Fear the Boom and Bust

"Fear the Boom and Bust"
Music video by Billy Scafuri, Adam Lustick
Published January 23, 2010
Released January 23, 2010
Recorded 2010
Genre Educational hip hop
Length 07:33
Writer John Papola and Russ Roberts
Composer Richard Royston Jacobs
Language English
Producer John Papola

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.

Synopsis

John Maynard Keynes

Fear the Boom and Bust revolves around a debate concerning the boom and bust cycle, hence the title. The video has more than five million views on YouTube.

Friedrich von Hayek

Overview

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 or not society needs a "more bottom up" or "more top down" approach to managing the economy.

See also

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.

External links