Births on January 21

Tyler Cowen, American economist and academic

Tyler Cowen, born on January 21, 1962, stands as a prominent American economist, an insightful columnist, and a prolific blogger whose work significantly shapes contemporary economic discourse. His intellectual contributions extend across various platforms, making complex economic ideas accessible and engaging for a wide audience.

Academic and Research Foundations

At the core of his academic pursuits, Cowen serves as a distinguished professor within the economics department at George Mason University. Here, he holds the prestigious Holbert L. Harris chair, a position that underscores his significant standing in the field. George Mason University is particularly renowned for its vibrant intellectual environment, often associated with the Northern Virginia School of Political Economy, which emphasizes free-market principles, public choice theory, and Austrian economics. This academic base provides a fertile ground for Cowen's market-oriented research and analysis.

Beyond his teaching, Cowen is the General Director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. This university research center is a leading institution dedicated to bridging the gap between academic research and public policy, focusing on how markets can solve societal problems and improve human well-being. Under his leadership, the Mercatus Center explores and promotes the understanding of the market economy, fostering research that informs policymakers and the public on the benefits of free enterprise and limited government intervention.

Digital Influence and Media Presence

Cowen’s influence is profoundly amplified through his digital platforms. He co-authors and hosts the highly influential economics blog, Marginal Revolution, alongside fellow economist Alex Tabarrok. Launched in 2003, Marginal Revolution has become one of the most widely read economics blogs globally, offering daily insights, commentary, and links to a diverse array of topics spanning economics, culture, politics, and technology, all viewed through a unique economic lens. The blog is celebrated for its eclectic mix of content and its ability to quickly identify and comment on emerging trends and research.

Extending their commitment to accessible education, Cowen and Tabarrok also oversee Marginal Revolution University (MRU), an innovative venture in online education. MRU provides free, high-quality economics courses and educational videos designed to make economic principles understandable and engaging for students and lifelong learners worldwide. This initiative reflects their dedication to broadening economic literacy beyond traditional academic settings.

As a seasoned columnist, Cowen contributes extensively to major publications. He notably penned the "Economic Scene" column for The New York Times, where he explored economic issues with a broad public readership. Since July 2016, he has been a regular opinion columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, providing his distinctive perspective on global economic trends, policy, and market dynamics. His writings have also graced the pages of esteemed journals and newspapers such as The New Republic, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Newsweek, and the Wilson Quarterly, demonstrating the breadth of his reach and the diverse intellectual platforms he engages with.

Further expanding his media footprint, Cowen has hosted the popular podcast Conversations with Tyler since 2015. This podcast features in-depth, long-form interviews with a diverse array of leading thinkers, academics, artists, and innovators from various fields, delving into their ideas, careers, and the intellectual landscape. The podcast is renowned for its intellectual curiosity, probing questions, and the wide-ranging expertise of its guests, often exploring topics that transcend conventional economic boundaries.

Catalyst for Innovation: Emergent Ventures

In September 2018, Cowen, in collaboration with his team at George Mason University, launched Emergent Ventures. This unique grant and fellowship program is specifically designed to identify and support individuals with "moon-shot" ideas—bold, unconventional, and potentially transformative projects that might not find traditional funding. Emergent Ventures aims to foster innovation across various disciplines by providing financial support and mentorship to exceptional talents pursuing high-risk, high-reward endeavors, embodying Cowen's belief in encouraging novel approaches to complex challenges.

Accolades and Recognition

Tyler Cowen’s profound influence in economic thought and public discourse has earned him significant accolades. In 2011, Foreign Policy Magazine recognized his unique analytical approach by ranking him number 72 among its "Top 100 Global Thinkers." This distinction particularly highlighted his characteristic ability to "find markets in everything," a testament to his expansive application of economic principles to a wide array of human activities, from art and culture to social interactions and daily life. His books, such as "An Economist Explores the Dark Side of the Force" and "Average Is Over," exemplify this broad intellectual curiosity, applying economic frameworks to unconventional subjects.

Further solidifying his standing among his peers, a 2011 poll of experts conducted by The Economist included Cowen among the top 36 nominations for "which economists were most influential over the past decade." This recognition by leading economists underscores his significant impact on contemporary economic thinking and his role in shaping the trajectory of the field.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tyler Cowen

Who is Tyler Cowen?

Tyler Cowen is a highly influential American economist, professor at George Mason University, columnist for prominent publications, and a prolific blogger and podcaster known for his wide-ranging intellectual interests and unique application of economic principles to diverse subjects.

What is Marginal Revolution?

Marginal Revolution is a widely read economics blog co-authored by Tyler Cowen and Alex Tabarrok, offering daily commentary, analysis, and links on economic, social, and cultural topics from an economic perspective.

What is Marginal Revolution University (MRU)?

Marginal Revolution University (MRU) is an online education platform co-founded by Tyler Cowen and Alex Tabarrok, providing free, high-quality economics courses and videos to promote economic literacy globally.

What is the Mercatus Center?

The Mercatus Center at George Mason University is a university research center, directed by Tyler Cowen, that focuses on market-oriented solutions to public problems and promotes the understanding of the market economy through research and outreach.

What is "Conversations with Tyler"?

"Conversations with Tyler" is a popular podcast hosted by Tyler Cowen since 2015, featuring long-form interviews with a diverse array of leading thinkers, academics, and innovators from various fields, exploring their ideas and intellectual journeys.

What is Emergent Ventures?

Emergent Ventures is a grant and fellowship program launched by Tyler Cowen and his team at George Mason University, dedicated to supporting individuals with bold, unconventional, and potentially transformative "moon-shot" ideas across various disciplines.