Kyla Scanlon

I've mentioned her a couple of times in passing, but may well continue to do so more with the passing of time. Scanlon is certainly one of the most interesting young economists out there, indeed she may be one of the most interesting thinkers.

I listened to her book In This Economy? in the car, then bought a hard copy so I could have it on my shelf for reference purposes. When she got to the end and thanked her professors from Western Kentucky University for giving her the chance to explore and think as a student there, I cried. It was so perfectly graceful of her to do so and it also demonstrates the promise of the American model of having lots of universities providing liberal educations to lots of people. The fundamental optimism and generosity of spirit of the whole thing. No, the return on investment of the grand project is not always immediately apparent, but in that moment it shone through perfectly.

I don't agree with her on everything. I think her much-ballyhooed concept of "vibecession" doesn't really account adequately for feedback loops from the nastiness of discourse supported by the algorithms. I can't always consume her videos. They jumpcut too much for someone my age.

But I just listened to her in conversation with Ezra Klein on his podcast. She is very thoughtful, wise beyond her years. I will keep diving into her universe of content. When Klein asked her at the end for book recommendations and she recommended a couple by CS Lewis, most notably the The Screwtape Letters and then, as a coda, Jonathan Livingston Seagull of all things (I've never read it but remember it sitting around on shelves in the 70s and have never been inclined to read it) I was intrigued. 

I will keep going.