The Afternoon Shift starts its series on ‘Risk’. Some venture capitalists believe Chicago has become more risk-averse, in terms of financing ventures, than the coasts. They say that’s a problem. But risk-taking in finance can be a double-edged sword. First, we’ll talk with award-winning historian Jonathan Levy about the origins of risk as an idea and how ‘risk management’ has evolved. Then we’ll open the floor to debate and invite venture capitalists and economists to discuss the appropriate role of regulation in reducing risk. Where do ethics come in? Greed is part of the human story and markets are not inherently virtuous, so what if anything can be done? In today’s dynamic global marketplace is there a risk in actually trying to tame risk? We will go big picture with Adam Davidson and author of David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants, Malcolm Gladwell. Then, John Levy, assistant professor of history at Princeton and author of Freaks of Fortune, provides history and we take a closer look at Chicago with Kevin Willer,co-founder and partner at Chicago Ventures . Photo credit: Flickr / Caleb Kerr