This podcast episode explores the multifaceted interests and career trajectory of Sir Angus Deaton, a Nobel Prize-winning economist. Deaton's research spans various topics such as consumption, poverty, welfare, wealth, health inequality, and data interpretation for public policy. The episode delves into his accidental journey into economics, the influence of the United States on his career, the issue of political correctness in American universities, the healthcare system in the United States, the concept of inequality, the impact of immigration, education inequality, the high cost of healthcare, and the limitations of traditional economics. The speakers also discuss the potential negative consequences of high inequality, the importance of addressing issues of public policy, the role of economists in broadening their perspective, and the power of mentorship and literature. Deaton's Nobel Prize win and a memorable encounter with President Obama are also highlighted.
