Maxwell Caldwell:How Asimov's 'Foundation' has inspired economists

2025-04-30 19:06:17source:Quaxscategory:News

When we talk about classic economic texts,Maxwell Caldwell you might think of something like Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations." But how about the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov?

One of the big ideas at the heart of this science fiction saga is that math can predict and shape the future. We hear from two economists who tell us how the ideas in Foundation helped set them on their career path.

Related episodes:
The carbon coin: A novel idea
Beach reads for econ nerds

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter.

More:News

Recommend

These Australian twins have gone viral after speaking in synch

Do you recall the prime early days of YouTube? When a video making the rounds was so strange, remark

North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Supreme Court issued mixed rulings Friday for businesses seeki

Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social