Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior.
693 Available Episodes (693 Total)Average duration: 00:39:13
Apr 20, 2023
540. Swearing Is More Important Than You Think
00:44:55
Every language has its taboo words (which many people use all the time). But the list of forbidden words is always changing — and those changes tell us some surprising things about ourselves.
Apr 13, 2023
539. Why Does One Tiny State Set the Rules for Everyone?
00:46:59
Delaware is beloved by corporations, bankruptcy lawyers, tax avoiders, and money launderers. Critics say the Delaware “franchise” is undemocratic and corrupt. Insiders say it’s wildly efficient. We say: they’re both right.
Apr 06, 2023
538. A Radically Simple Way to Boost a Neighborhood
00:47:30
Many companies say they want to create more opportunities for Black Americans. One company is doing something concrete about it. We visit the South Side of Chicago to see how it’s working out.
Mar 30, 2023
How to Hate Taxes a Little Bit Less (Ep. 400 Replay)
00:43:29
Every year, Americans short the I.R.S. nearly half a trillion dollars. Most ideas to increase compliance are more stick than carrot — scary letters, audits, and penalties. But what if we gave taxpayers a chance to allocate how their money is spent, or even bribed them with a thank-you gift?
Mar 23, 2023
537. “Insurance Is Sexy.” Discuss.
00:52:32
In this installment of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club, the economist Amy Finkelstein explains why insurance markets are broken and how to fix them. Also: why can’t you buy divorce insurance?
Mar 16, 2023
Why Are There So Many Bad Bosses? (Ep. 495 Replay)
00:49:53
People who are good at their jobs routinely get promoted into bigger jobs they’re bad at. We explain why firms keep producing incompetent managers — and why that’s unlikely to change.
Mar 09, 2023
536. Is Your Plane Ticket Too Expensive — or Too Cheap?
00:58:00
Most travelers want the cheapest flight they can find. Airlines, meanwhile, need to manage volatile fuel costs, a pricey workforce, and complex logistics. So how do they make money — and how did America’s grubbiest airport suddenly turn into a palace? (Part 3 of “Freakonomics Radio Takes to the Skies.”)
Mar 02, 2023
535. Why Is Flying Safer Than Driving?
00:56:20
Thanks to decades of work by airlines and regulators, plane crashes are nearly a thing of the past. Can we do the same for cars? (Part 2 of “Freakonomics Radio Takes to the Skies.”)
Feb 23, 2023
534. Air Travel Is a Miracle. Why Do We Hate It?
00:58:20
It’s an unnatural activity that has become normal. You’re stuck in a metal tube with hundreds of strangers (and strange smells), defying gravity and racing through the sky. But oh, the places you’ll go! We visit the world’s busiest airport to see how it all comes together. (Part 1 of “Freakonomics Radio Takes to the Skies.”)
Feb 16, 2023
Why Does the Most Monotonous Job in the World Pay $1 Million? (Ep. 493 Update)
00:53:00
Adam Smith famously argued that specialization is the key to prosperity. In the N.F.L., the long snapper is proof of that argument. Here’s everything there is to know about a job that didn’t used to exist.
Apr 20 | 00:44:55
540. Swearing Is More Important Than You Think
Apr 13 | 00:46:59
539. Why Does One Tiny State Set the Rules for Everyone?
Apr 06 | 00:47:30
538. A Radically Simple Way to Boost a Neighborhood
Mar 30 | 00:43:29
How to Hate Taxes a Little Bit Less (Ep. 400 Replay)
Mar 23 | 00:52:32
537. “Insurance Is Sexy.” Discuss.
Mar 16 | 00:49:53
Why Are There So Many Bad Bosses? (Ep. 495 Replay)
Mar 09 | 00:58:00
536. Is Your Plane Ticket Too Expensive — or Too Cheap?
Mar 02 | 00:56:20
535. Why Is Flying Safer Than Driving?
Feb 23 | 00:58:20
534. Air Travel Is a Miracle. Why Do We Hate It?
Feb 16 | 00:53:00
Why Does the Most Monotonous Job in the World Pay $1 Million? (Ep. 493 Update)
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