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Conversations with Tyler · January 8, 2025 · 70m
Scott Sumner on Monetary Rules, Blooming Late, and the Death of Cinema (Ep. 231)
Scott Sumner on monetary policy, blooming late intellectually, and the art of cinema. Sumner didn't become influential until his 50s — when his blog made NGDP targeting a serious policy idea. A conversation about patience, influence, and aesthetic taste.
Canon
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Sumner: his own biography proves that intellectual contribution doesn't follow a fixed timeline. He was obscure until 54, then his blog made him one of the most influential monetary economists alive.
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Sumner: academic recognition follows the hedonic treadmill perfectly. Tenure doesn't satisfy; journal publications don't satisfy; even policy influence doesn't satisfy. What satisfies is the work itself.