"How to Study Economics by Watching Friends" — A Lecture by Economist Pavel Usanov

"How to Study Economics by Watching Friends" — A Lecture by Economist Pavel Usanov

At first glance, economics and Friends seem to belong to completely different worlds. But take a closer look, and you'll discover that the lives of Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross are filled with fascinating economic questions.

Why do the characters talk so much about rent? How does New York City's labor market work? What happens to your personal finances when you're unemployed? And why do some of the characters' decisions make much more sense once you understand the basic principles of economics?

During the lecture, we'll watch selected scenes from the series, revisit some of its most memorable moments, and explore the economic ideas behind them.

We'll discuss New York's economy, rent regulation, the job market, personal finance, and investing—while also discovering why Friends has become one of the world's most iconic TV sitcoms.