#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity

About this episode

<p>Tyler Cowen is an economist, writer, and podcaster. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors:<br /> &#8211; <b>Linode</b>: <a href="https://linode.com/lex">https://linode.com/lex</a> to get $100 free credit<br /> &#8211; <b>ExpressVPN</b>: <a href="https://expressvpn.com/lexpod">https://expressvpn.com/lexpod</a> and use code LexPod to get 3 months free<br /> &#8211; <b>SimpliSafe</b>: <a href="https://simplisafe.com/lex">https://simplisafe.com/lex</a> and use code LEX to get a free security camera<br /> &#8211; <b>Public Goods</b>: <a href="https://publicgoods.com/lex">https://publicgoods.com/lex</a> and use code LEX to get $15 off</p> <p><b>EPISODE LINKS:</b><br /> Tyler&#8217;s Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/tylercowen">https://twitter.com/tylercowen</a><br /> Tyler&#8217;s Blog: <a href="https://marginalrevolution.com/">https://marginalrevolution.com/</a><br /> Conversations with Tyler (Podcast): <a href="https://conversationswithtyler.com/">https://conversationswithtyler.com/</a><br /> Big Business (Book): <a href="https://amzn.to/2OBPbaK">https://amzn.to/2OBPbaK</a><br /> Tyler&#8217;s Wiki: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Cowen">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Cowen</a></p> <p><b>PODCAST INFO:</b><br /> Podcast website: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/podcast">https://lexfridman.com/podcast</a><br /> Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://apple.co/2lwqZIr">https://apple.co/2lwqZIr</a><br /> Spotify: <a href="https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8">https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8</a><br /> RSS: <a href="https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/">https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/</a><br /> YouTube Full Episodes: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexfridman">https://youtube.com/lexfridman</a><br /> YouTube Clips: <a href="https://youtube.com/lexclips">https://youtube.com/lexclips</a></p> <p><b>SUPPORT &#38; CONNECT:</b><br /> &#8211; Check out the sponsors above, it&#8217;s the best way to support this podcast<br /> &#8211; Support on Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman">https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/lexfridman">https://twitter.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman">https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman">https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman</a><br /> &#8211; Medium: <a href="https://medium.com/@lexfridman">https://medium.com/@lexfridman</a></p> <p><b>OUTLINE:</b><br /> Here&#8217;s the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time.<br /> (00:00) &#8211; Introduction<br /> (07:24) &#8211; Economics<br /> (09:16) &#8211; Nuclear war<br /> (16:03) &#8211; The American dream<br /> (23:16) &#8211; Capitalism: pros and cons<br /> (29:50) &#8211; Is competition good for the world?<br /> (31:53) &#8211; Free market<br /> (32:57) &#8211; Anarchy<br /> (35:23) &#8211; Ayn Rand<br /> (40:04) &#8211; The case for big business<br /> (44:31) &#8211; Clubhouse<br /> (49:35) &#8211; Loneliness<br /> (51:47) &#8211; Eric Weinstein and economic growth<br /> (56:08) &#8211; Communism<br /> (58:58) &#8211; Putin<br /> (1:04:29) &#8211; China<br /> (1:09:21) &#8211; UBI<br /> (1:13:17) &#8211; Disagreement with Eric Weinstein<br /> (1:17:09) &#8211; Money, Bitcoin, and Ethereum<br /> (1:25:20) &#8211; WallStreetBets<br /> (1:29:16) &#8211; MIT<br /> (1:36:44) &#8211; UFO sightings<br /> (1:44:03) &#8211; Contemporary art is misunderstood<br /> (1:51:06) &#8211; Mexican food is the best in the world<br /> (1:55:56) &#8211; Jiro Dreams of Sushi<br /> (1:59:59) &#8211; Book recommendations<br /> (2:02:15) &#8211; Advice for young people<br /> (2:05:53) &#8211; Love<br /> (2:11:35) &#8211; Mortality<br /> (2:13:25) &#8211; Meaning of life</p>