Barry's Economics

You’ve probably heard people say they’re “asset rich but cash poor.” Usually, they’re millionaires arguing they can’t afford a wealth tax. In this video, I look at that idea — and why the same people who call that “unfair” are fine with people having to sell their homes to pay for end-of-life care in the UK.Because when it’s us, it’s “responsibility.”When it’s them, it’s a “tragedy.”If we can make...

Jacob Rees-Mogg made a video arguing against a mansion tax… from inside his mansion. So today I’m breaking down the psychology behind it: the confidence, the blind spots, the anchoring bias, and the strange belief that a “struggling family” is one living in a £2 million house with “a vast number of children.”In this analysis I look at:– why the wealthy frame taxes as “punishment”– anchoring bias a...

The Left says the rich should share their weath. The Right says they earned their wealth. They’re both wrong — because wealth isn’t individual, it’s collective. In this episode, I explain why a wealth tax isn’t political — it’s about fixing an error in the perception - in the way we see the world culturally. Because wealth doesn’t come from nowhere. It depends on public infrastructure, education,...

Governments tax what’s easiest to see — not where the real money is. We tax income because it’s under the streetlight, while real wealth hides in the dark.(And If this makes sense, share it — the algorithm rarely taxes attention.)In this episode, I explore The Streetlight Effect — a bias that shapes everything from science to economics. We look for solutions where it’s comfortable, familiar, visib...

This one was sparked by a chat I had with someone in the audience at my comedy club — they mentioned retrocessionaires (yes, that’s a real word), which got me thinking about how much risk the rich actually take for their massive gains. We’re told that the rich are “risk-takers” — brave visionaries who deserve their success. Is that entirely true? I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey...

Are the poor just pure jealous, envious of the rich - is that what a wealth tax is about? People sure talk a lot about "The Politics of Envy"I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessness, and rebuilding led me to explore the socio and behavioural economics of inequality. This channel digs into how systems of power shape our identity, behaviour, and bel...

Why does inequality keep repeating itself — even when everyone can see it’s broken? It couldn't be clearer - and in fact even the rich-owned news media know there's a problem. But no-one can seem to agree on what the problem actually is, or how to fix it? Why is that - because most people at the bottom can see clearly what the problem is - that there's a huge underclass of people who d...

The Bill Murray comedy club isn’t named after the actor — it’s named after Sir William Murray, the first Earl of Dysart, who was Prince Charles the First’s official “whipping boy.” When the young royal misbehaved, Little William Murray took the punishment on his behalf. It’s a strange bit of history — but also a perfect metaphor for today. In our hyper-capitalist system, everyday people end up pla...

This video started with a simple phrase that I realised I never questioned: “Survival of the fittest” — a phrase used to justify a lot of "Market Forces" and economics — And I just presumed it was true and actually Darwin’s. So I looked into it - and this is what I found...It also shows how status quo bias, confirmation bias, and motivated reasoning have helped to keep that story alive t...

This video is about why today’s staggering inequality and obscene billionaire wealth are way way worse than we think - and why there's a reckoning a-comingI’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessness, and rebuilding led me to explore the socio and behavioural economics of inequality. This channel digs into how systems of power shape our identity, behaviour,...

In this episode I dig into why massive inequality so often gets brushed aside or minimised — even when it’s staring us in the face. From the way the media frames wealth taxes as “punishing success,” to how politicians and journalists overwhelmingly come from privileged backgrounds, to the psychology of the bystander effect and system justification bias — there are powerful forces that keep inequal...

In this episode I talk about why SALLY'S ECONOMICS (And Larry's and Gareths, and Sarah's and Molly's) are hugely important. And how the bystander effect and authority bias affects how we face talking about this huge issue and joining together to tackle inequality— and how to shape the wealth tax debate. I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessne...

Why isn't Inequality being addressed despite it being clear and visible - why are the voices of those who are raising it are getting ignored? It can be incredibly confusing when the evidence of inequality is all around us and yet it is ignored by people in power. Sometime the reasons can be in in plain sight but hard to truly see - but when I saw this interview with Gary Stevenson on The Rest...

WARNING! Wealth Kills (Other People)We've been in this situation before - we know it's bad. Lets just put warnings on boxes of Billionaires. Support Barry’s EconomicsHelp us stay independent and keep making videos like this.- https://www.buymeacoffee.com/barryseconomics - https://ko-fi.com/barryseconomics - https://www.patreon.com/barryseconomics Follow for future videos! You can also foll...

This episode does what it says on the Tin: Tax is Ozempic for Billionaires. I explain it in 6 minutes of exquisite detail. It's not a metaphor. It's a Fact.(It is actually a metaphor - but don't tell anyone)I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessness, and rebuilding led me to explore the socio and behavioural economics of inequality. Support Barry’...

In this episode I present "The future" (Or lets face it, the present) where owning a home drifts further out of reach, but the spin keeps getting shinier. I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessness, and rebuilding led me to explore the socio and behavioural economics of inequality. This channel digs into how systems of power shape our identity, beha...

In this episode I look at the psychological quirk that keeps us poor - it's a bias, a way our brain has evolved to accept the world as we find it - but it keeps us trapped, keeps us poor, and keeps the rich rich. And recognising it is a key part of making a new story, a story that makes a Wealth Tax an absolute no-brainer. I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, ho...

This episode I share some standup comedy I did on why I think Elon Musk is a real-life Batman! I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessness, and rebuilding led me to explore the socio and behavioural economics of inequality. This channel digs into how systems of power shape our identity, behaviour, and beliefs, and how we can shift the stories we tell ourselves...

In this episode, I discuss how wealth can tend to warp the mind of the beneficiaries in our society. I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessness, and rebuilding led me to explore the socio and behavioural economics of inequality. This channel digs into how systems of power shape our identity, behaviour, and beliefs, and how we can shift the stories we tell our...

In this episode, I discuss the idea of authority bias and how it affects the way we see billionaires in society. I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessness, and rebuilding led me to explore the socio and behavioural economics of inequality. This channel digs into how systems of power shape our identity, behaviour, and beliefs, and how we can shift the stories...

In this episode, I share a piece of standup comedy which I think highlights the truth about minimum wage. I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessness, and rebuilding led me to explore the socio and behavioural economics of inequality. This channel digs into how systems of power shape our identity, behaviour, and beliefs, and how we can shift the stories we tel...

Some of you might be wondering whether what I am doing is a piss take. I can assure you all that it is not! But if it was - it would look something like this. I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessness, and rebuilding led me to explore the socio and behavioural economics of inequality. This channel digs into how systems of power shape our identity, behaviour,...

I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessness, and rebuilding led me to explore the socio and behavioural economics of inequality. This channel digs into how systems of power shape our identity, behaviour, and beliefs, and how we can shift the stories we tell ourselves and each other about poverty, inequality, and who’s to blame. Support Barry’s EconomicsHelp us...

I’m Barry Ferns – a comedian whose personal journey through failure, homelessness, and rebuilding led me to explore the socio and behavioural economics of inequality. This channel digs into how systems of power shape our identity, behaviour, and beliefs, and how we can shift the stories we tell ourselves and each other about poverty, inequality, and who’s to blame. About this video:In this video,...