Freakonomics Radio
Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
Freakonomics co-author Stephen J. Dubner uncovers the hidden side of everything. Why is it safer to fly in an airplane than drive a car? How do we decide whom to marry? Why is the media so full of bad news? Also: things you never knew you wanted to know about wolves, bananas, pollution, search engines, and the quirks of human behavior.
To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
To get every show in the Freakonomics Radio Network without ads and a monthly bonus episode of Freakonomics Radio, start a free trial for SiriusXM Podcasts+ on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus.
Episodes
Mentioned books
10 snips
Sep 8, 2016 • 38min
258. Why Uber Is an Economist’s Dream
This podcast explores the economic perspective on Uber, discussing transportation preferences in New York, the value of demand curves in economics, surge pricing during disasters, and the consumer surplus created by Uber. It also teases an upcoming interview with libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson.
Sep 1, 2016 • 35min
257. The Future (Probably) Isn’t as Scary as You Think
A podcast delving into the worries and perceptions surrounding the future, while exploring technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence and autonomous cars. It highlights the potential impact on employment and the winners and losers in the future. The discussion also touches on the intersection of technology, comedy, and economics, with insights gained from analyzing Pokemon Go and Uber data.
Aug 25, 2016 • 38min
Are You Ready for a Glorious Sunset? (Rebroadcast)
The gist: we spend billions on end-of-life healthcare that doesn’t do much good. So what if a patient could forego the standard treatment and get a cash rebate instead?
Aug 18, 2016 • 31min
Aziz Ansari Needs Another Toothbrush (Rebroadcast)
The comedian, actor -- and now, author -- answers our FREAK-quently Asked Questions.
Aug 11, 2016 • 35min
256. What Are You Waiting For?
Standing in line represents a particularly sloppy - and frustrating - way for supply and demand to meet. Why haven't we found a better way to get what we want? Is it possible that we secretly enjoy waiting in line? And might it even be (gulp) good for us?
Aug 4, 2016 • 52min
Is It Okay for Restaurants to Racially Profile Their Employees? (Rebroadcast)
We seem to have decided that ethnic food tastes better when it's served by people of that ethnicity (or at least something close). Does this make sense -- and is it legal?
8 snips
Jul 28, 2016 • 43min
255. Ten Ideas to Make Politics Less Rotten
Exploring electoral and political ideas to improve the current system in the US, including open primaries, ranked choice voting, and mandatory voting. Discussing the impact of live audiences on presidential debates and proposing reforms to the US Constitution. Analyzing the effects of the 2000 election and exit polls on voter turnout.
Jul 21, 2016 • 37min
254. What Are Gender Barriers Made Of?
Overt discrimination in the labor markets may be on the wane, but women are still subtly penalized by all sorts of societal conventions. How can those penalties be removed without burning down the house?
Jul 14, 2016 • 48min
253. Is the Internet Being Ruined?
It's a remarkable ecosystem that allows each of us to exercise control over our lives. But how much control do we truly have? How many of our decisions are really being made by Google and Facebook and Apple? And, perhaps most importantly: is the Internet's true potential being squandered?
Jul 7, 2016 • 44min
252. Confessions of a Pothole Politician
Eric Garcetti, the mayor of Los Angeles, has big ambitions but knows he must first master the small stuff. He's also a polymath who relies heavily on data and new technologies. Could this be what modern politics is supposed to look like?
