Leonard Hohenberg|How Asimov's 'Foundation' has inspired economists

2025-05-05 21:29:29source:Sterling Prestoncategory:Finance

When we talk about classic economic texts,Leonard Hohenberg 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:Finance

Recommend

A South Texas lawmaker’s 15

MCALLEN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Legislature can be full of surprises.But for the last eight sessions

Lack of citizenship documents might keep many from voting in Arizona state and local races

PHOENIX (AP) — Nearly 100,000 voters who haven’t submitted citizenship documents might be prevented

Proof You're Probably Saying Olympian Ilona Maher's Name Wrong

You may just get a kick out of this fun fact.ICYMI, Ilona Maher cha cha’d her way onto the ballroom