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312. Not Your Grandmother’s I.M.F.
Episode 312
The International Monetary Fund has long been the "lender of last resort" for economies in crisis. Christine Lagarde, who runs the institution, would…
8 years, 3 months ago
311. Why Is the Live-Event Ticket Market So Screwed Up?
Episode 311
The public has almost no chance to buy good tickets to the best events. Ticket brokers, meanwhile, make huge profits on the secondary markets. Here's…
8 years, 3 months ago
310. Are We Running Out of Ideas?
Episode 310
Economists have a hard time explaining why productivity growth has been shrinking. One theory: true innovation has gotten much harder – and much more…
8 years, 3 months ago
Is America Ready for a “No-Lose Lottery”? (Update)
Most people don't enjoy the simple, boring act of putting money in a savings account. But we do love to play the lottery. So what if you combine the …
8 years, 3 months ago
309. Nurses to the Rescue!
Episode 309
They are the most-trusted profession in America (and with good reason). They are critical to patient outcomes (especially in primary care). Could the…
8 years, 3 months ago
308. How Can I Do the Most Social Good With $100? And Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions
Episode 308
Dubner and his Freakonomics co-author Steve Levitt answer your questions about crime, traffic, real-estate agents, the Ph.D. glut, and how to not get…
8 years, 4 months ago
Why Is There So Much Ground Beef in the World? (Special Feature)
In this live episode of "Tell Me Something I Don't Know," you'll learn about carcass balancing, teen sleeping, and brand naming. Joining Stephen J. D…
8 years, 4 months ago
307. Thinking Is Expensive. Who’s Supposed to Pay for It?
Episode 307
Corporations and rich people donate billions to their favorite think tanks and foundations. Should we be grateful for their generosity — or suspiciou…
8 years, 4 months ago
306. How to Launch a Behavior-Change Revolution
Episode 306
Academic studies are nice, and so are Nobel Prizes. But to truly prove the value of a new idea, you have to unleash it to the masses. That's what a d…
8 years, 4 months ago
305. The Demonization of Gluten
Episode 305
Celiac disease is thought to affect roughly one percent of the population. The good news: it can be treated by quitting gluten. The bad news: many ce…
8 years, 4 months ago