Richard Thaler quotes - page 2

Here is a guiding principle: If a business collects data on consumers electronically, it should provide them with a version of that data that is easy to download and export to another Web site. (Richard Thaler)
The sad truth is that many behavioral economists know very little about psychology. View quote
Richard Thaler
If there is one thing that most economists agree about in the realm of tax policy, it is that it's best to broaden the base of any tax, all else being equal. That means minimizing the number of deductions and exclusions from taxable income in order to lower marginal rates and reduce distortions. View quote
Richard Thaler
Fortunately, economists open to new ways of thinking are finding novel ways to use supposedly irrelevant factors to make the world a better place. View quote
Richard Thaler
It makes sense for social scientists to become more involved in policy because many of society's most challenging problems are, in essence, behavioral. View quote
Richard Thaler
You can't make evidence-based policy decisions without evidence. View quote
Richard Thaler
Many Americans say they want to be organ donors, but they just don't get around to acting on their intentions. Helping these potential good Samaritans overcome their inertia could prolong thousands of lives a year. View quote
Richard Thaler
The main thing that you learn in grad school, or should learn, is how to think like an economist. The rest is just math. View quote
Richard Thaler
Behavioral economics offers a plausible explanation for overreactions by the market. For example, a long period of bad performance can lead to stereotyping. View quote
Richard Thaler
Claiming that Social Security benefits are safe may sound naive, but my view is actually quite cynical. I believe that as long as the elderly continue to vote in large numbers, no Congress will renege on promised payouts for those already eligible to receive benefits. View quote
Richard Thaler
Tax cuts are one of many ways to stimulate the economy. Building infrastructure, for example, is another. (Richard Thaler)
It's not that we can predict bubbles - if we could, we would be rich. But we can certainly have a bubble warning system. View quote
Richard Thaler
Although the United States cannot unilaterally lower the price of oil, it can reduce its consumption by using oil more efficiently and by developing alternative sources of fuel. View quote
Richard Thaler
Social Security may be the most beloved of all the government's programs, partly because it requires so little thinking. You pay taxes while you work, then you and your spouse collect until you die. View quote
Richard Thaler
As every successful parent learns, one way to encourage good behavior, from room-cleaning to tooth-brushing, is to make it fun. Not surprisingly, the same principle applies to adults. Adults like to have fun, too. View quote
Richard Thaler
The lesson for businesses is you are dealing with real people. Those are your customers, those are your employees, those are your bosses, and the better you understand how real people tick, the more successfully you will be able to accomplish your goals. View quote
Richard Thaler
Everyone knows it's dangerous to ingest gasoline or to inhale its fumes. But I am starting to believe that merely thinking about the price of gasoline can damage cognitive processing. View quote
Richard Thaler
The good thing I will say about the Chicago School is that it was always about the world, not about the abstract. View quote
Richard Thaler
Economists discount any factors that would not influence the thinking of a rational person. View quote
Richard Thaler
People make just as many mistakes when the stakes go up, maybe more. View quote
Richard Thaler
I think behavioral economists don't have any more of an explanation about the rise of Trump than anyone else. (Richard Thaler)
Payroll savings plans are vital because they are essentially the only way that middle-class Americans reliably save for retirement. View quote
Richard Thaler
For many people, being asked to solve their own retirement savings problems is like being asked to build their own cars. View quote
Richard Thaler
Don't get trapped by looking at what the price was that you paid for some stock originally. View quote
Richard Thaler
When employees are first eligible for a retirement savings plan, they should be enrolled unless they choose to opt out. View quote
Richard Thaler