In this quote, Richard Thaler is talking about his literary agent, John Brockman, who represents authors known for their academic work. Thaler humorously describes how agents like Brockman are skilled at convincing academics to write books, and he implies that Brockman used similar tactics on him.
The deeper meaning of the quote reflects the challenges and dynamics between literary agents and potential authors from academic backgrounds. Often, these authors might not see themselves as writers or believe they have a story worth telling, so agents play a crucial role in motivating them to turn their knowledge into accessible books for a broader audience. This process involves persuasion and encouragement, highlighting the importance of an agent's ability to identify valuable content and inspire others to share it with the world.
Richard Thaler is a well-known American economist known for his contributions to behavioral economics and finance. He received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 2017 for his work on prospect theory and its applications to economic decision-making. His humorous take on literary agents reflects not only his personal experience but also his broader insights into human behavior and how it impacts our daily choices, including those related to writing and sharing knowledge.
