Episode
#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
2:15:29
Published: Sat Apr 10 2021
Description
Tyler Cowen is an economist, writer, and podcaster. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - Linode: https://linode.com/lex to get $100 free credit - ExpressVPN: https://expressvpn.com/lexpod and use code LexPod to get 3 months free - SimpliSafe: https://simplisafe.com/lex and use code LEX to get a free security camera - Public Goods: https://publicgoods.com/lex and use code LEX to get $15 off EPISODE LINKS: Tyler's Twitter: https://twitter.com/tylercowen Tyler's Blog: https://marginalrevolution.com/ Conversations with Tyler (Podcast): https://conversationswithtyler.com/ Big Business (Book): https://amzn.to/2OBPbaK Tyler's Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Cowen PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (07:24) - Economics (09:16) - Nuclear war (16:03) - The American dream (23:16) - Capitalism: pros and cons (29:50) - Is competition good for the world? (31:53) - Free market (32:57) - Anarchy (35:23) - Ayn Rand (40:04) - The case for big business (44:31) - Clubhouse (49:35) - Loneliness (51:47) - Eric Weinstein and economic growth (56:08) - Communism (58:58) - Putin (1:04:29) - China (1:09:21) - UBI (1:13:17) - Disagreement with Eric Weinstein (1:17:09) - Money, Bitcoin, and Ethereum (1:25:20) - WallStreetBets (1:29:16) - MIT (1:36:44) - UFO sightings (1:44:03) - Contemporary art is misunderstood (1:51:06) - Mexican food is the best in the world (1:55:56) - Jiro Dreams of Sushi (1:59:59) - Book recommendations (2:02:15) - Advice for young people (2:05:53) - Love (2:11:35) - Mortality (2:13:25) - Meaning of life
Chapters
In this episode of The Conversations with Tyler, Joe Rogan and Tyler Cowen talk about Cowen's struggles with his love-hate relationship with food and his inability to moderate consumption.
00:00 - 02:02 (02:02)
Summary
In this episode of The Conversations with Tyler, Joe Rogan and Tyler Cowen talk about Cowen's struggles with his love-hate relationship with food and his inability to moderate consumption. Despite this, Cowen is still able to enjoy indulging in his love for food and talks about his experiences with it.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast discusses how computational infrastructure can enable advancements in censorship, scaling, and innovation.
02:02 - 08:00 (05:57)
Summary
This podcast discusses how computational infrastructure can enable advancements in censorship, scaling, and innovation. Also, the episode highlights the examples of SimpliSafe and Public Goods and how both companies are making a difference in the market through technology.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
According to a physicist the world is safe from the possibility of destruction from an extinction level kind of evil as it is unlikely to manifest itself, meaning humans might just be able to last way longer.
08:00 - 13:57 (05:56)
Summary
According to a physicist the world is safe from the possibility of destruction from an extinction level kind of evil as it is unlikely to manifest itself, meaning humans might just be able to last way longer.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses how the United States has historically been seen as a place of opportunity for immigrants to build and scale innovative technology, but also acknowledges the challenges of disruptive technologies such as cyber attacks and artificial intelligence.
13:57 - 18:59 (05:02)
Summary
The speaker discusses how the United States has historically been seen as a place of opportunity for immigrants to build and scale innovative technology, but also acknowledges the challenges of disruptive technologies such as cyber attacks and artificial intelligence. Additionally, he highlights the success of Indian and Iranian immigrants, while noting that intergenerational mobility has remained relatively stable for native-born Americans.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast episode explores the impact of capitalism on various aspects of culture and entertainment, including meme culture, podcasts, music, and movies.
18:59 - 25:29 (06:29)
Summary
This podcast episode explores the impact of capitalism on various aspects of culture and entertainment, including meme culture, podcasts, music, and movies. The host also discusses some negative downsides of capitalism and long-term concerns.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The US has become a nation of weirdos thanks to the influx of immigrants and outsiders, who are often willing to leave behind everything and embrace new ways of thinking.
25:29 - 29:45 (04:15)
Summary
The US has become a nation of weirdos thanks to the influx of immigrants and outsiders, who are often willing to leave behind everything and embrace new ways of thinking. This mindset fuels creativity and innovation, as those who are different aren't restricted by the norms and conventions of society.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast hosts discuss anarchism, a set of ideas that takes the free market to the extreme, advocating for no government.
29:45 - 39:02 (09:17)
Summary
The podcast hosts discuss anarchism, a set of ideas that takes the free market to the extreme, advocating for no government. They discuss if it's possible for an anarchist society to work in a fully distributed way, with people agreeing on not just financial transactions, but also personal security, military, healthcare, and education.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The NBA set an example for crisis management by canceling their season early and executing a successful bubble with zero cases of COVID-19, while people are often quick to criticize new resources and systems rather than giving them a chance to improve.
39:02 - 45:41 (06:39)
Summary
The NBA set an example for crisis management by canceling their season early and executing a successful bubble with zero cases of COVID-19, while people are often quick to criticize new resources and systems rather than giving them a chance to improve. The military still polls well, but many people are disillusioned with various aspects of society.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The tension between productivity and the spontaneity of live conversations still creates a magic that gives pause, particularly when we are seeking to be deeply understood.
45:41 - 51:29 (05:47)
Summary
The tension between productivity and the spontaneity of live conversations still creates a magic that gives pause, particularly when we are seeking to be deeply understood. Although it may not be the best platform for everyone, the potential for anything to happen in a live conversation still holds a certain allure.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Eric Weinstein and Lex Fridman discuss the outlook of American growth and economy in the coming years, touching on the potential positive impact of computation in innovation for continued growth.
51:31 - 58:48 (07:16)
Summary
Eric Weinstein and Lex Fridman discuss the outlook of American growth and economy in the coming years, touching on the potential positive impact of computation in innovation for continued growth.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Putin's incentives are to steer the Russian system where economic power is in the hands of a small, non-diversified group, thus leaving little room for a balance of political power.
58:49 - 1:04:13 (05:23)
Summary
Putin's incentives are to steer the Russian system where economic power is in the hands of a small, non-diversified group, thus leaving little room for a balance of political power. It is still possible for Putin to hold onto power for longer than 30 years due to the new constitution.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The absence of children in one's life does not equate to a purposeless existence.
1:04:13 - 1:13:34 (09:20)
Summary
The absence of children in one's life does not equate to a purposeless existence. There are still plenty of options, such as finding a fulfilling career or relocating to a job opportunity, that will bring you joy and satisfaction.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker discusses his belief that outsourcing vaccine production can lead to issues with free trade, although he generally supports free trade as a positive thing.
1:13:34 - 1:17:16 (03:42)
Summary
The speaker discusses his belief that outsourcing vaccine production can lead to issues with free trade, although he generally supports free trade as a positive thing.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The recent excitement around cryptocurrency brings to the forefront the philosophical discussion of the nature of money.
1:17:19 - 1:23:42 (06:23)
Summary
The recent excitement around cryptocurrency brings to the forefront the philosophical discussion of the nature of money. With smart contracts and NFTs, interesting innovations are plugging into the human psyche just like money does, and it's possible that celebrities like Elon Musk and Donald Trump can define the currencies we use.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The recent phenomenon of individuals coordinating on the internet to have large-scale impacts on the market has led to questions about the understanding of economics.
1:23:43 - 1:28:35 (04:51)
Summary
The recent phenomenon of individuals coordinating on the internet to have large-scale impacts on the market has led to questions about the understanding of economics. It is compared to a new brand of esports, possibly more fun than the old brand.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The weird people are the ones that push science forward, and more often than not, these people are senior faculty members who don't ask for permission to be weird.
1:28:35 - 1:32:20 (03:45)
Summary
The weird people are the ones that push science forward, and more often than not, these people are senior faculty members who don't ask for permission to be weird.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The humanities are being outshined by the engineering and science side, making them feel almost jealous, but the internet has become a source of innovation.
1:32:20 - 1:37:14 (04:53)
Summary
The humanities are being outshined by the engineering and science side, making them feel almost jealous, but the internet has become a source of innovation. Diversity is deeply respected as well.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The dismissal of conspiracy theories creates distrust in the government and science, hindering exploration of exciting possibilities.
1:37:14 - 1:45:22 (08:08)
Summary
The dismissal of conspiracy theories creates distrust in the government and science, hindering exploration of exciting possibilities. Examining and discussing theories with curiosity and an open mind can lead to greater understanding and wisdom.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Some people believe that to appreciate contemporary art, you must understand the story behind the art, while others argue that abstract art makes more sense and appeals naturally even to small children.
1:45:22 - 1:51:04 (05:42)
Summary
Some people believe that to appreciate contemporary art, you must understand the story behind the art, while others argue that abstract art makes more sense and appeals naturally even to small children. There may be a steeper learning curve for contemporary art, and it takes more work to appreciate the stories and the context behind the artwork.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The host discusses the differences between Mexican food stands and the Mexican food you get in the U.S. Popular Mexican food such as burritos and fajitas originated from Mexico, but there are other regions in Mexico where the food is just as good or better.
1:51:04 - 1:54:47 (03:43)
Summary
The host discusses the differences between Mexican food stands and the Mexican food you get in the U.S. Popular Mexican food such as burritos and fajitas originated from Mexico, but there are other regions in Mexico where the food is just as good or better.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A discussion on the Beatles' White Album and how its minimalistic approach demonstrates the importance of discipline and dedication in artistry.
1:54:47 - 2:02:28 (07:40)
Summary
A discussion on the Beatles' White Album and how its minimalistic approach demonstrates the importance of discipline and dedication in artistry. The comparison to sushi highlights the misconception that simplicity is easy to achieve.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, the host discusses the importance of small groups of people that share common interests and goals, and how finding the right collaborators can lead to success in various fields.
2:02:28 - 2:07:57 (05:29)
Summary
In this podcast, the host discusses the importance of small groups of people that share common interests and goals, and how finding the right collaborators can lead to success in various fields.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
A fan discusses why they believe Bruce Springsteen's album Born to Run has held up the best, calling it their favorite from him, praising its studio quality while critiquing the simplicity of his later work's percussion.
2:07:57 - 2:10:23 (02:25)
Summary
A fan discusses why they believe Bruce Springsteen's album Born to Run has held up the best, calling it their favorite from him, praising its studio quality while critiquing the simplicity of his later work's percussion.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The meaning of life is not a universal truth, but rather a subjective perception that can be shaped through personal experiences such as studying different cultures and arts, traveling, and exploring different disciplines such as mathematics.
2:10:23 - 2:14:35 (04:11)
Summary
The meaning of life is not a universal truth, but rather a subjective perception that can be shaped through personal experiences such as studying different cultures and arts, traveling, and exploring different disciplines such as mathematics. However, it is unlikely for future generations to comprehend the contemporary context of our lives just as we struggle to understand texts from previous eras.
Episode#174 – Tyler Cowen: Economic Growth and the Fight Against Conformity and Mediocrity
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this final segment, the podcast comes to a close with a thank you to Tyler Cowen, followed by a quote from Adam Smith.
2:14:35 - 2:15:19 (00:44)
Summary
In this final segment, the podcast comes to a close with a thank you to Tyler Cowen, followed by a quote from Adam Smith.