Fear the Boom and Bust

Last updated
Fear the Boom and Bust
Produced byJohn Papola
CinematographyBilly Scafuri, Adam Lustick
Release date
  • January 23, 2010 (2010-01-23)
Running time
7:33

Fear the Boom and Bust is a 2010 hip hop music video in which 20th century economists John Maynard Keynes and Friedrich von Hayek (played by Billy Scafuri and Adam Lustick, respectively) take part in a rap battle discussing economics, specifically, the boom and bust business cycle, for which the video is named. The video has more than seven million views on YouTube.

Contents

Overview

John Maynard Keynes Keynes 1933.jpg
John Maynard Keynes
Friedrich von Hayek Friedrich Hayek portrait.jpg
Friedrich von Hayek

The video was created by former Spike TV creative director and co-founder of the production company Emergent Order, John Papola, and economist Russ Roberts [1] of the George Mason University Mercatus Center. [2] Billy Scafuri and Adam Lustick, who are comedians with the Harvard Sailing Team [3] and Upright Citizens Brigade, [4] play Keynes and Hayek respectively.

Sequel

In April 2011, a follow-up music video called Fight of the Century: Keynes vs. Hayek Round Two was released. This video examines the two economists' responses to the Great Recession. The central question in the video is whether a successful economy results from a "more bottom up" (i.e. totally free market) or "more top down" (i.e. Economic interventionism) approach.

See also

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References

  1. Kenney, Caitlin (January 25, 2010). "Watch: 'Fear The Boom And Bust'". NPR Planet Money. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  2. "'Fear the Boom and Bust' a Hayek vs. Keynes Rap Anthem". Mercatus Center. January 27, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  3. "Billy and Adam" . Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  4. Perman, Cindy (February 12, 2010). "'Fear the Boom and Bust': A Rap Anthem for the Economy". There Must Be a Pony in Here Somewhere: The Lighter Side of The Economic Crises. CNBC.com. Retrieved December 29, 2012.