There seems to be a general aversion to the study of economics in the undergraduate world.
After taking Algebra three times, I completely understand. Math is not my friend. Then, there is the entirely foreign vocabulary. Sub-prime lending, hedge funds, and shell companies? If you don’t own a home or invest in stocks and bonds, the language can be cumbersome and intimidating!
The underlying concepts, however, are fundamental to our daily lives, and can be captivating. Thankfully, there is a group of journalists that is dedicated to bridging the gap between the incomprehensible and the obvious.
NPR’s Planet Money podcast promises their audience a healthy dose of economics in plain English. They bring compelling arguments surrounding our modern economy to the surface by asking deceptively simple questions like “Where do dollars come from?” or “Why did bankers destroy the world?.”
In each brief podcast, a small team of curious and educated individuals breaks it down. “Why did bankers destroy the world? It’s complicated but here goes…” I won’t ruin it for you, but it’s systemic. Shocker.
As a convert, I have to urge you – take a look! I no longer fear economics, and even math has become a bit more potable. They’re 10 minutes long; it’s not a big commitment. You might even laugh out loud.
Kait Vosswinkel 