Stephen J. Dubner | from Design Matters

This episode of Design Matters features Debbie Millman interviewing Stephen J. Dubner, co-creator of Freakonomics, about his life, career, and the 20th anniversary of his influential book. Dubner recounts his childhood, including his early writing success and his family's conversion from Judaism to Catholicism, which later influenced his own return to Judaism. He discusses his musical aspirations, his transition to writing, and the genesis of Freakonomics, reflecting on the importance of curiosity, courage, and intellectual honesty. The conversation also touches on his upcoming TV show and his evolving perspective on fame and anonymity, as well as the role of data-driven storytelling in journalism and economics.