Podcast Episodes

159. “It’s Fun to Smoke Marijuana”

Episode 159

A psychology professor argues that the brain's greatest attribute is knowing what other people are thinking. And that a Queen song, played backwards, can improve your mind-reading skills.

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Published on 11 years, 9 months ago

158. Is Learning a Foreign Language Really Worth It?

Episode 158

Yes, it expands the mind but we usually don't retain much -- and then there's the opportunity cost.

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Published on 11 years, 9 months ago

157. Why Are Japanese Homes Disposable?

Episode 157

In most countries, houses get more valuable over time. In Japan, a new buyer will often bulldoze the home. We'll tell you why.

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Published on 11 years, 10 months ago

156. Why Marry? (Part 2)

Episode 156

The consequences of our low marriage rate -- and if the old model is less attractive, how about a new one?

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Published on 11 years, 10 months ago

155. Why Marry? (Part 1)

Episode 155

The myths of modern marriage.

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Published on 11 years, 10 months ago

154. What You Don’t Know About Online Dating

Episode 154

Thick markets, thin markets, and the triumph of attributes over compatibility.
This episode is included in the Freakonomics #smartbinge podcast playlist at wnyc.org/smartbinge

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Published on 11 years, 10 months ago

153. Reasons to Not Be Ugly

Episode 153

The "beauty premium" is real, for everyone from babies to NFL quarterbacks.

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Published on 11 years, 11 months ago

152. Everybody Gossips (and That’s a Good Thing)

Episode 152

The benefits of rumor-mongering

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Published on 11 years, 11 months ago

Fear Thy Nature (Rebroadcast)

What "Sleep No More" and the Stanford Prison Experiment tell us about who we really are.

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Published on 11 years, 11 months ago

151. Are We Ready to Legalize Drugs? And Other FREAK-Quently Asked Questions

Episode 151

Dubner and Levitt talk about fixing the post office, putting cameras in the classroom, and wearing hats.

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Published on 11 years, 11 months ago