715 episodes

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.

Freakonomics Radio Freakonomics Radio

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.5 • 28.7K Ratings

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.

    558. When Did Marriage Become a Luxury Good?

    558. When Did Marriage Become a Luxury Good?

    U.S. marriage rates have plummeted. But the babies keep coming, and the U.S. now leads the world in single-parent households. In her new book "The Two-Parent Privilege," the economist Melissa Kearney says this is a huge problem, and that it’s time for liberals to face the facts. Plus: our friends at "Atlas Obscura" explore just how many parents a kid can have.

    • 1 hr 2 min
    557. When Is a Superstar Just Another Employee?

    557. When Is a Superstar Just Another Employee?

    The union that represents N.F.L. players conducted their first-ever survey of workplace conditions, and issued a report card to all 32 teams. What did the survey reveal? Clogged showers, rats in the locker room — and some helpful insights for those of us who don’t play pro football.

    • 1 hr
    556. A.I. Is Changing Everything. Does That Include You?

    556. A.I. Is Changing Everything. Does That Include You?

    For all the speculation about the future, A.I. tools can be useful right now. Adam Davidson discovers what they can help us do, how we can get the most from them — and why the things that make them helpful also make them dangerous. (Part 3 of "How to Think About A.I.")

    • 48 min
    555. New Technologies Always Scare Us. Is A.I. Any Different?

    555. New Technologies Always Scare Us. Is A.I. Any Different?

    Guest host Adam Davidson looks at what might happen to your job in a world of human-level artificial intelligence, and asks when it might be time to worry that the machines have become too powerful. (Part 2 of "How to Think About A.I.")

    • 47 min
    554. Can A.I. Take a Joke?

    554. Can A.I. Take a Joke?

    Artificial intelligence, we’ve been told, will destroy humankind. No, wait — it will usher in a new age of human flourishing! Guest host Adam Davidson (co-founder of "Planet Money") sorts through the big claims about A.I.'s future by exploring its past and present — and whether it has a sense of humor. (Part 1 of "How to Think About A.I.")

    • 48 min
    553. The Suddenly Diplomatic Rahm Emanuel

    553. The Suddenly Diplomatic Rahm Emanuel

    The famously profane politician and operative is now U.S. ambassador to Japan, where he’s trying to rewrite the rules of diplomacy. But don’t worry: When it comes to China, he’s every bit as combative as you’d expect.

    • 56 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
28.7K Ratings

28.7K Ratings

SCorch1115 ,

Really fun

Freakonomics makes things you never cared to think about or thought would be entertaining REALLY freaking entertaining!
Production level and presentation are not only fun but very well thought out. A listener can tell the host and those contributing are having a great time and are enthused about each subject.

Fyliao ,

Good podcast UNTIL the “When Is a Superstar Just Another Employee?” episode

These athletes have high-paying jobs yet whining about locker rooms and not good enough perks? Come on! Use your high salary to solve your own problems. I don’t care. Some people have to worry about putting food on the table. Some worries about when a war is going to end. Some worry about when the next environmental disaster is going to happen. Jason KELCE’s survey serves no importance to most people. Out of touch.

oceantrailer123 ,

An oldie but a goodie!!

This show never gets old or boring, even after so many years. I never miss an episode. Thanks Dubner!

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