Episode · EconTalk · 2022-08-08
Books mentioned on Russ Roberts and Mike Munger on Wild Problems
Waze and Google Maps tell us the best way to get to where we're going. But no app or algorithm can tell us whether we should head there in the first place.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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Wild Problems
Wild Problems is a guide by Russ Roberts that explores difficult life decisions which cannot be resolved through standard cost-benefit analysis.
Discussed“The book that you have that's coming out is called Wild Problems.”
Where to get it
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Notes from Underground
Notes from Underground by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a foundational existential novella that explores the complex, often contradictory nature of human psychology and the rejection of utopian rationalism.
Discussed“But Fyodor Dostoevsky in Notes from the Underground uh talks about a person who is literally paralyzed by the fact that he is aware of just how inadequate he is.”
Where to get it
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Transformative Experience
Transformative Experience by L.A.
Discussed“And L. A. Paul, uh her book Transformative Experiences, where we talked about the vampire problem, which is about the challenge that once you make a decision often you enter a state that's radically different.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (4) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
Own book Wild Problems
“That book is Wild Problems, A Guide to the Decisions That Define Us.”
Own book Wild Problems
“The What the book is about is um what I call the decisions in life where data are not helpful.”
Own book Wild Problems
“So, if that isn't you, don't buy this book.”
Own book Wild Problems
“And soon there'll be nothing left for readers to I mean, listeners to bother reading the book cuz we've covered almost everything interesting in the book.”