The Making of Modern Japan

The Forum | 8 September 2018 | 0h 39m | Listen Later  | iTunes
From the mid-19th century, Japan transformed itself from feudal state to economic powerhouse at breakneck speed. The rebel samurai who seized power in 1868 removed an entire ruling elite, introduced national conscription and compulsory education, building a brand new society. Unpacks the origins of this transformation, and examines how it led to imperial expansion and the subsequent atrocities of World War II.

Gregory Clark on Using Names to Measure Social Mobility

Social Science Bites | 1 April 2014 | 0h 19m | Listen Later  | iTunes
Interview with economist Gregory Clark, author of “The Son Also Rises.” Describes how inferences about social mobility can be drawn from the distribution of surnames amongst elites in societies over many centuries. Discusses the implications for social policy if social status is highly heritable.

Why Minsky Matters

Analysis | 24 March 2014 | 0h 28m | Listen Later  | iTunes
Backgrounds the ideas of economist Hyman Minsky, who argued that in the good times the seeds of the next crisis are sown as the financial sector engages in riskier and riskier lending in pursuit of profit. Considers what his ideas suggest about the response to the 2008 crisis and current policies. Asks whether mainstream economics has done enough to respond to its failure to predict the crisis and the challenge posed by Minsky’s ideas.

Summit Fever

Choiceology with Dan Heath | 12 March 2018 | 0h 29m | Listen Later  | iTunes
Uses the story of the disastrous 1996 attempt to climb Mt Everest, where 8 climbers died to illustrate the sunk cost fallacy. Demonstrates the pervasiveness of this cognitive error in everyday life and sets out concrete practices to identify the bias and fight back against its influence.

Mark Lynas: How We Got it Wrong on GMOs

RNZ: Sunday Morning | 9 June 2018 | 0h 24m | Listen Later 
Interview with science writer Mark Lynas about his book “Seeds of Science.” Lynas used to be an anti-GMO activist but now thinks we got it wrong on genetically modified organisms and that our fear of GMOs is irrational.

Ray Dalio on Navigating Debt Crises

Masters in Business | 8 November 2018 | 0h 55m | Listen Later  | iTunes
Interview with Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund. Discusses the ideas in his book, “Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises,” which breaks down and systematises debt crises.

Ed Yong – I Contain Multitudes

The Monocle Weekly | 20 September 2017 | 0h 14m | Listen Later  | iTunes
Interview with Ed Yong, author of “I Contain Multitudes,” which nicely backgrounds the book and its ideas about the ecosystem of microorganisms that inhabit us and the world around.

Silicon Valley Values

Analysis | 12 June 2016 | 0h 28m | Listen Later  | iTunes
Explores the identity and values of Silicon Valley – and what they mean for the rest of us. Talks to entrepreneurs, investors, academics and activists about how those values are permeating the world and what to do when they clash with other priorities down on the ground.