#TimetoMeet: Philipp Harms

In your opinion, what is the most important challenge of our time?

The biggest challenge of our time is to sustain peace and international cooperation. There are enormous problems that mankind has to solve (the looming climate crisis, the aging of societies etc.) and that require a joint effort of all countries.

 

Time is money, so as an economist what would you like to invest more time in?

I definitely could use more time to read other scientists’ work. The privilege of being in academia is the possibility to absorb and to reflect on your colleagues’ innovative and inspiring thoughts. Unfortunately, daily business leaves you little time to fully take advantage of this.

And which activity do you find the biggest waste of time?

Preparing and sitting through faculty meetings.

 

If you had a free ride on a time machine, what year would you travel to?

Leipzig, Good Friday of 1727, when Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion was performed for the first time. Oddly (and shockingly) nobody publicly acknowledged the breathtaking quality of this masterpiece during Bach’s lifetime. I would have loved to step in.

 

Which is your favorite time of the year, and why?

Actually, my favorite time of the year is the time when I usually teach at Gerzensee (early March). Winter is slowly giving way to spring, the first flowers are blossoming on the Study Center premises, the Swiss Alps are still covered with snow, but there are already some warm days to enjoy. Nature is full of hope and promise.