Zero Down

Arthashastra, Miranda House

A space aimed at exploring the world through the eyes of an economist, and making concepts fun, relatable, and real.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    77. ZDP Shots : Game Theory in Relationships & Friendships: Strategic Choices in Everyday Human Interaction

    Ever wondered why you hesitate before texting first, overthink double texts, or feel stuck planning outings that never happen? Turns out, you’ve been using game theory all along. In this episode of the Zero Down Podcast by Arthashastra, Miranda House, Poorti and Mahak explore how economic concepts like the Prisoner’s Dilemma, Nash Equilibrium, Tit-for-Tat, free-riding, and signalling show up in everyday human interactions. From friendships to roommates, group projects, social media, and conflict resolution, we break down how strategic thinking shapes trust, cooperation, and decision-making. Light, fun, and deeply relatable, this episode connects economics to real life, because sometimes, understanding relationships is just about understanding the game.

    8 min

  2. 14 JAN

    76. ZDP Shots: Cupid's Market: The Price of a Perfect Match

    Swipe into the chaos of modern romance with Devanshi and Tanvi as they unpack the Economics of Online Dating. From right-swipes to ghosting seasons, they explore how attention became a currency, why some profiles explode in demand while others get buried, and how apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge ended up running an oligopoly on our love lives. They dive into supply-demand curves on attraction, sunk cost fallacies in texting, and how freemium “premium love” became a business model. A fun, sharp look at why dating in 2025 feels more like a marketplace than ever.

    7 min

  3. 30/09/2025

    75. Unboxing the Economics Of Labubus

    Labubu isn’t just a collectable — it’s a billion dollar hype machine. In this episode we break down how Labubus made their way into the market, why blind boxes are so addictive and how Pop mart made a brilliant use of the hype.

    15 min

  4. 23/09/2025

    74. Concert-o-nomics

    Concerts aren’t just about the music anymore! they’re an entire economy of their own. In this episode, Nandinii and Vanshika explore the fascinating economics behind the rise of concert culture, especially in India. From the multiplier effect that fuels local businesses every time a major gig comes to town, to the booming resell culture and parallel ticket economy that fans either hate or can’t escape, we dive deep into the financial ripple effects of live music. We also talk about Coldplay’s much-awaited India show, and how Gen Z views concerts as part of the ‘experience economy’.

    8 min

  5. 31/08/2025

    73. The Sarojini Playbook

    Join Bhadra and Kashish as they turn a shopping trip to Delhi’s iconic Sarojini Nagar into a crash course in game theory. From bargaining tricks and price wars to the Nash Equilibrium and the Prisoner’s Dilemma, this episode uncovers the hidden strategies behind every deal. Witty, sharp, and full of real-world insights, it’s the economic playbook you didn’t know you needed for your next Sarojini haul.

    8 min

  6. 30/08/2025

    72. Moves, Counter-Moves and Alliances

    Have you freshly turned into a voter? Are you wondering whom to vote for?  Before you decide, dive into this podcast and walk with Gargi and Anusmita around the world of politics looked at through the lens of Game Theory. Discover the various kinds of games played by political parties and unveil what goes on in the minds of every voter simultaneously that impacts on the election results. Yes, this is where Strategy meets Power and Psychology meets Diplomacy.

    13 min

  7. 10/08/2025

    71. Game Theory and South Asia's Nuclear Strategy: India and Pakistan in focus

    In this episode, Nandinii and Manya use game theory to unpack India and Pakistan's nuclear strategies. Through the classic Prisoner's Dilemma experiment, they explore how strategic decisions, mutual distrust, and historical tensions direct the prospect of peace and conflict in one of the most volatile nuclear flashpoints - and what it would take to break the cycle

    11 min

  8. 31/07/2025

    70. Debt Trap Diplomacy – Is China Really to Blame?

    Is China helping countries grow or trapping them in debt? In this episode of Zero Down, Priyadarshini and Manya explore the geopolitical motives and economic impacts behind unsustainable debt practices. From ports in Sri Lanka to railways in Africa, we look who's gaining, who's slipping, and what it means for global power dynamics.

    11 min
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About

A space aimed at exploring the world through the eyes of an economist, and making concepts fun, relatable, and real.

Information

  • Creator
    Arthashastra, Miranda House
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 Arthashastra, Miranda House
  • Show Website
    Zero Down