Private vs. Public Risk-Taking
Oct 3 2006

Munger.jpg Mike Munger and EconTalk's Russ Roberts discuss the differences between public and private risk-taking. Their conversation includes the history of Honda, the Apple computer and even the use of turkey carcasses as an energy source. They also try to understand why the public is skeptical of good new ideas but often embraces bad new ideas.

Addendum: Check out a follow-up question addressed in the Mailbag (Time Mark 54:01)
LISTEN NOW:

3

DOWNLOAD
RELATED EPISODE
Hansen on Risk, Ambiguity, and Measurement
Lars Peter Hansen of the University of Chicago and Nobel Laureate in economics, talks to EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the power and limits of economic models and quantitative methods. Hanson defends the value of models while recognizing their limitations....
EXPLORE MORE
Related EPISODE
Michael Munger on Permissionless Innovation
Michael Munger of Duke University talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about permissionless innovation. Munger argues that the ability to innovate without permission is the most important concept of political economy. Munger defends this claim and explores the metaphor of...
EXPLORE MORE
Browse our archive of 800+ episodes containing over ten years of podcasts
Explore audio transcript, further reading that will help you delve deeper into this week’s episode, and vigorous conversations in the form of our comments section below.
Econtalk Extra
READ THIS ARTICLE »

Munger on Private and Public Rent-Seeking (and Chilean Buses)

Mike Munger of Duke University talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about private and public rent-seeking. When firms compete for either private profit opportunities or government contracts, there are inevitably firms or people who spend resources but end up earning...

RELATED CONTENT:
EXPLORE MORE »

Don Boudreaux on Public Choice

Don Boudreaux of George Mason University talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about public choice: the application of economics to the political process. Boudreaux argues that political competition is a blunt instrument that works less effectively than economic competition. One...

READER COMMENTS

Lars Smith
Oct 6 2006 at 2:42am

Great interview, but I wish Russ Roberts would give his very interesting interviewees a chance to get words in sideways, once in a while.

Lauren
Oct 6 2006 at 6:41am

Hi, Lars. I see you are from France! Welcome to EconTalk!

The format on EconTalk is intended to be more conversational than a typical one-sided radio interview. The idea is to bring the listener one step closer to what an actual economics discussion over lunch between Russ and his guests would be like. It’s a cross between an interview and the give-and-take that happens when colleagues get together.

Unlike most radio interviewers, Russ is a professor in the same field as the featured speakers–economics. He has coffee and lunch often with many of his guests.

Your comment is welcome! Perhaps the weights given to interview vs. conversation are worth reconsideration. We’ve received votes in email and comments on both sides. We welcome further discussion.

Chuck
Oct 11 2006 at 5:32pm

I agree with you Lauren…Russ makes Econ Talk what it is, he should not be censored!

Russ, keep up the great work. I absolutely love listening to your interviews.

Comments are closed.


DELVE DEEPER