The Curious Task
Episodes
Bryce Tingle - How Are Regulations Damaging Markets?
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Bryce Tingle about corporations, how these unique legal entities are governed, how changes we have made to corporate governance has d...
Eric Merkley - What Motivates NIMBYs?
24 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Eric Merkley about NIMBYism, the surprising touchpoints for unity between left and right on the subject of housing, and how uncoverin...
Ben Klutsey - How Do We Rebuild Trust?
17 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Ben Klutsey about political polarization, commonalities between the United States and Canada, and his documentary on the subject en...
Rachael LaRose - What Happened To Our Relationships During The Pandemic?
10 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Rachael LaRose about the hidden costs of the pandemic, especially as they effected our commercial relationships, loose ties with indi...
Sam Bowman - Why Can't We Have Nice Things?
03 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Sam Bowman about the global housing crisis and why, in English-speaking countries in particular, a growing consensus across the polit...
Akshaya Kamalnath - Does Corporate Diversity Work?
27 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Akshaya Kamalnath about her work on Corporate Diversity, the social pressures and cultural trends that corporations are facing, as we...
Deirdre McCloskey - Why Does Liberalism Work?
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In May 2022, Alex spoke with Deirdre McCloskey in a wide-ranging conversation that addresses the economic, philosophical, and political reasons why li...
Alex Nowrasteh - What's Wrong With Nationalism?
13 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Alex Nowrasteh about nationalism as more of an innate tendency towards ethnic tribalism than anything resembling patriotism, and how ...
Oyebade Oyerinde - Has Federalism Hurt Nigeria?
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Oyebade Oyerinde about the state of federalism in Nigeria, and how western ideas of democracy, liberalism and centralization of power...
Jason Kuznicki - What Does Technology Have To Do With Gender?
28 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Jason Kuznicki about the present, past, and future influence of technology on gender and why he questions the uproar made about a c...
Marian Tupy - Are We Better Off Than Before?
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Marian Tupy about the notion that human progress has increased quality of life worldwide for centuries, making today the greatest tim...
Aeon Skoble - How Is Limiting Access to Information Harmful?
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Aeon Skoble about the harms of limiting access to information, including book bans and why a better understanding of ideas we disag...
Eric Schliesser - Is Post-Liberalism Already Here?
07 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Eric Schliesser about the growing declarations of the end of liberalism and what this means for the socio-political future in general...
Akiva Malamet and Mikayla Novak - How Do Markets Influence Gender?
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Akiva Malamet and Mikayla Novak about the effects of market forces on gender as a social construct, the unlikely pairing of free ma...
Ryan Thorpe - Is Journalism In Trouble?
24 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine Speaks with Ryan Thorpe about the state of Journalism in Canada and about how bills C-18, C-11 and government subsidies for journalism are comp...
Tyler Cowen - Who Is The Greatest Economist Of All Time?
17 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Tyler Cowen about his recent book "GOAT: Who is the Greatest Economist of all Time and Why Does it Matter?", as they discuss the case...
Matthew Mitchell and Peter Boettke - What Can We Learn From Estonia?
10 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Peter Boettke and Matthew Mitchell about their recent book co-authored with Konstantin Zhukov about the unusual rise of Estonia from ...
Nick Cowen - Is Public Ignorance A Problem?
03 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Nick Cowen about democracy, markets, and his forthcoming article "Include The Ignorant" Episode Notes: - Jason Brennan "Against Democ...
Mike Munger - Can Classical Liberalism Be Saved?
27 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Mike Munger about the state of classical liberalism in an era in which conservatism seems intent on wielding the tools of central pla...
Lauren Hall - Is Gender An Emergent Order?
20 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Lauren K Hall, who defends the notion that feminism is an emergent order, and speaks about her recent special edition of Cosmos+Tax...
Clara Piano - Does Greater Economic Freedom Lead To More Babies?
13 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Clara Piano about the relationship between economic freedom, fertility, and the roles that modernization and increasing well-being fo...
Sarah Skwire - Why Should Liberals Read Shakespeare?
06 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Sarah Skwire about the fascinating world of Shakespeare and why there are so many lessons we can learn from a pre-enlightenment pla...
David Friedman - What Is Anarcho-Capitalism?
29 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with David Friedman about defenses, definitions and critiques of Anarcho-Capitalism in David's work and in others'. Episode Notes: - Sum...
Iain Murray - What Has Happened to Conservatism?
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Iain Murray about the estrangement of conservative liberalism from identitarian forms of conservative nationalism and the intriguing ...
Brad Lips - Is The Liberty Movement In Trouble?
15 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Atlas Network's Brad Lips about what's in store for the liberty movement all over the world. Episode Notes: - The Atlas Network...
Mark Mercer - What’s Wrong With Universities?
08 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Mark Mercer about academic freedom, the changing mission of universities themselves, and what role faculty, administrators, and stude...
Cory Massimino - How Do We Abolish Prisons?
01 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Cory Massimino about the concept of prison abolition and how this position corresponds with natural rights theory and recent movement...
Seth Kaplan - Why Are Neighbourhoods Important?
25 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Matt speaks with Seth Kaplan about his book Fragile Neighborhoods, and why a decision as simple as where we choose to live can often make the differen...
Noah Schwartz - Does Canada Have A Gun Problem?
18 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In March of 2023, Alex spoke with Noah Schwartz about gun control in Canada and how recent attempts to review firearms policy have failed to address r...
Monica Guzman - How Can Curiosity Fix Polarization?
11 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In April of 2023, Alex speaks with Monica Guzman about the need for curiosity as a remedy for the increasing polarization in American discourse and he...
Kevin Vallier - Must Politics Be War?
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation from January 2020, Alex Aragona speaks with Kevin Vallier about conflicts in politics and how ideology aggravates them, and wheth...
Jayme Lemke - Who Was Elinor Ostrom?
27 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Jayme Lemke about the life, work, and legacy of American Nobel Prize-winning political economist Elinor Ostrom. References 1. “Elin...
Alex Aragona - 200th Episode Celebration
20 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine interviews our regular host Alex Aragona as they discuss the first 200 episodes of The Curious Task. References 1. Camden Hutchison’s episode...
Nathan Goodman - What Does Immigration Have To Do With Climate Change
13 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Nathan Goodman about the implications of Climate Change for immigration policy and how coercion and polycentricity factor into that c...
Paige MacPherson - What Does School Choice Look Like?
06 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In August of 2022, Alex spoke with Paige MacPherson about school choice - and the lack thereof - in each of Canada's provinces. References 1. Paige’...
Peter Jaworski - What Is Libertarianism?
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Aragona speaks with Peter Jaworski as he explores his definition of libertarianism, and how different kinds of morality can lead to certain concl...
Tony Gill - Why Do We Tip?
23 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Tony Gill about the curious practice of tipping and why despite all our groaning, it may just be a habit worth defending. Further Rea...
Kevin Vallier - What Are The New Religious Threats To Liberalism?
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Kevin Vallier about his new book "All The Kingdoms Of The World", in which he takes a global view of anti-liberal integralist strands...
Stefanie Haeffele - Can We Live Better Together?
09 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Stefanie Haeffele about her recent book Living Better Together, which explores the work of Elinor Ostrom and Viviana Zelizer. Episo...
Scott Scheall - How Are Carl and Karl Menger Important For Liberalism?
02 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Scott Scheall about Carl and Karl Menger and their influence on the history of economics, liberal theory, and - yes - mathematics. ...
Jason Lee Byas - How Should We Deal With Historic Injustice?
26 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Jason Lee Byas about the complexities of responding to questions of historic injustice, reparations, and compensation within a libe...
Nigel Ashford - Can We Change The World For Liberty?
19 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Nigel Ashford about the prospects for a freer world and how the memory of history, the hope of younger persons, and the teaching of i...
Jake Monaghan - Is Just Policing Possible?
12 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Jake Monaghan about ideal vs. ideal theory approaches to policing, the history and function of the police as an institution, and how ...
Trevor Burrus - What Is The Statrix?
05 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Trevour Burrus about his concept of the Statrix and why the solution to every problem should not be more government programs, interve...
Camden Hutchison - Why Restrict Freedom of Expression?
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Camden Hutchison about the nuances of freedom of expression laws in Canada and the United States, and the ways in which immature unde...
Pete Boettke - Is Hayek Still Relevant?
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Pete Boettke about the relevancy of Friedrich Hayek in the contemporary context, what it means to be a "Hayekian" and the curious tal...
Darwyyn Deyo - How Does Occupational Licensing Increase Barriers for Workers?
14 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Darwynn Deyo about the many ways in which occupational licensing can in fact reduce efficiency in the workforce, make it harder for p...
Fiona Harrigan - How Does Immigration Make Us Freer?
07 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Fiona Harrigan about the state of immigration in the United States and elsewhere, and the ways in which "outsiders" make "insiders" b...
James Harrigan - What’s Wrong With Utopias?
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What's the harm in dreaming big? Significant, James Harrigan believes. Alex and James discuss the many ways in which Utopian theory has led to disaste...
Daniel Weinstock - Should Adolescents Vote?
24 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Daniel Weinstock makes the case for lowering the voting age and extending the right to vote to teens who have much more in common with the general vot...
Jacob Levy - Is Liberalism Neutral?
17 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Professor Jacob Levy about the concept of neutrality within the history of liberalism and how many historical thinkers have approache...
Aurelian Craiutu - Why Not Moderation?
10 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Aurelian Craiutu about the importance of moderation when it comes to virtue, political discourse, and the balancing of extremes in a ...
Jason Kuznicki - Why Is It So Hard To Think About Freedom?
03 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Jason Kuznicki about the societal tendency towards stagnation - and away from liberalism - and its roots in some of the earliest huma...
Monica Guzman - How Can Curiosity Fix Polarization?
26 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Monica Guzman about the need for curiosity as a remedy for the increasing polarization in American discourse and her recent book on t...
Nolan Gray - Do We Need Zoning?
19 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex and Nolan discuss a novel solution to many of the difficult issues surrounding housing in North America: the elimination of zoning laws. Further ...
Mike Munger - What Is The Difference Between Directionalism and Destinationism?
12 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex and Mike Munger discuss two strains of thought within the liberty movement - one concerned with philosophical purity and cohesion, the other with...
Dennis Rasmussen - Who Wrote The American Constitution?
05 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex and Dennis discuss the very colorful character who, unbeknownst to many, wrote the American Constitution. Episode Notes: Dennis' book "The Cons...
Sabine El-Chidiac - How Is Classical Liberalism Doing In Canada?
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex and Sabine speak about the state of classical liberalism in terms of individual rights and economic freedom in Canada today. Works referenced: Ha...
Noah Schwartz - Does Canada Have A Gun Problem?
22 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Noah Schwartz about gun control in Canada and how recent attempts to review firearms policy have failed to address root issues and th...
Liya Palagashvili - What Is The State Of The Gig Economy?
15 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Liya Palagashvili about the state - and the meaning - of the gig economy and how history can show the not-so-novel nature of modern l...
Jay Goldberg - Does Canada Have A Censorship Problem?
08 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Jay Goldberg about Canada's Bill C-11 and the implications of the government's attempt to change what Canadians see on the internet. ...
Bryan Caplan — What’s a University Degree Worth?
01 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the university school year begins to wrap up, we're bringing back a classic episode of the Curious Task! Alex Aragona speaks with Bryan Caplan abou...
Neil Boyd - Does Drug Decriminalization Work?
22 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Neil Boyd about the effects of drug decriminalization and legalization in Canada and around the world, and how regulation and crimina...
Vincent Geloso - What Effects Income Mobility?
15 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Vincent Geloso about income mobility, distinguishing it from income inequality and the effects of markets and government regulations ...
David D’Amato - Should Intellectual Property Be Part Of A Free Society?
08 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with David D'Amato about the modern concept of intellectual property and how such a thing could exist at all in a free society. Referenc...
Jeremy Horpedahl - Why Do Baptists Need Bootleggers?
01 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Jeremy Horpedahl about the unusual political alliance between Baptists and Bootleggers - both figuratively and literally - and what t...
Scott Beyer - What Does Urbanism Look Like Around The World?
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Scott Beyer about the insights he's gleaned from travelling the world in search of the most market-friendly urban centers and what ot...
Brandon Turner - What Is Conservatism?
18 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Brandon Turner about the nature of conservatism and whether or not it constitutes an ideology, the rate of change within conservative...
Rachel Lomasky - Can A.I. Be Ethical?
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Rachel Lomasky about hot-button issues surrounding machine learning and artificial intelligence and the limitations and definitions o...
Geoff Sigalet - What Is The Alberta Sovereignty Act?
04 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Geoff Sigalet about Western Alienation and the events that led to the Alberta Sovereignty Act becoming law in Canada in December of 2...
Russ Roberts — How Can Adam Smith Change Your Life?
28 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As you think about your New Year's resolutions, take another listen to Alex's conversation from May 2020 with Russ Roberts as he talks about the ways ...
2022 Holiday Wrap-up Episode
21 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex, Sabine and Matt reflect on the year that was 2022. References 1. Christy Horpedahl’s episode “How Can Books Advance Liberal Society” of Th...
Lauren Hall — What’s Wrong With Modern Healthcare?
14 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In their conversation from December 2019, Alex Aragona talks with Lauren Hall as she explores the problems with modern healthcare systems and some of ...
Matt Bufton - How Do We Feel About The Monarchy?
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Matt Bufton about Canada's unique approach to power, monarchy, and government and how happy accidents have led to one of the best-gov...
Peter Jaworski - What Is The Ought-State Gap?
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with frequent guest Peter Jaworski about the gap between a moral obligation and the expectation that some specific institution ought to be...
Christy Horpedahl - How Can Books Advance Liberal Society?
23 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Christy Horpedahl about the entrepreneurial spirit that imbues Penelope Fitzgerald's "The Bookshop".
Alex Aragona - What Is Classical Liberalism (According To Our Host)?
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with the host of the Curious Task Alex Aragona to find out more about him, especially what he considers classical liberalism to be in it...
Jayme Lemke - Who Was Elinor Ostrom?
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Jayme Lemke about the life, work, and legacy of American Nobel Prize-winning political economist Elinor Ostrom. References 1. “El...
Thomas Bunting - What Can Baseball Tell Us About Politics?
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Thomas Bunting about politics, democracy, social progress and more as they relate to baseball and athletics more broadly.
Edward Slingerland - How Has Alcohol Influenced Civilization?
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Edward Slingerland about the dance that most civilizations have done with alcohol and the delicate balance between worshipping its cr...
Scott Scheall - Why Is Spontaneity Important For Liberalism?
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Scott Scheall about the importance of spontaneity for liberalism.
Claudia Williamson - Does Culture Effect Economic Progress?
12 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Claudia Williamson about what economists mean by culture and how individualism and other elements of culture can effect the economic ...
Rosemarie Fike - How Does Inequality Effect Women’s Wellbeing?
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Rosemarie Fike about the relationship between women's rights and economic freedom and the disparities that persist in contemporary ...
John Wood Jr. - Can’t We All Just Get Along?
28 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with John Wood Jr. about political polarization in America and its effects on democracy, civil rights and activism today.
Brent Orrell - How Can We Flourish At Work?
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Brent Orrell about the current challenges facing the workforce and labour market in America and abroad today.
Rachel Davison Humphries - What Is Education For A Free Society?
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Rachel Davison Humphries about various schools of thought in the study of education and how they may offer alternatives to learning...
Sarah Skwire - Can Literature Influence Liberalism?
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine speaks with Sarah Skwire about the role of liberalism in literature and ways in which all forms of literature can influence our ideas about mar...
Paige MacPherson - What Does School Choice Look Like?
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Paige MacPherson about school choice - and the lack thereof - in each of Canada's provinces today. References 1. Paige’s articles...
Emily Chamlee-Wright - Why Work To Advance Liberalism?
24 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Emily Chamlee-Wright about what exactly liberalism is and why it is worth defending in a world that can no longer take it for granted...
Chris Freiman - Why Not Anarchism?
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Chris Freiman about ideal theory and the case for no state being the best state in a perfect world.
Lauren Hall - How Do Libertarians Approach The Family?
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Lauren Hall about the unique approach that libertarians and classical liberals take when it comes to questions of consent, rights, an...
Moin Yahya - What Is Inflation Really?
03 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Moin Yahya about debates both new and old surrounding the causes and history of inflation.
Jen Dirmeyer - What Do Markets Do For Us?
27 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Aragona speaks with Jen Dirmeyer as she explores what markets do for us and the different ways they impact our lives. References 1. “The Use of...
Graeme Thompson - What Is Canadian Liberalism?
20 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Aragona speaks with Graeme Thompson about the classical liberal tradition in Canada, and what the evolution of that tradition has looked like. ...
Peter Jaworski — What Is Libertarianism?
13 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Aragona speaks with Peter Jaworski as he explores his definition of libertarianism, and how different kinds of morality can lead to certain concl...
Janet Bufton - Are Libertarians Liberals?
06 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Aragona speaks with Janet Bufton as she explores where and how the tenets of classical liberalism come into play for those who call themselves li...
Jacob Levy — What Is Academic Freedom?
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As we shift into our break, our first special episode is one of our recent favourites, Alex's chat with McGill University professor Jacob Levy about h...
Eric Mack - Why Read Anarchy, State and Utopia? (Part Two)
22 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks again with philosopher Eric Mack about "Anarchy, State and Utopia", this time touching on some of the challenges to Nozick's theory and Er...
Eric Mack - Why Read Anarchy, State and Utopia?
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Philosopher Eric Mack about Robert Nozick's "Anarchy State and Utopia" and how the book shaped the conversation around natural rights...
Abigail Hall - How Does Government Propaganda Manufacture Militarism?
08 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Alex speaks with Abigail Hall about propaganda - an elusive and at times far-reaching concept that can be found everywhere: from overt wartime speeche...