Econ 201: Are You Smarter Than a (1)4th Grader?

In this episode of The Band of Traders, Kyle welcomes back Eric Mason, an economist with a sharp wit and a deep understanding of markets, trade, and economic policy. But this time, there’s a twist! Kyle and other traders took an actual Econ 201 final exam to see how their real-world market experience stacks up against textbook theory. The results? Surprising, hilarious, and oddly revealing.Eric breaks down why traders dominated applied economic concepts but struggled with basic definitions, revealing how financial professionals process information differently than students in a classroom. They also dive into why opportunity cost means something completely different in economics than in finance, how tariffs actually impact trade, and the hidden economics behind movie theaters, monopolies, and cartels (yes, even OPEC and De Beers).If you’ve ever wondered how much of your trading knowledge translates into formal economics… or just want to hear Kyle and the crew get humbled by a test, this episode is a must-listen.Sponsors and FriendsOur podcast is sponsored by Sue Maki at Fairway Independent Mortgage (MLS# 206048). Licensed in 38 states, if you need anything mortgage-related, reach out to her at [email protected] or give her a call at (520) 977-7904. Tell her 2 Bulls sent you to get the best rates available!For anyone trading futures, check out Vantatrading.com. Founded by Mr. W Banks and Baba Yaga, they provide a ton of educational content with the focus of teaching aspiring traders how to build a repeatable, profitable process. You can find our exclusive affiliate link/discount code for Vanta ‘s subscription in our free discord server as well!If you are interested in signing up with TRADEPRO Academy, you can use our affiliate link here. We receive compensation for any purchases made when using this link, so it's a great way to support the show and learn at the same time! **Join our Discord for a link and code to save 10%**Visit Airsoftmaster.com to support one of our own!To contact us, you can email us directly at [email protected] Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Discord to get updated when new content is posted! Check out our directory for other amazing interviews we've done in the past!If you like our show, please let us know by rating and subscribing on your platform of choice!If you like our show and hate social media, then please tell all your friends!If you have no friends and hate social media and you just want to give us money for advertising to help you find more friends, then you can donate to support the show here!Eric:Eric is a practicing labor economist, who currently works as a chief financial officer for the city of Quincy, Ma. His area of research focuses primarily on small business and macroeconomics trends. Eric has a special interest in historical economics, cliometrics and steers clear of ideological hardlines, preferring to use empirical analysis in his appearances.TheInformalEconomist.comFollow Eric on LinkedInThe Buck Starts Here - Presidential history podcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy