Minds blown: are we getting dumber?

In this episode of the Economist Intelligence podcast, three intriguing topics are discussed. First, a recent survey shows that many adults in developed countries have reading and math skills akin to those of 10-year-olds. Next, the podcast explores the unexpected resilience of the Russian economy amid sanctions and high interest rates, which seems driven by wartime spending but is ultimately not sustainable. Finally, it features an obituary for Shalom Nagar, the Israeli prison officer who executed Adolf Eichmann, reflecting on the deep psychological effects of that moment and Nagar’s journey toward reconciliation through faith.