Freakonomics Radio EXTRA: The Downside of Disgust (Update)
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Mar 5, 2025 
Join Paul Rozin, a psychology professor, Val Curtis, a disgustologist, and economist Sandro Ambuehl as they dive into the fascinating world of disgust. They discuss how this powerful emotion evolved to protect us but may also hinder progress in areas like health and the environment. The trio explores cultural attitudes toward eating insects as a sustainable protein source, the dual nature of disgust as both a deterrent and motivator, and the groundbreaking hand hygiene campaign in Ghana that leveraged disgust to promote better practices.
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Disgust and Food
- Disgust, likely rooted in survival instincts, influences food choices.
- It varies greatly, from mild aversion to extreme sensitivity.
Cultural Disgust
- Universally disgusting things like feces are rare.
- Cultural norms heavily influence what is considered disgusting.
Rozin's Disgust
- Paul Rozin, a disgust expert, has unusual eating habits.
- He'd eat dog, roadkill, or even human flesh out of curiosity.