Send us a text

In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan dissects the belief that taxing corporate income is a fair and just way to hold corporations accountable. With wit and sharp analysis, Rik unpacks the misconception that corporations are somehow separate entities that can be taxed without consequence. Instead, he explains that corporations are merely legal constructs—a “nexus of contracts”—and that in reality, it’s actual people who ultimately bear the burden of these taxes.

Rik delves into the complexities of tax incidence, exposing how the costs of corporate taxes are passed on to consumers, employees, and suppliers, leaving no one unscathed. He also challenges the broader issue of income taxation itself, suggesting that a shift toward consumption taxes, or even a carbon tax, might better align with fairness and economic efficiency. If you’ve ever wondered who’s really paying when governments tax corporate income, this episode will leave you with a whole new perspective.

Send us a text

In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan takes us on a deep dive into the life and enduring influence of John Maynard Keynes, one of the most significant figures in modern economics. From his privileged upbringing in upper-middle-class England to his groundbreaking work during the Great Depression, Keynes shaped what we now know as macroeconomics. But was Keynes’ influence truly revolutionary, or was it a polished extension of medieval intelligent design thinking applied to the economy?

With dry humor and sharp insights, Rik challenges the assumptions behind Keynesian interventionism, drawing parallels to feudal governance and top-down economic planning. While Keynes may have been a brilliant thinker, his legacy of government-managed markets still resonates with ideas from a bygone era, ignoring the power of evolutionary thinking in socioeconomic systems. Join Rik as he unpacks Keynes’ contributions and asks whether it’s time for Earthlings to move beyond the medieval mindset still shaping much of modern economics.

Send us a text

In this episode of Fascinating!, Rik from Planet Vulcan delves into the brilliant mind of Nobel laureate James M. Buchanan, whose Public Choice theory flips the romanticized view of selfless government on its head. Buchanan argued that politicians and bureaucrats, just like market participants, are driven by self-interest—because, let’s face it, they’re human too. With sharp wit and a healthy dose of Vulcan skepticism, Rik unpacks Buchanan’s belief in the power of evolving systems over the rigid ‘intelligent design’ of governance, while debunking the myth of perfect competition and flawless governance.

From Buchanan’s rugged Scottish roots to his intellectual growth under the influence of Frank H. Knight and Friedrich Hayek, this episode traces his journey from questioning central planning to championing spontaneous order. If you’ve ever felt that centralized control is like a deus ex machina in a story best left to unfold naturally, this one’s for you.