More or Less

Simon French, Chief Economist at Panmure Liberum, and Katie Martin, Markets columnist at the Financial Times, dive into the booming stock market driven by AI excitement. They discuss the $28–30 trillion rally, the challenges of identifying AI stocks, and the alarming historical valuations reminiscent of the dot-com era. Katie highlights the concentration of power in the 'Magnificent Seven' tech giants, raising single-point failure risks. Both experts caution on the parallels with past market bubbles, urging careful risk management as warning signals intensify.

Bernie Sanders says a vast amount of wealth - $50 trillion - has moved from 90% of the population to the wealthiest Americans since the 1970s. The figure comes from a study by Carter Price, a senior mathematician at nonprofit research institute the RAND Corporation.Tim Harford speaks to Carter to understand how he calculated his figures and what they really mean.If you’ve seen a number in the news you think we should take a look at, email moreorless@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Tim Harford Producer: Nicolas Barrett Series producer: Tom Colls Sound mix: Giles Aspen Editor: Richard Vadon

Dianna Magliano, a diabetes epidemiologist and co-author of the Diabetes Atlas, dives into the alarming rise of diabetes worldwide. She debunks claims that 50% of China's population is diabetic, noting the actual rate is around 11.9%. Dianna discusses how urbanization, changing diets, and genetics have fueled this surge in diabetes rates. They also highlight the concerning trend of type 2 diabetes appearing in younger populations and express cautious optimism about improving lifestyles in wealthier countries.

Historian Dénes Harai, known for his work on early modern history, dives into the dark legacy of Vlad III Dracula, famously dubbed 'Vlad the Impaler.' He explores whether the claim of over 20,000 impalements is fact or fiction. Harai dissects contemporary accounts versus exaggerated pamphlets, revealing that a more accurate estimate is around 2,000 victims. He discusses the political context of Vlad's reign and the brutal medieval punishment of impalement, giving listeners an intriguing glimpse into the math behind the myth.

Corinne Lowe, an associate professor at the Wharton School and author of 'Feminomics,' delves into the dynamics of housework and gender. She reveals that while women have increased their paid work, their unpaid labor at home remains disproportionately high. Shockingly, even female breadwinners are still doing twice as much housework as their male partners. Corinne challenges traditional economic theories, arguing that entrenched gender roles are the real culprits behind this imbalance. Tune in for insights that could change your perspective on household responsibilities!

This week, the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences celebrates Joel Mokyr, Philippe Aghion, and Peter Howitt for their groundbreaking work on innovation-driven growth. Discover why economic growth is key to improving living standards. Explore Mokyr's insights into the Industrial Revolution's growth surge and the intriguing concept of creative destruction, where new technologies disrupt old industries. Lastly, delve into the Aghion-Howitt model that links incentives in research to sustainable economic progress.

Journalist Nathan Gower delves into the claims about who qualifies for Motability cars, revealing that far fewer people with ADHD and anxiety qualify than suggested. He also discusses proposed changes to inheritance tax for farmers, highlighting how around 30% may face increased burdens. Additionally, he explains Movember's striking statistic about premature male deaths, and Tim Harford explores how data can optimize marathon training. The conversation is a fascinating mix of debunking myths and analyzing critical social metrics.

The podcast dives into the surprising statistic that 72% of Swiss prisoners are foreign nationals, originally highlighted by Trump. Professor Marcelo Aebi explains that geography, crime tourism, and treatment of asylum seekers contribute to this phenomenon. The discussion clarifies who counts as a foreign prisoner and reveals how legal residency impacts conviction rates. High rates of pre-trial detention for foreigners and comparisons with other European countries like Germany and Greece are also explored, shedding light on the complexity behind these numbers.

Tim Harford dives into the claim that over half of the UK gets more in benefits than they pay in taxes, revealing surprising truths. He questions whether billionaires can indeed earn more overnight than an entire city. The discussion also explores if older generations are becoming cognitively sharper. And did 77% of Gen Z really bring a parent to job interviews? The investigation reveals flaws in survey methods. Get ready for a statistical rollercoaster through claims and misconceptions!

In a world seemingly filled with gloom, new data suggests there’s a global trend of increasing optimism and improved living conditions. Tim Harford chats with Gallup's Benedict Vigers about the positive findings from the Gallup World Poll. Despite local pessimism, it appears more people around the globe are thriving and hopeful for the future. The conversation dives into what these statistics mean for our understanding of progress and well-being in modern society.