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. To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Penicillin allergy is a pervasive medical misdiagnosis affecting over 30 million Americans, yet fewer than 1% of those labeled as allergic are truly sensitive to the drug. This widespread error forces patients to rely on costlier, more toxic, and less effective antibiotics, which significantly increases risks of surgic...
Architecture functions as a form of "pragmatic utopianism," where designers reconcile seemingly contradictory elements to shape the physical world. Bjarke Ingels, founder of the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), emphasizes that architecture is not merely about aesthetic expression but about producing reality through collabora...
Human connection serves as the fundamental driver for meaningful conversation, a principle exemplified by the legendary talk show host Dick Cavett. Moving beyond the performative nature of traditional broadcast television, authentic dialogue requires spontaneity, active listening, and a departure from rigid interview s...
Institutional neutrality serves as a guiding framework for Dartmouth College President Sian Beilock, a cognitive scientist who applies her research on performance under pressure to university leadership. By prioritizing a clear mission centered on education and knowledge production, Beilock aims to restore public trust...
University leadership faces unprecedented pressure from political polarization, declining public trust, and financial instability. Vanderbilt University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier argues that institutional neutrality—a policy where universities refrain from taking official stances on political issues—is essential to p...
Sludge represents the administrative friction and unnecessary complexity that makes life harder for consumers, serving as the antithesis to the "nudge" concept of simplifying choices. While some sludge stems from simple incompetence, such as poorly designed doors or confusing government forms, much of it is a strategic...
Medical aid in dying (MAID) challenges traditional views on autonomy, medical ethics, and the role of the state in end-of-life decisions. The practice, once considered a "repugnant transaction," is gaining legal traction as society grapples with the limitations of modern medicine in preventing prolonged, undignified de...
Backgammon serves as a complex model for decision-making under uncertainty, blending probability with strategic depth. The game’s doubling cube introduces a unique layer of risk management, transforming it from a simple race into a sophisticated exercise in leverage. Experts like Frank Frigo and Marc Olsen demonstrate ...
Air pollution significantly impairs cognitive performance, extending its damage beyond physical health to productivity, memory, and decision-making. Research utilizing data from brain-training apps, professional baseball umpires, and historical census records reveals that even moderate levels of particulate matter—ofte...
Geopolitical instability and the evolving nature of American foreign policy define the current global landscape under the second Trump administration. Foreign policy expert Fareed Zakaria observes that the current administration favors impulsive "jazz improvisation" and personal loyalty over the institutional constrain...
Richard Feynman’s legacy centers on an uncompromising commitment to curiosity, first principles, and the courage to embrace uncertainty. Beyond his Nobel Prize-winning work in quantum electrodynamics, Feynman sought to understand the boundaries of consciousness through unconventional experiences, including visits to th...
Richard Feynman’s legacy as a Nobel Prize-winning physicist remains defined by his profound contributions to quantum electrodynamics and his unconventional, often polarizing, personality. His early work on the Manhattan Project left him deeply disillusioned, fostering a lifelong skepticism toward institutional authorit...
Richard Feynman, a Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist, embodied a unique blend of childlike curiosity, rigorous scientific inquiry, and a relentless pursuit of truth. His legacy extends beyond his foundational contributions to quantum electrodynamics and the Manhattan Project, characterized by his ability to str...
Play serves as a fundamental human activity, transitioning from a developmental necessity in childhood to an often-stigmatized pursuit in adulthood. Games function as complex systems of logic, emotion, and social connection, defining what game designer Eric Zimmerman terms the "ludic century." This cultural shift is re...
Composer David Lang’s oratorio, The Wealth of Nations, transforms Adam Smith’s 250-year-old economic treatise into a profound exploration of human connection and moral responsibility. By blending Smith’s foundational text with diverse historical voices, including Eugene Debs and Franklin D. Roosevelt, the composition c...
Adam Smith, the 18th-century Scottish moral philosopher, has been transformed from a nuanced thinker into a simplified icon of free-market capitalism. While modern political and economic discourse frequently invokes the "invisible hand" to justify deregulation and limited government, this interpretation often ignores S...
David Lang’s oratorio The Wealth of Nations reimagines Adam Smith’s foundational economic text as a musical exploration of human connection and trade. By setting Smith’s 18th-century prose alongside voices like Frederick Douglass and Eugene V. Debs, Lang examines the emotional weight of money and the moral implications...
Epic Systems dominates the electronic health record market by prioritizing integrated software solutions and long-term customer success over profit maximization. Founded in 1979 by CEO Judy Faulkner, the company maintains a unique, bootstrap-driven business model that rejects private equity, venture capital, and public...
The pervasive human animosity toward rats stems from a complex blend of historical trauma, perceived health risks, and the animals' uncanny success in urban environments. While the brown rat is famously linked to the 14th-century Black Death, recent epidemiological models suggest human parasites, rather than rat-borne ...
Decades of Alzheimer’s research have been heavily influenced by the amyloid cascade hypothesis, which posits that beta-amyloid plaque accumulation is the primary driver of the disease. However, investigative journalist Charles Piller and neuroscientist Matthew Schrag argue that this dominant theory has been sustained b...
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