Book · 2019 · Science
The Hidden Half
How the World Conceals its Secrets
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He is the author of the hidden half the unseen factors that influence everything michael welcome to econ talk.
Why people recommend it
Michael Blastland's engaging book investigates the unseen statistical and probabilistic factors that frequently disrupt human planning and economic forecasts. On EconTalk, Russ Roberts explored the themes of the book during an interview with the author, highlighting its entertaining narrative and profound implications. Roberts noted that the text successfully exposes the deep limitations of aggregate metrics like GDP when applied to individual human welfare, citing an example from the book where a European Union defender attempts to persuade working-class citizens using aggregate figures. Furthermore, Roberts praised the author's ability to weave complex intellectual history into the narrative, explicitly referencing Friedrich Hayek's Nobel Prize-winning speech on the pretense of knowledge. Throughout the episode, both host and guest celebrated the magnitude of hidden variables in everyday life, praising the book as a brilliantly entertaining and thought-provoking read that challenges conventional wisdom across economics, science, and public policy.
Every mention
Russ Roberts he is the author of the hidden half the unseen factors that influence everything michael welcome to econ talk 5
“Yeah, I I saw recently in uh Michael Blastland's book uh The Hidden Half, I think he tells this that where I saw this, the the defender of of uh European Union explaining to the uh British working class woman that that uh GDP is going to go up if we stay in the EU”
“he is the author of the hidden half the unseen factors that influence everything michael welcome to econ talk”
“now your book starts with a rather startling beginning and let's talk about crayfish you wouldn't think that crayfish would be very interesting”
“i think about hayek's uh nobel prize uh speech the pretense of knowledge which you reference i think in the book”
“the reason your book's interesting is besides the way you talk about it it's a fantastically entertaining read but the reason it's interesting is the magnitude of it”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“my guest today has been michael blastland his book is the hidden half michael thanks for being part of econ talk”