No Stupid Questions 48. Do Good Deeds Invite More Bad Ones?
62 snips
Nov 16, 2025 Dive into a whimsical yet thought-provoking conversation about the implications of doing good deeds, like picking up after pets, and how they might inadvertently lead to moral hazards. Explore strategies for addressing neighborhood issues—do we punish misbehavior or seek practical solutions? The hosts debate the complexities of significant life choices, like marriage and parenting, and emphasize the importance of finding purpose. They even suggest turning dog waste into compost as a market-driven solution. It's a blend of humor, philosophy, and practical insights!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Poop Angel Converts To Neighborhood Dump
- Angela Duckworth describes her husband Jason acting as a "poop angel" by installing a trash can to collect dog waste from inconsiderate owners.
- The solution worked short-term but made their house the neighborhood dump and created maintenance burdens they couldn't sustain.
Solutions Can Create Moral Hazard
- Stephen Dubner and Angela discuss moral hazard: making a problem easier can unintentionally encourage irresponsible behavior.
- Examples include football helmets used as weapons and flood insurance encouraging dwellings in risky areas.
Design Environments To Nudge Better Behavior
- Use Lewin-style problem solving: change environments or incentives instead of only punishing offenders.
- Make the desired behavior easier to do rather than relying solely on surveillance or punishment.
