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Freakonomics Radio

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... Read more

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Should Traffic Lights Be Abolished? (Ep. 454 Replay)

Should Traffic Lights Be Abolished? (Ep. 454 Replay)

Americans are so accustomed to the standard intersection that we rarely consider how dangerous it can be — as well as co... Read more

10 Aug 2023

46mins

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Extra: A Modern Whaler Speaks Up

Extra: A Modern Whaler Speaks Up

Bjorn Andersen killed 111 minke whales this season. He tells us how he does it, why he does it, and what he thinks would... Read more

6 Aug 2023

26mins

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552. Freakonomics Radio Presents: The Economics of Everyday Things

552. Freakonomics Radio Presents: The Economics of Everyday Things

In three stories from our newest podcast, host Zachary Crockett digs into sports mascots, cashmere sweaters, and dinosau... Read more

3 Aug 2023

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551. What Can Whales Teach Us About Clean Energy, Workplace Harmony, and Living the Good Life?

551. What Can Whales Teach Us About Clean Energy, Workplace Harmony, and Living the Good Life?

In the final episode of our whale series, we learn about fecal plumes, shipping noise, and why "Moby-Dick" is still wort... Read more

27 Jul 2023

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550. Why Do People Still Hunt Whales?

550. Why Do People Still Hunt Whales?

For years, whale oil was used as lighting fuel, industrial lubricant, and the main ingredient in (yum!) margarine. Whale... Read more

20 Jul 2023

37mins

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549. The First Great American Industry

549. The First Great American Industry

Whaling was, in the words of one scholar, “early capitalism unleashed on the high seas.” How did the U.S. come to domina... Read more

13 Jul 2023

43mins

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548. Why Is the U.S. So Good at Killing Pedestrians?

548. Why Is the U.S. So Good at Killing Pedestrians?

Actually, the reasons are pretty clear. The harder question is: Will we ever care enough to stop?

6 Jul 2023

44mins

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Why Did You Marry That Person? (Ep. 511 Replay)

Why Did You Marry That Person? (Ep. 511 Replay)

Sure, you were “in love.” But economists — using evidence from Bridgerton to Tinder — point to what’s called “assortativ... Read more

29 Jun 2023

47mins

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547. Satya Nadella’s Intelligence Is Not Artificial

547. Satya Nadella’s Intelligence Is Not Artificial

But as C.E.O. of the resurgent Microsoft, he is firmly at the center of the A.I. revolution. We speak with him about the... Read more

22 Jun 2023

36mins

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546. Are E.S.G. Investors Actually Helping the Environment?

546. Are E.S.G. Investors Actually Helping the Environment?

Probably not. The economist Kelly Shue argues that E.S.G. investing just gives more money to firms that are already gree... Read more

15 Jun 2023

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