Words & Numbers

Andrew Heaton joins us to discuss comedy, politics, and that we can’t seem to laugh at ourselves anymore because our politics have become our religion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our response to COVID has imposed changes across the whole economy. One of the industries that is likely to bear the lion’s share of those changes is higher education. COVID policies are laying bare the fact that both students and administrators have come to regard college less as a place to obtain an education than as a place to obtain a four-year “experience.” Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits Virtual Graduation https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/25/asia/india-university-virtual-reality-graduation-scli-intl/index.html Flying Cars https://dnyuz.com/2020/08/29/humans-take-a-step-closer-to-flying-cars/ Foolishness of the Week Drones and Drugs https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/36013/mexican-drug-cartel-now-assassinating-its-enemies-with-improvised-explosive-toting-drones Topic of the Week How Not to Be Terrible at College https://fee.org/shows/audio/words-numbers/how-not-to-be-terrible-at-college#player Join the Conversation Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steve Horwitz is back with us this week to discuss the Great Depression. The story that’s commonly handed down in high school history courses doesn’t match what economists and historians have come to understand about it. The government’s response was less an exercise in macroeconomic policy than it was an exercise in social engineering. The lessons of what didn’t work and why are important to us as we struggle with the COVID economy. Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits How Not to Be Terrible at College https://fee.org/shows/audio/words-numbers/how-not-to-be-terrible-at-college#player Liquid Democracy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid_democracy Post Office https://facts.usps.com/top-facts/ https://thehill.com/homenews/house/513241-house-passes-25b-bill-to-boost-postal-service https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2013/jul/24/american-postal-workers-union/postal-service-claim-not-fully-target/ Foolishness of the Week Germany’s Universal Income https://www.businessinsider.com/germany-begins-universal-basic-income-trial-three-years-2020-8 Topic of the Week: The Great Depression Steve Horwitz on the Great Depression https://youtu.be/EWyzWKnkwUg George Selgin on the Great Depression https://www.cato.org/blog/new-deal-recovery-part-7-fdr-gold Join the Conversation Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Todd Zywicki, Professor of Law at GMU and head of the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s Task Force on Consumer Financial Law joins us to discuss the pros and cons of consumer protection and financial regulation. Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! http://www.cooperationandcoercion.com Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits Covid Caseshttps://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Cases.aspx Nathan Benefield on Covid Cases https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/closer-look-coronavirus-numbers-pa-nathan-benefield/ Hospital Utilization Data https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/covid19/report-patient-impact.html#anchor_1594393649 The Long Arm of the California Tax Office https://californiaglobe.com/section-2/california-dems-wealth-tax-follows-people-who-move-out-of-the-state/ Foolishness of the Week Wisconsin Requires Face Masks at Home https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/511483-wisconsin-state-agency-requires-employees-to-wear-masks-while Topic of the Week Todd Zywicki https://www.law.gmu.edu/faculty/directory/fulltime/zywicki_todd https://www.amazon.com/Consumer-Financial-Management-Association-Synthesis/dp/0195169921 Unkoch My Campus http://www.unkochmycampus.org/cfpb Join the Conversation Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For two millenia, economics was a field of philosophy. Starting in the late 1800s, economists began to employ mathematical modeling in their thinking. The requirements of mathematical modeling have led modern economists to begin by assuming that humans behave in certain ways. This week, Steve Horwitz joins us to discuss Austrian economics, which is a school of thought that goes back to economics’ philosophical roots by beginning with questions, rather than assumptions, about how humans behave. Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/ Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits Shampoo Assistants https://nypost.com/2020/08/08/ny-dems-push-for-law-mandating-training-for-shampoo-assistants/ Democratic Campaign https://theweek.com/speedreads/929999/biden-campaign-reportedly-making-ruthless-cuts-convention-speaking-list Foolishness of the Week Bernie’s Latest Wealth Tax https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/18/upshot/warren-wealth-tax.html https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/06/sanders-billionaire-tax-bill-would-cost-bezos-musk-zuckerberg.html Topic of the Week Steve Horwitz http://www.sghorwitz.com/ Austrian Economicshttps://www.amazon.com/Austrian-Economics-Introduction-Libertarianism-Org-Guides/dp/1948647958/ref=sr_1_1 Theory and Practice in the Austrian School https://www.amazon.com/Theory-Practice-Austrian-School-Unbound-ebook/dp/B00CF0GXZO Join the Conversation Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In past episodes, we’ve discussed problems with policing including qualified immunity and the militarization of police. In this episode, we revisit the topic from the perspective of a former police officer. Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/ Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits Fitch https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/united-states-outlook-revised-to-negative-from-stable-by-fitch/ar-BB17qy05 Foolishness of the Week Capitalism https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2020/07/07/seattle_city_councilwoman_we_will_not_stop_until_we_overthrow_capitalism_replace_it_with_socialism.html Topic of the Week Ian Adams https://scholars.org/scholar/ian-adams Data on Police Shootings https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/four-years-in-a-row-police-nationwide-fatally-shoot-nearly-1000-people/2019/02/07/0cb3b098-020f-11e9-9122-82e98f91ee6f_story.html Police Shootings, Racism, and Statistical Paradox https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/06/11/opinion/statistical-paradox-police-killings/ Join the Conversation Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Constitution leaves policing up to the states. There is no provision for a national police force. Yet, numerous federal policing bodies have emerged and now the federal government is employing them in Portland in a manner that is a disturbing reminder of other governments’ secret police forces. Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/ Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits Balloon-Based 4G https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/balloons-bring-internet-to-20000-square-miles-of-kenya/ Google Employees Working at Home until 2021 https://nypost.com/2020/07/27/google-will-let-employees-work-from-home-until-july-2021/ Foolishness of the Week Washington Football Team https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/07/23/washington-redskins-new-team-name-washington-football-team/ Topic of the Week: Federal police action Clark Neily on Twitter https://twitter.com/ConLawWarrior Join the Conversation Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Conspiracy theories arise in part from our penchant for seeking patterns in random events and in part from our need to feel in control - to be able to explain the inexplicable. Some conspiracy theories are amusing, some will fool even skeptics, and some are dangerous. Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/ Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits Minimum Wage https://reports.nlihc.org/sites/default/files/oor/OOR_BOOK_2020.pdf https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/minimum-wage/2018/pdf/home.pdf Goya https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/donald-trump-goya-beans/ Foolishness of the Week Masks and Rights https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/1/forced-face-masking-civil-rights-offense/ Topic of the Week: Conspiracy Theories Elders of Zion https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Protocols_of_the_Elders_of_Zion The Clinton Hit List https://lasvegas.cbslocal.com/2016/08/10/the-list-of-clinton-associates-whove-died-mysteriously-check-it-out/ Flat Earthers https://flatearthfacts.com/flat-earth-model/proof-the-earth-is-flat/ Petroleum Company https://ask.metafilter.com/322588/Conspiracy-Theory-Petroleum-Company-Edition-Innovative-Technology Reptilian Overlords https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reptilian_conspiracy_theory Stonehenge http://www.theunexplainedvault.com/stonehenge-ancient-alien-theory/ancient-aliens/ Join the Conversation Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Founders established the three branches of government to provide checks on one another. But parties have come to supplant these institutions as the focus of loyalty for politicians. In this episode, we explore what the rise of parties means for our system of checks and balances. Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/ Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits Economic Update https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/UNRATE https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/EMRATIO https://www.macrotrends.net/1377/u6-unemployment-rate COVID Party https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/i-thought-this-was-a-hoax-patient-in-their-30s-dies-after-attending-covid-party Foolishness of the Week Upward-Thrusting Buildings https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/jul/06/upward-thrusting-buildings-ejaculating-cities-sexist-leslie-kern-phallic-feminist-city-toxic-masculinity Topic of the Week: Parties and Institutions Washington’s Farewell Address https://www.history.com/news/george-washington-farewell-address-warnings Federalist 51 https://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/primary-source-documents/the-federalist-papers/federalist-papers-no-51/ Books https://www.amazon.com/Robert-M-S-McDonald/e/B006G5XJK6 Join the Conversation Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rob McDonald returns for the second of a two-part series in which we discuss the Founding and his new book, The American Revolution. Get Your Copy of Cooperation and Coercion Now! https://isi.org/books/cooperation-and-coercion/ Show Your Support for Words & Numbers at Patreon https://www.patreon.com/wordsandnumbers Quick Hits Misunderstanding Research https://www.thecollegefix.com/scholar-forced-to-resign-over-study-that-found-police-shootings-not-biased-against-blacks/ https://www.pnas.org/content/116/32/15877 Faithless Electors https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-rules-faithless-electors-can-t-go-rogue-electoral-n1231394 Foolishness of the Week Kanye West https://www.showbiz411.com/2020/07/06/kanye-west-used-his-presidential-announcement-as-a-lure-to-sell-merchandise-online-this-afternoon Topic of the Week Rob McDonald https://teachingamericanhistory.org/blog/the-american-revolution-professor-robert-mcdonalds-new-core-document-collection/ Books https://www.amazon.com/Robert-M-S-McDonald/e/B006G5XJK6 Join the Conversation Words & Numbers Backstage https://www.facebook.com/groups/130029457649243/ Let Us Know What You Think mailto:wordsandnumberspodcast@gmail.com Antony Davies on Twitter https://twitter.com/antonydavies James R. Harrigan on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamesRHarrigan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices