Bringing About A World That Ought To Be | Judd Kessler ’00

What is a key lesson from Friends that you’ve taken into adulthood?

Friends Seminary taught me how to interact with others in a positive way: to not be competitive or resentful and to instead lead with kindness and respect.

And sitting in the meeting house opposite the other fifth grade class — who would sometimes try to make us laugh by making funny faces — taught me important lessons about self-control.

Which one of Friends’ Spices—resonates most with you?

I think a lot about equality — treating everyone equally and striving for fairness — in my life, in my work, and as a goal for society.

Please share what you have been up to  since graduating from Friends?

Friends Seminary started me on an amazing academic journey. After Friends and high school, I went to Harvard University where I majored in Economics. I then got an MPhil in Economics at the University of Cambridge and returned to Harvard for my PhD in Business Economics. Since getting my PhD in 2011, I’ve been a professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. But I still live in Manhattan (on the UWS) and visit my parents in the apartment where I grew up (near Union Square), so Friends Seminary has never been far away.

Is there a particular teacher or teachers who inspired your career path?

Linda Chu had a major influence on me, as I know she did for many of us. It was in her class when I first started to understand how things I did in the present would impact the future. Activities from her class — watching eggs turn into ducklings, drawing what I imagined I would look like and do as and as an adult — have stuck with me.

The forward-looking worldview that Linda taught me in her class is necessary to do things like sign up for a six-year PhD program.

How do you define success for yourself?

Leaving the world in a better place than when I got here.

Please share the details about your new book:

My book is called Lucky by Design: The Hidden Economics You Need to Get More of What You Want

The book is pop economics about what I call “hidden markets.” These are markets that we play in constantly but have rules that are more complicated than just deciding whether you want to buy something at a particular price. Hidden markets give out reservations at hot restaurants, tickets to live events, seats in schools (elementary through college and beyond), certain medical care, and chores in the home. They include dating markets, labor markets, and markets for our time and attention. Hidden markets allocate everything from desirable parking spots to life-saving organ transplants.

The book helps readers see these hidden markets, understand their rules, and develop strategies to succeed in them. I tried to make it a fun read. My three kids and my wife are major characters. Some examples come straight from my time at Friends Seminary, like the Friends cafeteria line where I first learned about first-come, first-served lines and how you sometimes had to yell “no back cuts” to make sure they stayed equitable.

What was the inspiration behind writing this book?

I want people to feel empowered. Seeing and understanding the hidden markets they play in helps readers realize that they have agency, even in environments they might have thought were based on chance. This idea gives the book its title; by understanding these hidden markets, you can get “Lucky by Design.”

I also want readers to recognize that there are some hidden markets that are totally in their control, like the market for their time and attention and how they handle responsibilities at home. Thinking this way helped me get better and more intentional about these markets. I’m hopeful the book will help others improve these markets in their own lives as well.

How do you understand the work you do now as bringing about a world that ought to be?

If people are informed and empowered, they can live better, happier, fuller lives. If I can help readers of the book move in this direction, that will get us a little closer.

The book also talks about how we can improve hidden markets, which can help make things more efficient and equitable for everyone.

Are there any other upcoming projects or life events you’d like to share with us? 

I’m just working on getting the word out about Lucky by Design, and I would love it if folks ordered a copy and told their friends about it.