The fabulous Kilkenomics festival of economics and comedy took place over the weekend just gone. As ever, there were plenty of authors on parade. Tim Harford spoke about Messy (which I reviewed here), Deirdre McCloskey about her latest, Bourgeois Equality (here). Jim Rickards’ session on his book The Road to Ruin, which I haven’t yet read, had rave reviews. Dan Ariely (of Predictably Irrational and Payoff) did a masterclass in behavioural economics. Rutger Bregman was there talking about his book on basic income, Utopia for Realists.

Best of all, however, was my discovery in the excellent local bookshop The Book Centre of Then There Was Light: Stories Powered by the Rural Electrification Scheme in Ireland, edited by PJ Cunningham and Joe Kearney. I know, I know. But electricity is a fascinating technology because (a) it is so hard to get the economic incentives right, hence frequent blackouts in so many countries, and (b) it is so closely entwined with social change. I’ll report back, but I’m thrilled by this collection.