An Ounce of Pleasure, a Gallon of Pain
Lecturing on divorce today, I was reminded of the refrain in Clay Walker‘s song, Then What: “Then what, what you gonna do, when the new wears off and the old…
Academic studies are nice, and so are Nobel Prizes. But to truly prove the value of a new idea, you have to unleash it to the masses. That’s what a…
The tradition of sending cards to loved ones was in decline — until it was rescued by a new generation. But millennials have their own ideas about what sentiments they…
Suleika Jaouad was diagnosed with cancer at 22. She made her illness the subject of a New York Times column and a memoir, Between Two Kingdoms. She and Steve talk…
For Black men, the barbershop is a neighborhood hub. It could also be a place for them to get medical care. Plus: What happens to patients when affirmative action ends?…
Daron Acemoglu was just awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in economics. Earlier this year, he and Steve talked about his groundbreaking research on what makes countries succeed or fail….
Behind that 70% off sign, there’s a liquidation consultant trying to maximize retailer profits. Zachary Crockett seeks a deal….
Ken Goldberg is at the forefront of robotics — which means he tries to teach machines to do things humans find trivial….
Lecturing on divorce today, I was reminded of the refrain in Clay Walker‘s song, Then What: “Then what, what you gonna do, when the new wears off and the old…
Do humans need touch to survive? Do any of us get enough touch throughout our lives? And why doesn’t Angela want to hug anyone for eight seconds?…
When security cameras and facial recognition tools fail, law enforcement investigators fall back on a witness’s memory and an artist’s hand. Zachary Crockett’s nose was a little bigger than that….
(Photo: Daniel Lobo) The American Medical Association resolved this week that “there is no scientific justification for special labeling of bioengineered foods.” The association has long-held that nothing about the…
Conventional programs tend to be expensive, onerous, and ineffective. Could something as simple (and cheap) as cognitive behavioral therapy do the trick?
Why do we tell kids that a fairy will give them cash in exchange for their teeth? How should we talk to them about scary things in the world? And…
In the long run, the increasing opportunity cost of people’s time, as wages rise, is one of the most important driving forces in economic behavior. Much of our racing around…
Tow-truck drivers: roadside rescuers or car confiscators? Zachary Crockett gets hooked….
Why does treating a venomous snake bite cost as much as a house? Zachary Crockett slithers over to North Carolina to find out….
I’m trying to decide what to do about train travel during our 5-month sabbatical in Germany. For $55 I can buy a card that gives me a 25 percent discount…
…debates: The highlights: * Annamaria Lusardi, Daniel Schneider and Peter Tufano on Household Financial Fragility * Eric Swanson on Operation Twist: Quantitative Easing in the 1960s * Greg Mankiw and…
Also: what is the most significant choice you will ever make?…
Is it better to explain a mistake or just accept responsibility? What’s the difference between an excuse and a justification? And why is it important to remember that you’re not…
…of it attributed to Daniel Patrick Moynihan, but it would be fun to know if he’s the origin, or if he quoted someone else.” This is often attributed to Moynihan….
…particularly violent crime, is very weak.) In England, meanwhile, a priest encourages people to steal — from big-name stores and only if they really need it. (HT: Daniel Lippman) [%comments]…
Public bathrooms are noisy, poorly designed, and often nonexistent. What to do?
…whether you’re smiling. The technology was first developed to help autistic individuals with expression recognition. Daniel McDuff, the researcher in charge, is collecting data for this project. If you have…
In her book, Rumbles, medical historian Elsa Richardson explores the history of the human gut. She talks with Steve about dubious medical practices, gruesome tales of survival, and the things…
Twenty years ago, before the Freakonomics book tour, Bill McGowan taught Steve Levitt to speak in public. In his new book he tries to teach everyone else….
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?
Why do some activities tire your brain more than others? How exhausting is poverty? And could most of the world’s problems be solved with a sandwich?…
