Bobbleheads on Spikes: The (Selfish) Case for Rules, with David Epstein

Bobbleheads on Spikes: The (Selfish) Case for Rules, with David Epstein

From Pablo Torre Finds Out by The Athletic

April 10, 2026 · 40 min

About this episode

David Epstein discusses the importance of rules in society and markets, arguing they facilitate progress rather than hinder it.

Whether it's A.I. companies pirating millions of books or NBA owners violating the salary cap, the most powerful entities in America are trying to circumvent laws created to restrain them. Bestselling author and investigative journalist David Epstein (no relation!) makes the case for why rules are not obstacles to progress, but the opposite: the very things that make a society — and a market — free.  • Pre-order David Epstein's new book, Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Pablo Torre

Guest: David Epstein

Topics covered

  • rules
  • progress
  • society
  • market
  • A.I.
  • NBA
  • salary cap

Keywords

  • rules
  • progress
  • David Epstein
  • A.I.
  • NBA
  • salary cap
  • constraints
  • society
  • market

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Athletic

Books & works: Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better

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