The McCloskey's Speech

contradicts Cowen's thesis that big ideas are the essence of growth. I'm on McCloskey's side.

The good stuff presumably coming after the first 20 minutes of excruciating triviality? I couldn't take any more at that point and gave up on it.

"even with the occasional stammer"? I've seen a few videos of her speaking and this seems to just be how she talks. Nice.

Mr. Sullivan,
A 100-fold increase in the average standard of living is trivial to you? I'd love to know what you think is a non-trivial topic!

I believe McCloskey has clearly outlined the main issues regarding the economic growth throughout the past centuries of human history. Furthermore I believe that she is correct in saying that "we have science because we are rich". Indeed it is true that our wealth has not been generated by science, but the contrary: science has been generated because of wealth. I also agree with Mr Falkenstein, and thus with McCloskey, on the fact that economic growth was favored by small technological improvements and by creative destruction on a smaller scale, rather than on a greater scale.