Regarding the ever decreasing cost of college textbooks: “All I want is for people to learn things.” —Steven Landsburg Steven Landsburg #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

While Professor Landsburg has not revised this experiment it is still fun to read about how he stumped ChatGPT with his exam questions in 2023 thebigquestions.com/2023/04/04/cha… Steven Landsburg #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

We discussed Milton Friedman’s position on medical licensing in segment four: Friedman's position, as detailed in his 1962 book Capitalism and Freedom and in later discussions, was that medical licensing created a monopoly that restricted the supply of doctors and drove up costs.

“Can You Outsmart An Economist?: 100+ Puzzles to Train Your Brain” by Steven E. Landsburg amazon.com/Can-Outsmart-E… Steven Landsburg #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

More Sex is Safer Sex and Other Surprises, Professor Steven E. Landsburg youtube.com/watch?v=McxP8l… Steven Landsburg #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

A big THANK YOU to Professor Steven Landsburg for joining us today! Folks, he’s got a LOT of work out there. Start with his site at this link: thebigquestions.com Steven Landsburg #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

For today’s show, check out this book: Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion Paul Bloom amazon.com/Against-Empath… #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

Also, Kevin Williamson’s article in National Review, “Against Empathy” nationalreview.com/magazine/2012/… #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

“Empathy and Compassion” by Tania Singer and Olga M. Klimecki sciencedirect.com/science/articl… #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

Here is the American Heritage Dictionary definition of empathy ahdictionary.com/word/search.ht… #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

So how does empathy relate to business? Paul Bloom, author or Against Empathy, suggests that empathy leads to more kindness. However, if you made a sadist more empathetic, it would just lead to a happier sadist. #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

“People who literally experience others’ feelings are either characters in novels or nuts. Empathy is either an affectation, a literary device, or a delusion. Political empathy usually is an affectation, a pose assumed to mask nakedly political ends.” —Kevin Williamson in the

Today I learned that Counselor Deanna Troi in Star Trek: The Next Generation is a half-human, half-Betazoid empath who can sense the emotions of others. Her empathic abilities were a key part of her role as the ship's counselor. #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

Also from Kevin’s article: “Empathy, or the imitation of empathy, entirely negates the need for argument in a great many circumstances.” #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

Paul Bloom, the author of Against Empathy, was on Russ Robert’s podcast a few years ago. econtalk.org/paul-bloom-on-… #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

“Or consider why economics is sometimes called “the dismal science.” It’s a derogatory description thought up by Thomas Carlyle in the 1800s, coined to draw a contrast with the “gay science” of music and poetry: “Not a ‘gay science,’ I should say, like some we have heard of; no,

“Who would be more useful to an unemployed man: a man who knows what it is like to be unemployed, through long personal experience, or a man who never has been unemployed, because he built a business and employed himself? The main problems of the poor and unemployed do not

Here is the other side of the empathy argument that we discussed on the show today: “Is empathy a sin? Some conservative Christians argue it can be” pressdemocrat.com/2025/08/21/is-… #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

“The fundamental weakness of Western civilization is empathy, the empathy exploit.” —Elon Musk (source: cnn.com/2025/03/05/pol…) #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless

As we wrap up the show today, Ed has a truly profound thought to share: Be compassionate. Be caring. Be kind. Absolutely. Without exception. #AskTSOE Ron Baker edkless