Events Archive
Decentralization of Power & the Future of Freedom
On Thursday, April 17, 2025, Dr. Steve Trost discussed the intersection of the surveillance
state and digital technologies, and the resulting impact on personal liberty.
There was a small-group discussion on the topic the next day (Friday, April 18).
Cronyism in America: The Nation's First Big Business
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, Dr. Patrick Newman discussed the history of cronyism
in America.
Dr. Newman teaches economics at the University of Tampa and is a Fellow of the Mises
Institute.
How Executive Power can Dismantle Deep State Cronyism
On Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Dr. Patrick Newman discussed deep state cronyism.
Dr. Newman teaches economics at the University of Tampa and is a Fellow of the Mises Institute.
There was a small-group discussion on the topic (with Dr. Newman) on Wednesday, April 9.
Dr. Newman teaches economics at the University of Tampa and is a Fellow of the Mises Institute.
There was a small-group discussion on the topic (with Dr. Newman) on Wednesday, April 9.
A Journey from Engineer to Inventor to Entrepreneur
On Thursday, 3/27/25, Dr. Steve Trost, Director of the Institute for the Study of
Free Enterprise (ISFE), discussed the Theory of the Solution of Inventive Problems
(TRIZ), what it means to be an entrepreneur, and how to apply the principles of Lean
Startup using the Business Model Canvas.
There was a small-group discussion on the topic the next day (Friday, March 28).
The Case for Secession: How Breaking Away Safeguards Liberty
Economist and author Ryan McMaken was on campus Wednesday, March 13 to give a lecture
entitled “The Case for Secession: How Breaking Away Safeguards Liberty.”
The lecture took place in Business Building 175, from 7:30-8:45p and was also be livestreamed
via the FES Facebook Page.
There was a small-group discussion on the topic the next day (Thursday, March 14,
SU 460).
2008 Financial Crisis: Causes & Mechanisms
Financial analyst Stephen Bond was on campus Thursday, February 29, 2024 to give a
lecture entitled “2008 Financial Crises: Causes & Mechanisms.”
The lecture took place in Business Building 175, from 7:30-8:45p and was also livestreamed
via the FES Facebook Page.
There was a small-group discussion on the topic the next day (Friday, March 1, SU
460, 11:30-12:45p).
Algorithmic Trading & The Flash Crash of 2010
Financial analyst Stephen Bond was on campus Thursday, February 29, 2024 to give a
lecture entitled “Algorithmic Trading & The Flash Crash of 2010.”
The lecture took place in Business Building 001, from 3:00-4:15p and was also livestreamed
via the FES Facebook Page.
There was a small-group discussion on the topic the next day (Friday, March 1, SU
460, 11:30-12:45p).
How Entrepreneurs (Not Government) Built America
Distinguished Historian Dr. Burt Folsom was on campus Thursday, November 9, 2023 to
give a lecture entitled “How Entrepreneurs (Not Government) Built America.”
The lecture took place in Classroom Building 313, from 1:30-2:45p and was also be
livestreamed via InsideOSU.com.
There was a small-group discussion on the topic the next day (Friday, November 10,
SU 460, 11:30a-12:45p).
Privatize Roads, Oceans, Space
Dr. Walter Block was on campus Wednesday, October 18, 2023 to give a lecture entitled
“Privatize Roads, Oceans, Space.”
The lecture took place in Business Building 201, from 7:30-8:45p and was also be livestreamed
via https://www.facebook.com/okstate.fes/live_videos.
There was a small-group discussion on the topic the next day (Thursday, October 19,
SU 460, 1:15-2:30p).
Legalizing Blackmail, and Other Conundrums: A Property-Rights Perspective
Dr. Walter Block was on campus Tuesday, October 17, 2023 to give a lecture entitled
“Legalizing Blackmail, and other Conundrums: A Property-Rights Perspective.”
The lecture took place in Business Building 201, from 7:30-8:45p and was also livestreamed
via https://www.facebook.com/okstate.fes/live_videos.
There was a small-group discussion with Dr. Block on the topic the next day (Wednesday,
October 18, SU 460, 1:15-2:30p).
Oil, Coal, & Natural Gas = Climate Catastrophe or Climate Mastery ?
Alex Epstein came to campus Monday, October 9, 2023 to give a lecture entitled “Fossil Future:
Oil, Coal, & Natural Gas = Climate Catastrophe or Climate Mastery?”
There was a small-group discussion on the topic over lunch the next day (Tuesday,
October 10, SU 297, 11:30a-12:45p).
Where Is My Flying Car?
Dr. J. Storrs Hall spoke on Monday, April 24, 2023, discussing the various hurdles
that have prevented development and adoption of flying cars.
A small-group discussion on the topic was held over lunch the next day.
Anarchism & Anarcho-Capitalism
Dr. Per Bylund was on campus Thursday, March 23, 2023 discussing what it means to
have 'Rules without Rulers' (JB 101, 7-8:15p).
In addition, Dr. Randy Holcombe (FSU) was on campus the following week (Thursday,
March 30), to debate Dr. Bylund regarding the viability of Anarchism (JB 101, 7-8:15p).
There was a small-group discussion on the topic of Anarchism over lunch on Friday,
March 24.
There was a small-group discussion on the topic of Minarchism over lunch on Friday,
March 31.
Dr. Jay Richards
Author & Scholar
On Monday, October 18, 2021, Dr. Richards discussed Artificial Intelligence and whether
we are in danger of losing our jobs to smart machines.
Dr. Richards is a Research Assistant Professor at Catholic University's Busch School of Business, a Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, and a Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute.
He is the author of numerous books, including:
- The Human Advantage: The Future of American Work in an Age of Smart Machines
- Money, Greed, and God: The Christian Case for Free Enterprise
- The Price of Panic: How the Tyranny of Experts Turned a Pandemic into a Catastrophe
- Indivisible: Restoring Faith, Family, and Freedom Before It's Too Late
- The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos Is Designed for Discovery
Josh Hammer
Constitutional Attorney
On Monday, October 4, 2021, Josh Hammer spoke about the importance of Federalism,
its principles, the rationale behind the Founders' reliance upon those principles,
and how a return to Federalism can sustain our intensely divided nation. Josh's discussion
of Federalism also examined the recent push by various states to legalize Cannabis,
despite numerous Federal laws still criminalizing it.
Dr. William Luther
Visiting Scholar
On Nov. 2, 2020, Dr. William Luther, assistant professor of economics at Florida Atlantic University and director of the Sound Money Project for the American Institute for Economic Research, was on campus discussing the future
of digital currency. The event was also livestreamed via OStateTV and a rebroadcast is currently available (along with the presentation slides) via
the button below.
Josh Malone
Inventor of Bunch O Balloons
On Oct. 19, 2020, the Free Enterprise Society viewed a screening of the documentary
film Invalidated: The Shredding of the U.S. Patent System, which features independent inventor Josh Malone and the challenges he faced when
trying to protect the rights to his invention, Bunch O Balloons. Instead of a system
focused on helping small businesses and independent inventors, Josh discovered that
many of the practices of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Patent
Trial & Appeal Board (PTAB) actually work against small businesses and independent
inventors.
After the screening, Josh participated in a question & answer session (viewable via
the link below).
Patrick Reasonover
They Say It Can't Be Done
FES students viewed a private screening of the documentary film They Say It Can't Be Done, then participated in a Q&A discussion with the producer, Patrick Reasonover. The
Q&A session is available for viewing on OStateTV (click on the adjacent image).
The documentary assesses the impacts of government regulation on innovation via an
in-depth examination of four groundbreaking technologies and their entrepreneurial struggles
to accomplish the seemingly impossible. The technologies are 3D organ printing,
cultured ('lab grown') meat, aquaculture (ocean farming), and carbon sequestration.
If you would like to receive a private-screening link to view the documentary, please
send an email to free_enterprise@okstate.edu with "Documentary" in the subject line.
Michael Shellenberger
The Science, Economics & Ethics of Climate Change & Environmental Alarmism
Michael Shellenberger, founder and president of Environmental Progress, discussed
his book "Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Harms us All."
Dr. Sean Flynn
The Cure That Works: How to Have the World's Best Health Care at a Quarter of the
Price
Dr. Sean Flynn, chairman of the economics department at Scripps College, visited the
OSU campus Sept. 11, 2020, to discuss his book "The Cure That Works."