Faith and Economics

By the time you listen to this, Californians will have either enacted or defeated the proposed one-time wealth tax at the ballot box.  But either way, the damage is already done.A report out of the National Bureau of Economic Research indicates that the present value of the tax to the state budget is negative.  This means that the tax increase will reduce, not increase, the budget.  How is this possible, and what does this mean?  Can we learn anything from this?  Will we?Listen in to find out!

Peter leads a discussion about the likelihood of AI taking all the jobs.  Justin argues this scenario is not just unlikely, but impossible.  Russ remains eternally optimistic.Join us for another discussion about our future in the age of AI.

Resuming their discussion of Kierkegaard, Justin and Russ discuss what Kierkegaard has to say about a quintessentially modern phenomenon: despair!Depression, anxiety, and other psychological ailments seem to be on the rise: can Kierkegaard help us understand why?  Tune in for another discussion centered around the melancholy Dane!

Data centers are a hot topic right now, and for good reason: the costs and benefits are complicated. As one panelist put it, what's true for one city may not apply to another.This episode is a recording of a panel discussion that Russ moderated.  Dr. Paul Byrne, an economist, and Josh Svaty, a data center consultant, were the panelists.  Audience Q&A is at the end and wrapped up an engaging conversation about the costs, benefits of data center development in our communities.One takeaway: The property tax benefit to Ottawa, KS households is significant.  Listen in for all the details.

Winner of Nobel Prize in Economics, Friedrich von Hayek is one of the 20th century’s greatest intellectuals.  His work is widely cited by libertarians, conservatives, and classical liberals, all of whom claim him as a major influence.So, what did Hayek have to say, and why is he still relevant?  Tune in to find out!

Justin leads a discussion centered on one of his favorite philosophers, the 19th Century’s Great Dane, Soren Kierkegaard.Kierkegaard is a difficult, perceptive, and prescient philosopher whose popularity has steadily been on the rise, and whose insights inform many contemporary debates across many disciplines.  Find out what all the fuss is about!

Peter leads a discussion centered on the upcoming midterm elections here in the US of A.  Is there a blue wave incoming?  A red one?  Why?Join in for an informative discussion about political coalitions and disappointment.

What does Costco have to tell us about America?The Gwartney Institute's leading Costco Fanboy, Justin, leads a discussion about all things Costco.  The episode includes some mind-boggling information about all the ways Costco benefits Americans who don't even shop there (even though he thinks they should).So, scrounge up six quarters, get yourself a hot dog and a soft drink, and settle in for a discussion of the wonders of American capitalism as seen through America's best retailer: Costco Wholesale.

Peter leads a discussion about a recent fiasco involving AI agents acting autonomously and in concert to fulfill their own goals.Is artificial intelligence coming for us all next, or is this just more hysteria about new technology?  Tune in to find out!

Justin and Russ discuss an article titled '10 Things Classy People Never Do', which of course implicates them both.  Are you, like Justin and Russ, inadvertently advertising your low class to those around you?  Join in for a fun discussion and learn how to pass as someone with class (especially if you aren't!).