Worklife with Adam Grant Esther Duflo wants you to think like a plumber
18 snips
Nov 9, 2021 
Esther Duflo, a Nobel laureate and MIT economist, transforms how we think about poverty and economics. She shares her early dislike for economics and how personal experiences fueled her passion. The conversation explores the importance of human motivation beyond just financial incentives, highlighting dignity and purpose. Duflo emphasizes economists as practical problem-solvers akin to plumbers, advocating for real-world applications of economic theories. With insights on social norms and behavior change, she inspires listeners to rethink solutions for complex global issues.
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Economics Education
- Many students find introductory economics irrelevant and give up on the field.
- Duflo believes this is due to poor teaching methods that obscure economics' practical applications.
Rethinking Poverty
- Assumptions about poverty range from the poor being helpless to being budding entrepreneurs.
- Duflo challenges these, highlighting the poor's agency and the diversity of their situations.
The "Lazy Poor" Myth
- The belief that the poor are lazy is widespread and often used to justify inaction.
- This belief persists despite evidence showing that financial assistance doesn't decrease work motivation.