Naomi Oreskes: Free Market Economics

Naomi is a Harvard University professor of the history of science, and an Affiliated Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences. She’s a leading voice on the role of science in society, the reality of anthropogenic climate change, and the role of disinformation in blocking climate action.

She’s also a world-renowned author, having co-authored 9 books, including the best-selling book Merchants of Doubt, Climate change denial, and her most recent book, the Big Myth, which explores the idea of free market economics, and its dark and politically laden history.

In this conversation Naomi and Matt discuss:

The relationships between science, economics, and politics

The idea of the free market, and common misconceptions about free market economics

Arguments for and against a free market way of thinking

The incentives systems that influence how ideas spread in a society

Meme theory

Propaganda

... and other topics

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Chapters:

0:00:00 Intro

0:03:15 Myth of the Free Market

0:08:55 Adam Smith vs regulation

0:28:40 Bad incentives vs bad actors

0:34:25 Arguments for and against regulation

0:44:10 Are free markets more fair?

0:53:00 Distrust in government as a cause of free market thinking

0:57:50 Meme theory of free market thinking

1:01:00 Ayn Rand & propaganda

1:09:00 Advice for people in positions of power

1:14:20 The Entrepreneurial State

1:16:50 Book recommendations

1:18:00 Advice for scientists

1:18:00 Who should represent humanity to an AI superintelligence?