There are enough management consultants these days to form a small nation. But what do they actually do? And does it work?
Economists are a notoriously self-interested bunch. But a British outfit called Pro Bono Economics is giving away its services to selected charities.
College, at its best, is about learning to think. Stephen Dubner chats up three of his former professors who made the magic happen.
Who better than an economist to help with your shopping list?
Dubner’s childhood home goes from sacred to profane — and then back again.
It’s harder than you’d think to measure the value of a boss. But some enterprising economists have done just that — and the news is good.
Levitt and Dubner answer your questions about driving, sneezing, and ladies’ nights. Plus a remembrance of Levitt’s sister Linda.
Why do Hall of Fame inductees, Oscar winners, and Nobel laureates outlive their peers?
The very long reach of Winston Churchill — and how the British government is remaking copyright law.
Steve Levitt has a novel idea for helping people make tough decisions.
Our latest Freakonomics Radio podcast is called “Would You Let a Coin Toss Decide Your Future?”
It is startlingly easy to create false memories, especially in politics.
No one wants mass shootings. Unfortunately, no one has a workable plan to stop them either.
The gas tax doesn’t work well, and it’s only going to get worse. What’s next?
Sure, we all like to hear compliments. But if you’re truly looking to get better at something, it’s the negative feedback that will get you there.
The N.C.A.A. basketball tournament grabs a lot of eyeballs, but turning them into dollars hasn’t always been easy — even when the “talent” is playing for free.
Real tax reform may or may not ever happen. In the meantime, how about making the current system work a bit better?
A kid’s name can tell us something about his parents — their race, social standing, even their politics. But is your name really your destiny?
In many states, it is perfectly legal to not hire someone who smokes. Should employers also be able to weed out junk-food lovers or motorcyclists — or anyone who wants to have a baby?
An interview with Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, whose younger brother turned him in — and what it says about the Boston bombers.
Why is unemployment still so high? It may be because of something that happened well before the Great Recession.
Dubner and Levitt talk about circadian rhythms, gay marriage, autism, and whether “pay what you want” is everything it’s cracked up to be.
Yet another reason to blame your parents for pretty much everything.
You might think that someone with a 50-50 chance of getting a fatal disease would want to know for sure — but you would be wrong. What does this say about our supposed thirst for certainty?
What does “Pride and Prejudice” have to do with nuclear deterrence?
The Encyclopedia of Ethical Failures catalogs the fiscal, sexual, and mental lapses of federal workers — all with an eye toward preventing the next big mistake.
You know the saying: a winner never quits and a quitter never wins. To which Freakonomics Radio says … Are you sure?
Even American parents have a strong “son preference” — which means that a newborn daughter can be bad news for a marriage.
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