in shaping the global discourse - and misinformation - around alternatives to cigarettes. References "Thinking Seriously About Alternatives to Drug Prohibition" by Ethan Nadelmannhttps://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/20027122.pdf "The Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction" (KAC Reports)https://gsthr.org/ "High Price" by Carl Harthttps://a.co/d/inDX5Gi  "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness" by Richard H. Thaler & Cass R. Sunsteinhttps://www.amazon.ca/dp/014311526X "Ending the War on Drugs: A Solution for America" by Dirk Chase Eldredgehttps://a.co/d/bIGQpJ6  Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.  

Alex speaks with Eric Schliesser about the "freedom to" vs. "freedom from" debate in political theory, using Serene Khader’s book Faux Feminism as a central reference. They explore the historical distinction between negative and positive liberty, the role of hierarchy in structuring freedom, and how liberalism’s focus on removing restrictions can sometimes reinforce existing power structures. The discussion touches on feminist theory, liberal political thought, and broader critiques of market-based individualism. References Faux Feminism: Why We Fall for White Feminism and How We Can Stop by Serene Khaderhttps://a.co/d/fFRt6op Liberal Legislation and Freedom of Contract by T.H. Greenhttps://history.hanover.edu/texts/green.html Two Concepts of Liberty by Isaiah Berlinhttps://plato.stanford.edu/entries/liberty-positive-negative/ The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smithhttps://a.co/d/6YWK7bA The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendthttps://www.amazon.ca/Origins-Totalitarianism-Hannah-Arendt/dp/0156701537 Capitalism and Freedom by Milton Friedmanhttps://www.amazon.ca/Capitalism-Freedom-Milton-Friedman/dp/022673479X Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.  

Alex Aragona moderates a discussion with Ryan Thorpe and Matt Bufton about the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and its relevance in today’s world. They explore the CBC’s historical mission to promote Canadian culture and information, its struggles to meet its mandate, and the challenges posed by media fragmentation and perceived biases. The conversation also touches on the roles of private media, government funding, and the rise of independent outlets as alternatives to a state broadcaster. References Lament for a Nation: The Defeat of Canadian Nationalism by George Granthttps://www.amazon.ca/Lament-Nation-Defeat-Canadian-Nationalism/dp/077353010X Peter Mansbridge Quote on CBC’s "Toronto Bias"https://youtu.be/8c0HWFg9dpw?si=3Uo8DXe7MPMNRWyY Canadalandhttps://www.canadaland.com/ The Hubhttps://thehub.ca/ The Narwhalhttps://thenarwhal.ca/ The Tyeehttps://thetyee.ca/ Thanks to our patrons, including Kris Rondolo, Amy Willis, and Christopher McDonald. To support the podcast, visit https://patreon.com/curioustask.