Discrimination and Disparities with Thomas Sowell

Recorded March 14, 2018
Rich or poor, most people agree that wealth disparities exist. Thomas Sowell discusses the origins and impacts of those wealth disparities in his new book, Discrimination and Disparities in this episode of Uncommon Knowledge.
Sowell explains his issues with the relatively new legal standard of “disparate impact” and how it disregards the American legal principle of “burden of proof.” Sowell and Robinson discuss how economic outcomes vary greatly across individuals and groups and that concepts like “disparate impact” fail to take into account these variations.
They chat about the impact of nuclear families on the IQs of individuals, as studies have not only shown that children raised by two parents tend to have higher levels of intelligence but also that first-born and single children have even higher intelligence levels than those of younger siblings, indicating that the time and attention given by parents to their children greatly impacts the child’s future more than factors like race, environment, or genetics. Sowell talks about his book in which he wrote extensively about National Merit Scholarship finalists who more often than not were the first-born or only child in a family.
Sowell and Robinson go on to discuss historical instances of discrimination and how those instances affected economic and social issues within families, including discrimination created by housing laws in the Bay Area. They discuss unemployment rates, violence, the welfare state in regards to African American communities, and more.
Related Resources:
• Discrimination and Disparities (www.hoover.org/research/discr...)
• Wealth, Poverty, and Politics (www.hoover.org/research/wealt...)
• Thomas Sowell Brings the World into Focus through an Economic Lens (www.hoover.org/research/thoma...)
• Thomas Sowell discusses his newest book, Intellectuals and Race (www.hoover.org/research/thoma...)
• Thomas Sowell discusses his essay “‘Trickle Down’ Theory and ‘Tax Cuts for the Rich.’” (www.hoover.org/research/thoma...)
• Thomas Sowell on the second edition of Intellectuals and Society (www.hoover.org/research/thoma...)
For the full transcript go to
www.hoover.org/research/discr...
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[@CarlVandenberg]

I'd like to see a 2-3 hour discussion between Thomas Sowell and Jordan Peterson

[@waflestix346]

Carl Vandenberg that’s like putting hot sauce on ice cream. Both essential, but just for different occasions.

[@conforzo]

Every single American should read this now during the BLM riots.

[@stevn845]

He says exactly what he has to say then shuts up. that is truly a great but rare quality.

[@dwight4k]

Ha... I noticed that too.

[@Allzumenschliches44]

I hope Dr. Sowell will keep giving Hoover interviews in all eternity! This man is a national treasure.

[@cknwngonstrng]

international*

[@BarbaraJoanneBJ]

I've been saying that for years. He's a gift from heaven. And Robinson ain't nothin to be sneezed at either.

[@PCGamer77]

TS is awesome. Peter Robinson is a *really* terrific interviewer. I don't think I have ever seen one of his interviews and wished he had asked a question he didn't ask.

[@DrJohnnyFrancis]

He’s a global treasure,

[@3qht]

As an Asian American, I find myself teary and exclaiming to myself, "Thomas Sowell, please don't die ! "

[@QB.113]

Sowell is 87 and still sharp as a tack. It's remarkable he publishes so many books and always has something valuable to say.

[@Toddcinca]

Um I dont ever want Thomas Sowell to die

[@FG-wn6re]

The fall of man is his ego. Thomas Sowell has transcended this and only been interested in the truth, making him one of the most valuable people in the world.

[@jeraldjosey]

Thomas Sowell should be a mandatory read in all high schools, he is a treasure

[@basedautistic6021]

Heaven is just Thomas Sowell reading his books to everyone sitting on the floor for eternity

[@zitools]

if ronald dahl was a storyteller. you, my love, are a poet-dahl.

[@belladryl7143]

Through the insanity spreading across America, Thomas Sowell always seems to have an answer

[@Atombender]

Basic Economics should be taught at every American school.

[@lanand9397]

This man is 88 years old, and he’s still sharper than every liberal out there

[@synthetiCore]

This man is an intellectual powerhouse. I am currently reading his book, "Intellectuals and Society" and am really enjoying it.

[@UNDFTDGordon]

Ryan Vento That one is a polemic against the left's philosophy of the 20th century. It is one of the best books that I've ever read.

[@JaviEngineer]

All of his stuff straight Fire. Race and Economics, Inside American Education, Knowledge and Decisions, Ethnic America, Conquests and Cultures, Migrations and Cultures.....the list of incredible books go on.

[@echo1174]

Sowell Is God! Selah!! 'Preferential policies' is a great book to read people.

[@Sparta-yy6we]

Thomas Sowell is such a political pawn for Paleo Conservatives and Right-wing proxies...At frame @10:50 he was meet with question about the cost of discrimination, and disparities??..Instead of going to something directly during his time, like Jim Crow and de jure segregation??Where he can point out, directly quantitive and qualitative things..But instead mentions South Africa Apartheid, about jobs under the Group Areas Act, and its vagueness to certain racial groups..Then @ 37:11 he is asked about an article in the Alantic, pertaining the discussion on the period of Tran-Alantic Slavery and suggestion of reparations??.It matter not if he support the talk about reparations, but he answered in a typical ambiguous roundabout way the World History of Slavery, ..Which has no direct connection to forced de jure/de facto segregation, voting disfranchisement and lost generational wealth (see: Great Migration) to the North, under the "reconstruction amendments" 13th, 14th and 15th..For heaven sake, his family is from Gastonia, North Carolina..But he goes to that???

[@wynstondim]

Undoubtedly one of the best books I've ever read...

[@crystal7245]

I hope that Thomas Sowell knows what a precious gift he has left us by doing these sit downs. Thank you so much.

[@jason1602]

Besides my mother and father, I can think of no other human that has inspired me to think and analyze more than Thomas Sowell. Thank you, Mr. Sowell.

[@metabolic_jam]

I am a simple man, I see Dr. Thomas Sowell, I hit like.

[@tommyodonovan3883]

Thomas Sowell is the greatest living American.

[@max-ru6cz]

I love Peter Robinson's dramatic reactions to Sowell's points as though it were the first time he'd ever heard them. xD

[@jaimesolis8362]

Philip M timeless interviewer....

[@usafmp1]

Although I know this won’t happen, it would be amazing if Netflix had a series of debates between Mr. Sowell and the current leading leftists.

[@solodosa2417]

People need more exposure to Thomas Sowell.

[@digitalfootballer9032]

Me 40 minutes ago : It's late...I'm just going to watch part of this now and catch the rest tomorrow. 40 minutes later : [can't put down phone] I think I'll find another good Sowell interview to watch!

[@jeffdkillman]

When Sowell reads his own work at the end, it feels like I'm at a sermon on Sunday.

[@deannanoneyabusiness]

Thomas Sowell, you are my hero. We need you for all of eternity. Thanks for continuing to work so hard. Sincerely - a Canadian gal

[@marcspade_pipes]

Educated and civil conversations are a true rarity these days. At least public conversations anyway.

[@shaolin89]

This man ages incredibly well.

[@slyblood85]

i'm jealous of Peter, he gets to spend a lot of time with Tom. It must be an honor for him.

[@linkonprime]

Only 536,000 views over the past nearly 3 years. What a shame. Should be in the multiple millions of views.

[@iluen]

Dr. Sowell is a living legend!

[@youngscooter6290]

I stopped being a liberal when I realized they were wrong about everything 😂😂😂 when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. I thank god for people like Friedman and Sowell.

[@Mecharocca]

With no hyperbole, I can say, this has been one of the hardest weeks in my life. But when my buddy sent me a link for a new video with Thomas Sowell, it all melted away. A National Treasure, thank you Sir (and I read your book the day it was released and it's one of my favorites in your work).

[@keepyouright6157]

I don't know the nature of your difficulties, but I sincerely hope things turn for the better, if it's at all possible.

[@PreciseVids]

Pat Check out Lewis Howes channel for motivating interviews. Also, Gary Vee and Ed Mylett

[@adamwesley71]

I always feared that liberalism was annoying because it’s always about creating rules and regulations. It is FAR WORSE THAN I THOUGHT.

[@901pics]

This man deserves many statues, institutions named after him and chapters taught in school about him and others.

[@sweetcara14]

Dr Sowell always leaves us wanting more, whether it's an interview or one of his very well written books. He's a national treasure.

[@Notofsoundmind]

Thank you for producing these videos featuring Thomas Sowell. Dr. Sowell is a national treasure.

[@BenniekdaReal]

Crazy. My whole way of thinking was changed after hearing this man speak. Thanks 🙏🏾

[@gggusc11]

Christmas came early 🙏

[@cthulhu4me]

Dr. Thomas Sowell is a giant among men.

[@aryehfinklestein9041]

Prof. Sowell is one the deepest thinkers and most perceptive commentators we have. Always brilliant and eloquent. Thanks for posting.

[@libertariantiger]

I thought Sowell had retired! I'm glad to see him return!

[@FreedomAlternative]

He "retired" from writing columns, not books. He explained ten years ago that he'll only retire from writing books when he will be dead.

[@worsethanjoerogan8061]

Great thing about writing is as long as your mind is sound you can keep writing no matter how old you are. And incidentally doing complex and challenging mental tasks at an old age helps stave off dementia and mental decline.

[@katorone1841]

Every few months I come back to these videos, to try and absorb some more of Thomas' wisdom.

[@georgelayne5242]

His laugh at 32:50 is infectious! When I hear it I can't help but laugh as well.

[@JackKlompus13]

I love you, Dr. Sowell. Please never stop doing what you're doing.

[@luisronaldofigo]

Man this guy writes fast

[@notayoutuber09]

Happy 90th birthday Mr.Sowell! I've listened to your Hoover Institution interviews multiple times and want to thank you for everything you've shared and promote people of all ages to do: question theories by looking at the data. Go by facts and not by feelings.

[@mikewest8836]

Thomas Sowell should be required reading, and frankly should run public education for the United States

[@danuall5816]

Love these conversations between these two, find it amusing whenever Peter looks up to the heavens.

[@jeremyrainman]

The final chapter of this book of Dr Sowell's is so good, I re-listened to it 20 times. That short chapter completely destroys ALL of the bleeding-heart arguments for trying to eliminate disparities between arbitrarily and politically drawn groups.

[@roverinosnarkman7240]

Read any of Dr Sowell’s books (yes, any of them). He writes in a lovely clear style, is well read, does very good background research on his topics, and is very convincing in his arguments. Strongly recommended. Thank you for posting this great interview!

[@tomg4993]

I could listen to this amazing man all day. Thank you Thomas Sowell.

[@johnedwards785]

I can watch Dr. Thomas Sowell's same videos over and over again and always learn something more that I missed in the first go around. It's because he has so much information to impart, and such unique perception on information, that almost all others, have totally missed.

[@fusionsoul]

Can't wait to read the book. I hope Dr. Sowell writes a book on healthcare. We need a voice with his insight and clarity to make sense of such a messy issue.

[@Marthastewart209.]

Please read this book: www.amazon.com/American-Sickness-Healthcare-Became-Business/dp/1594206759 It is amazing and explains the entire healthcare industry and will make sense to you after you are finished listening/ reading it. It has enraged me and helped me understand the messy issue

[@flamefusion8963]

That and education.

[@heyheyhe0011]

The Doctor’s back and in the House. Hope we have the man for long time

[@JackHaveman52]

Dr. Sowell is an absolutely brilliant man. The world, especially the US, is lucky to have him.

[@DoctorMandible]

Can you two host a weekly show? I'll be your first patreon supporter!

[@libertariantiger]

DoctorMandible Even just a monthly show would be one of the coolest things in the world!

[@RodrigoBorgesphil]

I second that

[@grantduberry5675]

Third

[@millamilla10]

Please!

[@maximinus5151]

Make me the fourth potential contributer to a Robinson and Sowell weekly show.

[@charliesims7302]

Thomas sowell is the most brilliant intellectual I have ever had the privilege of hearing speak. I was converted to conservatism by Ben Shapiro, and Ben is a genius, but Thomas is still the supreme intellect in my book!

[@russyallop3957]

It would be harder to think of a greater role model for young African-American kids than Thomas Sowell. A kid pretty much orphaned who came up through dire poverty to become a leading economist second to none. Yet no one knows who he is. Kanye, if you're reading this, you know what to do.

[@xephyra7020]

I must give my chief credit to Thomas Sowell and Ben Shapiro for changing my mind and directing me to be a conservative. Their level-headedness, intellect, and adherence to facts is a breath of fresh air. God bless ‘em!

[@leahmzee5290]

I love this guy , he’s such a sweetheart.

[@wannaberocker331]

Thomas Sowell has been sort of like a rockstar in my life since i was in high school (in my 30s now). Its like being a fan of a artist or a musician. I feel privileged to have discovered him and his works. He is wonderful on so many levels.

[@maguilla]

Dr.Thomas Sowell is a American treasure.

[@Texas80]

Thomas Sowell's Basic Economics changed my outlook of the world, love his books and insight!

[@yokiitekudasai]

I had been hoping that this interview would happen! Previous interviews with him are some of the best content on KZbin. Be well Mr. Sowell!

[@michaelpisciarino5348]

0:00 Introduction 0:32 Bio Info 0:58 Disparate Impact 4:30 Reality is Lumpy 6:33 Family Background matters (attention, environment) 9:57 Costs of Discrimination: Less $, segregation shuts out possible customers, qualified employees. 15:44 Housing 17:37 The Great Retrogression

[@goodchessactor]

Thank you, Dr. Sowell. Believe it or not I have been reading your column since 1964! Yes, that's 54 years. I read your columns religiously in the now defunct newspaper The San Juan Star. Your column was by far my favorite. I wish you a long life and hope you can continue to enlighten the world with you wisdom.

[@wexlermk1]

Gratitude for clarity. Deep respect for intellectual depth. Wisdom.. Reverence for a great man. I feel very emotional just now.

[@freedom2fighter720]

I am happy to know there's a man like Thomas Sowell in this world. To know Thomas is colleagues with Walter E Williams truly brings joy to my heart. Thank you for what you do.

[@creativepower213]

Tom always reminds me how powerful it is to be able to think and communicate clearly and objectively.

[@AwkwardAndInnocent]

Much like Friedman, still sharp as a tack in his older years. Thank you for all of your contributions, Dr. Sowell. Hopefully many more to come :)

[@chaolee3605]

People’s failings are often a result of their egos. “The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than save by criticism” - Norman Vincent Peale

[@TVPubCrawl]

Hats off to Peter Robinson for really picking Thomas' brain and asking him to elaborate on key issues. These are great interviews and we thank you for them!

[@Arenem88]

Thank God for this man. Seriously. He is so damn intelligent but puts things in a way so simply that even the common person (like me) can understand. Favorited this video :)

[@thanksfernuthin]

I love my Dad (he's no longer with us). There's only one man in my entire life where I thought, "I wish he was my father.", Thomas Sowell. The idea that I could still learn from my Dad while I'm in my 50's sounds amazing. I'm probably wrong! There's more to being a Dad than teaching. But I honestly had that thought.

[@stephanesurprenant60]

I had a professor who spent much of his early career on estimation methods used to quantify inefficiencies. After a decade, he carried out simulation studies and found results that shed doubts on most of what he wrote. He told me that when he analyzed these results, he convinced himself he had to change something. And he did just that. This is one of many reasons that made him highly respected in the economics department: a very high sense of integrity.

[@xallthatremains8339]

This man should've been the first black president

[@Cereal_Killer007]

Thomas Sowell is a man who has real wisdom. Id love to meet him some day. BTW the 246 dislikes on this video were all Marxist or Liberal, theres no other explanation for a dislike

[@ronnieferguson560]

He might possibly be the greatest intellectual in over 100 yrs

[@stacystracener1393]

I love the fact that he laughs about being a Marxist in his youth! The old adage is really a truism - If You Are Not a Liberal at 25, You Have No Heart. If You Are Not a Conservative at 35 You Have No Brain. - youth has the luxury of believing in idealism(s), yet, with age you get the wisdom of realism, and how life really works. Dr. Sowell is so wise and beyond the average, that he’s an anomaly. The Marxist youth of this age are so extreme and confident in their self-righteous ignorance that they will run this country over a cliff! Only in hindsight in 10 to 20 years will they see the folly of their idealism.

[@ChalKhutiKothig]

Dr. Sowell, it is always a pleasure and a learning experience to listen to you.

[@chesterg.791]

Thomas Sowell is such a gem

[@kaptynkavman235]

Thomas Sowell is an American legend

[@normbabbitt4325]

This man, Thomas Sowell, has helped me make a "sea change" toward sanity, in my perspective and attitude, over these last several years. Great interviewer and exceptional interviewer. Thank you!

[@HelenA-fd8vl]

Thomas Sowell is an intellectual giant but also a man who seems at peace with himself. I wonder what his beliefs are about the deepest aspects of life.

[@chessimate]

I almost teared up when he read that extract from his book! 🥰🥰

[@anh0eline]

... That belly laugh... :)

[@AlbowaSinema]

A given genius. Deep!

[@cameronhetzler5407]

"Choose Trump. He's easier to impeach." Well, this aged wonderfully! Dr. Sowell is truly in his own league

[@DHW256]

Thank you, Dr. Sowell, for your extraordinary ability to state what should be obvious to all of us, if we would only pay attention and be honest with ourselves and each other. You, sir, are a National Treasure.

[@studiouswadoo5027]

30:45 Thomas Sowell said "voters have to choose between two out of control people, but choose Trump because he'd be easier to impeach" 😂😂😂 Dr Sowell is a genius

[@juniperberry5316]

Thomas Sowell is the greatest mind of our modern age, and Peter Robinson is a great interviewer. Appreciate these series so much, as well as Mr Sowell’s many great books.

[@josedubois2295]

I can't help but say how much admiration I have for Thomas Sowell.

[@jamiestephens2720]

First time seeing him speak, what a brilliant man.

[@irinalanda4083]

Thank you Mr. Sowell! Great conversation! Great message! Great men!

[@dddoyle]

May God bless Thomas Sowell abundantly and continue to make him a blessing to many, as he has been for decades...

[@bronxkies]

The dynamic duo back at it again with another headbanger!!

[@chiefsittingstill6061]

Another great interview with Dr. Sowell. Thanks. Hopefully he still has a few more books & interviews left in him!

[@MorphingReality]

Nice ending.

[@noispat6380]

Start making a new clip please. Your work is amazing.

[@VinnySmiles01]

That laugh after the reparations quoted as all I needed as a reply to it 😂😂

[@stuarthayward4756]

Thank-you to the Hoover Institution for giving the genius of Mr Sowell a voice. A very interesting discussion and an intriguing book.

[@JohnJones-wo1bc]

Thomas Sowell is one of the great intellectuals of the modern age. Awesome insight and intellectual honesty

[@ernieshaw2178]

These things should be taught in every school across America.