On today’s “To the Contrary” Podcast, Justin Wolfers — a professor of economics at the University of Michigan and author of the “Platypus Economics” Substack — wonders: What’s the point of billionaires anyway?
In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss the price tag of Trump's Iran adventure; how crony capitalism is reshaping America; what social science is telling us about banning phones in schools; and whether anyone really needs to make more than $100 million a year.
Here’s his recent piece on the school phone ban: “What Really Happens When Schools Lock Away Phones?”
Subscribers can listen to an ad-free version right here… or you can watch on YouTube / Listen (and subscribe) on Apple/ Spotify / iHeart / RSS Feed
Happy Saturday.
Note: If you enjoy conversations like this one, or just want to hang around smart, sane people, please consider joining us. (And watch this space for an interesting upcoming announcement.)
Highlights of my conversation with Justin Wolfers
Do we really need billionaires?
How Big Tech wants to build walls to protect themselves from competition
When government picks the winners and losers
The Iran War is costing every family $10,000. Justin explains.
Saturday dogs
Listening to mom playing Beethoven always soothes the savage beasts.
