The emergence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the mid-1990s raised major questions. What would their impact be on yields, costs, profitability, pesticide use, and the environment? Who would benefit from the technology, and who might lose? How should intellectual property rights be managed? What were the implications for international trade, and what role would […]
Combining Knowledge with Fun in Ravello Read More »
When I was eight years old, my father began taking me to synagogue on Shabbat. We were living in Israel, and my family was what Israelis called traditional. We did not drive on the Sabbath or light a fire, though we did turn electric lights on and off. My father went to the synagogue every
The Encyclopedia That Gave Me a Choice Read More »
I was introduced to Carl Pray by Doug Parker. At the time, I was working on a paper on the political economy of agricultural research, and I spoke with Carl about some of the ideas behind it. We discussed the possibilities for government support of research and the extent to which such research should be
Carl Pray: A Friend and a Wise Scholar Read More »
Around 1985, a large, imposing, energetic man walked into my office and began telling me about his research on technology adoption and farm-system choices. He introduced himself as Bruce McCarl from Oregon State. I had just finished a paper on adoption, and I was embarrassed that I had ignored his work. So I read some
Bruce McCarl: An Unsung Hero of Climate Change Economics Read More »
On Thursday, April 9, after my class, I felt pain in my chest. I was supposed to attend Isha Ray’s retirement party, but instead I went home. After a while, the pain subsided. The next evening, it returned, so I went to the emergency room at Kaiser. They immediately performed an EKG and, after ruling
Losing a Gallbladder, Gaining Perspective Read More »
Several weeks ago, I was invited to participate in a series of University of Notre Dame conferences on environmental sustainability—first in Castel Gandolfo and now in Rome. The project was inspired by Pope Francis’s 2015 encyclical Laudato Si'(“Praised Be”), which framed care for the planet as an urgent moral responsibility closely linked to human dignity and justice, particularly for
Learning About Environment and Faith Read More »
In early February, I participated in the Ashby Workshop on the social impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), held at the Salamander Resort in Middleburg, Virginia. The workshop was organized by Fathom, a philanthropy-supported nonprofit, and brought together about 150 participants under strict no-attribution and no-recording rules. The group was deliberately multidisciplinary, including AI researchers, scientists, ethicists, economists, and policymakers.
Learning enjoying and assessing AI Read More »
I got a wonderful gift from Thomas Reardon, a volume of Thomas Kuhn’s classics. I should have read it before, but I didn’t, and reading it, I understood why it’s a “great” book. It presents a convincing conceptual framework, compelling narrative without excessive jargon, and presents interesting and clear examples. The book presents an original
On January 1, 2026, I will formally retire and transition to Professor of the Graduate School (POG). While my pension will cover my salary, I will continue to maintain an office at Berkeley, manage my research grants, and supervise graduate students. The practical effects of this transition are modest: I will no longer teach large
Transitioning from Professor to Professor of the Graduate School (POG) Read More »
The year 2025 was marked by continuity and change—personally and professionally. It was a year of deepening connections with family as the next generation grows, and defines its own paths, continued teaching and mentorship at Berkeley, and engagement with colleagues across continents. My golden years are still golden When you are young, you dread old
My Annual Review – 2025 Read More »