Many of you know about economist Bob Murphy’s challenge to Paul Krugman to debate. If you don’t — and heck, even if you do — visit KrugmanDebate.com. Pledges for this event are now at over $104,000. (Bob will update KrugmanDebate.com accordingly this weekend.) This means that if Krugman debates, and only if Krugman debates, a food bank in New York City will get this money. If Krugman never debates, no one who pledges will owe a dime.
Make sure you understand the specifics before saying, “Krugman will never do it.” Murphy has made it hard for Krugman to say no, given the money that would go to charity if it occurred. Of course, if you are absolutely convinced that Krugman will never debate, that’s all the more reason for you to pledge, and pledge a lot: if the debate never happens, your credit card never gets charged.