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"Econ 102" with Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg: Cost Disease, USAID Debate, and is Curtis Yarvin Trapped in 2020

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Manage episode 486783655 series 3506872
Content provided by interfluidity, subscribed podcasts. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by interfluidity, subscribed podcasts or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

This week, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg explore persistent economic myths and recent developments—from cost disease in services like healthcare and education to stagnating manufacturing productivity, rising higher education costs, drug pricing policies, and student loan debates—while also reflecting on broader intellectual shifts driven by culture wars and foreign aid discussions.

SPONSORS:

NetSuite

More than 41,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netsuite.com/102⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AdQuick

The easiest way to book out-of-home ads (like billboards, vehicle wraps, and airport displays) the same way you would order an Uber. Ready to get your brand the attention it deserves? Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://adquick.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today to start reaching your customers in the real world.

SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: [email protected]

FOLLOW ON X:

@noahpinion

@eriktorenberg

@turpentinemedia

RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:

Noahpinion: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.noahpinion.blog/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Healthcare & Education Cost Trends Reversing: Healthcare price growth has slowed significantly since 2009 and is now growing slower than average costs.
  • Technology's Role in Services: AI potentially solving education through personalized one-on-one tutoring (referencing "The Diamond Age").
  • Student Loans & Market Dynamics: Marginal students are dropping out of college, reducing demand.
  • Pharmaceutical Pricing: Americans actually pay less on average for pharmaceuticals due to cheaper generics.
  • Cultural Commentary: Discussing intellectual debates between prominent thinkers (Tyler Cowen vs. Scott Alexander on foreign aid, Scott Alexander vs. Curtis Yarvin on governance), emphasizing the importance of not getting trapped in the cultural moment of 2020-2021.

  continue reading

129 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 486783655 series 3506872
Content provided by interfluidity, subscribed podcasts. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by interfluidity, subscribed podcasts or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.

This week, Noah Smith and Erik Torenberg explore persistent economic myths and recent developments—from cost disease in services like healthcare and education to stagnating manufacturing productivity, rising higher education costs, drug pricing policies, and student loan debates—while also reflecting on broader intellectual shifts driven by culture wars and foreign aid discussions.

SPONSORS:

NetSuite

More than 41,000 businesses have already upgraded to NetSuite by Oracle, the #1 cloud financial system bringing accounting, financial management, inventory, HR, into ONE proven platform. Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine learning: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://netsuite.com/102⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

AdQuick

The easiest way to book out-of-home ads (like billboards, vehicle wraps, and airport displays) the same way you would order an Uber. Ready to get your brand the attention it deserves? Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://adquick.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today to start reaching your customers in the real world.

SEND US YOUR Q's FOR NOAH TO ANSWER ON AIR: [email protected]

FOLLOW ON X:

@noahpinion

@eriktorenberg

@turpentinemedia

RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:

Noahpinion: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.noahpinion.blog/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Healthcare & Education Cost Trends Reversing: Healthcare price growth has slowed significantly since 2009 and is now growing slower than average costs.
  • Technology's Role in Services: AI potentially solving education through personalized one-on-one tutoring (referencing "The Diamond Age").
  • Student Loans & Market Dynamics: Marginal students are dropping out of college, reducing demand.
  • Pharmaceutical Pricing: Americans actually pay less on average for pharmaceuticals due to cheaper generics.
  • Cultural Commentary: Discussing intellectual debates between prominent thinkers (Tyler Cowen vs. Scott Alexander on foreign aid, Scott Alexander vs. Curtis Yarvin on governance), emphasizing the importance of not getting trapped in the cultural moment of 2020-2021.

  continue reading

129 episodes

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