About that Keynes/Hayek rap video
Remember this clever video on Keynes and Hayek’s theories? Look at the actors in it:
And look at the actual men, when they were young. Here’s Keynes:
And here’s Hayek:
Pretty good likenesses, no?
The New Neo
A blog about political change, among other things
My first time seeing the vid–what a fine job they did on so many levels! Thanks for posting that.
As others have pointed out, the only “problem” with the video is that it depicts Friedrich A. Hayek as shy and retiring, politely waiting for the ultra-confident Keynes to say his peace before offering his. In reality, when introducing himself, Hayek liked to say “Hi-eck, as in ‘high explosives.'” He was every bit Keynes’ equal in the confidence department, and frankly his superior in writing. Where Keynes Went Wrong: And Why World Governments Keep Creating Inflation, Bubbles, and Busts is a badly-needed corrective to Keynesian madness in these difficult times that are the result of some 70+ years of conscious Keynesianism, and a considerably longer time of unwitting Keynesianism.
Paul Snively: actually, I read the video very differently. I saw Hayek as waiting almost condescendingly for Keynes to finish, knowing that he (Hayek) would be able to mount a more compelling argument. I saw him as very confident, although a little edgy and wired.
Sanity Inspector: very funny, too. I never saw that before.
Neo: I think that’s a good point: once they actually start rapping, I do think Hayek’s demeanor changes. I guess I was thinking mostly of how his character was portrayed in the introduction at the front desk.
For me, the most priceless moment is when he opens the drawer in his room, and instead of a Gideons Bible, there’s a copy of Keynes’ General Theory. Hysterical!
My impression of the actors’ portrayals is that they reflected public recognition and perception of the respective theories. Keynes is popular, every macro student learns his theories. It’s built into our educational system. He also has the advantage of a simple equation and simple explanation.
Hayek’s theories are muddier, harder to grasp. When put up against that Keynesian justification for government manipulation of markets, Hayek’s theories lose the popularity contest with those in politics.
Hayek struck me as being a bit peeved– might be because that’s kind of my response when I lay out a logical, lovely bit of reason, get “countered” by a not-especially-good joke, and folks only pay attention to the joke.
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