Featured image: a cargo ship, ferrying a pile of our everyday goods across the Pacific Ocean. Increases in ship traffic attracted the attention of Eric Stone, photographer.
This week, Yann Koby of Princeton’s Department of Economics comes on the air, focusing on the economics of the US manufacturing sector. We examine economic modeling and prediction, especially concerning the flow of jobs in and out of the US due to trade with other countries. How do trade policies between large nations affect the structure of our economy? How does job availability in the US affect politics? Specifically, Yann theorized about the recent election: Trump bet his candidacy on the connection between globalization and jobs. Was he right that increased trade put Americans out of work? What effects on the US and world economy might we expect out of the upcoming administration? Listen in to the interview (starting an hour in to the recording) to find out!
Later in the show, regular guest Ingrid Ockert reviews a lecture series by Naomi Oreskes on scientists as Merchants of Doubt. When have scientists peddled misinformation, and when should we trust them?
Other relevant info and background:
- Yann Koby maintains a blog, visible here (some articles are in English!).
- Solar panels have broken even, making as much energy as it’s cost to produce them for decades.
- We’ve long theorized about dark matter, but have never seen it. Some suspect it might not exist at all – hear Stevie’s careful analysis in the show.
- Genetic engineering is making plants grow faster – demonstrated in tobacco but useful for fighting worldwide hunger.
The full playlist is online at WPRB.com or below.
These Vibes Are Too Cosmic 