Freakonomics Radio Make Me a Match (Ep. 209 Update)
28 snips
May 25, 2023 
Al Roth, a Nobel laureate in economics known for his innovative work in market design, joins altruistic kidney donor Ned Brooks, who sparked a donation chain and founded the National Kidney Donation Organization. They discuss how traditional markets fail for sensitive transactions like organ transplants. Roth shares insights on modernizing organ donation systems, the challenges of kidney supply versus demand, and the life-changing impact of matching algorithms. Brooks' personal journey highlights the emotional power of altruism in saving lives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Roth's Nobel Surprise
- Al Roth, a Stanford economics professor, unexpectedly received a Nobel Prize phone call at 3 a.m.
- Despite the early hour, he still taught his 11 a.m. class, which had champagne to celebrate.
Economist as Engineer
- Al Roth, a Nobel laureate in economics, considers himself an engineer.
- His work focuses on market design, applying engineering principles to economic problems.
Matching Markets
- Market design, while ancient, requires intervention when money isn't the primary driver.
- Matching markets, like college admissions or organ donation, exemplify this, as price doesn't solely decide allocation.