With his latest book, Build, Baby, Build: The Science and Ethics of Housing Regulation, he employs a graphic novel format to make the case for a more open approach to housing policy, partnering with illustrator Ady Branzei. It’s his second venture into the world of illustrated narratives, following 2019’s Open Borders: The Science and Ethics of Immigration. Reason’s Christian Britschgi asked Caplan about his motivations and his outlook on the future of the “yes in my backyard” (YIMBY) movement.
Q: Why make the case for more housing in a graphic novel form?
A: There is so much high-quality research out there on the topic, and yet almost no one would ever read it because most of it’s really boring. Honestly, I’m just looking for some way of getting other people interested. The main pitch that I’ve been giving for this book when someone just gives me 20 seconds is, “I’ve written the most fascinating book that has ever been written on housing regulation.”
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