The Weekend Intelligence from The Economist

The Economist
The Economist
  • 4.0 (7)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

One story, vividly told. Join The Economist’s correspondents from around the world as they step back from the news to report on the people, places and ideas that matter most to them and shape all our lives. Published every Saturday. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page at https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1d ago • Subscribers Only

    Laugh, think, move

    FOR 35 years the Ig Nobel prizes—given for “research that makes people laugh, then think”—have been awarded at a madcap ceremony in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The “laugh” part highlights the sillier side of science; the “think” part reveals the same creative inquiry that drives the more dour-seeming side. Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”, speaks to the prizes’ founder and past winners about the grave reasons the ceremony is moving this year to Zurich. Topics covered: Ig Nobel prizes Nobel prizes scientific inquiry American science policy Guests: Marc Abrahams, founder, Ig Nobel prizes Marie Dacke, professor of sensory biology, Lund University Sir Andre Geim, professor of physics, University of Manchester David Kaiser, professor of physics and professor of the history of science, MIT Luca Luiselli, president, Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation and Co-operation Links to other episodes: The Weekend Intelligence: Science under siege The Weekend Intelligence: The War on Animal Research Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. *************** This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com. Read more about how we are using AI.

    Laugh, think, move

  2. Aug 21 • Subscribers Only

    Grave friends

    Around 30% of Japan’s population is now over 65 and record numbers of people are dying. The weight of those deaths is falling on fewer shoulders, as births decline and the younger generation shrinks. On The Weekend Intelligence our East Asia reporter, Moeka Iida reports on kodokushi or "lonely deaths” and meets people finding ways to make the end of life less solitary. Topics covered: Aging society Lonely death Death cleaning End-of-life planning “Grave friends” Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com. Read more about how we are using AI.

    Grave friends

  3. Aug 12 • Subscribers Only

    TikTok humanitarianism

    As aid systems come under growing strain, a new form of giving is emerging online. Catherine Brahic follows two people in Gaza who have come to rely on crowdfunding to survive. She also meets the volunteers who have become their fundraisers, and asks what happens when humanitarian aid is shaped by algorithms not institutions. Guests and host: Catherine Brahic, The Economist’s Environment Editor Rosie Blau, co-host of ‘The Intelligence’ Sami Alshannat, agricultural engineer in Gaza Alaa Jaber, teacher in Gaza Natalie Naudus, audiobook narrator and donor Josh Leigh, digital fundraising consultant Olga Boichack, media scholar at the University of Sydney Topics covered: Charity Crowdfunding Social media Gaza Ukraine Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Music by Ahmed Muin Abu Amsha & Gaza Birds Singing, blue dot and Epidemic. This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com.

    TikTok humanitarianism

  4. Aug 7 • Subscribers Only

    Attention, please!

    What do medieval monks, Brazilian leftists and New York academics have in common? They all want to know where our attention has gone. How can we regain our focus? Barclay Bram visits The Strother School of Radical Attention in New York to find out. The founders hope to build a political movement to fight big tech’s domination of our attention. Their methods might not be what you expect. Guests and host: Barclay Bram, presenter and senior producer of ‘The Weekend Intelligence’ D Graham Burnett, historian and co-founder of the Strother School of Radical Attention Alyssa Loh, filmmaker, writer, and faculty member at the Strother School of Radical Attention Peter Schmidt, programme director at the Strother School of Radical Attention Jamie Kreiner, historian of the early Middle Ages at UCLA Tim Wu, professor of law at Columbia University Topics covered: The attention economy The history of attention Big tech Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+ For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Music by bluedot Sessions and Epidemic Sound. This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com. Read more about how we are using AI.

    Attention, please!

  5. Jul 31 • Subscribers Only

    The war on animal research

    PETA and other left-leaning groups have tried for decades to end research on animals. They mostly failed. Then a Republican strategist found a far more effective way to campaign. Daniella Raz examines how an activist group has gained enough power to challenge a critical part of America’s innovation economy–and what that means for the scientists now facing pressure from across the political spectrum. Topics covered: Animal testing MAGA MAHA Biomedical research Innovation economy Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Music by Blue dot and Epidemic Transcripts are available on our website https://www.economist.com/podcasts

    The war on animal research

  6. Jul 24 • Subscribers Only

    Sleepless in Havana

    All across the island of Cuba time has slowed down. With little access to fuel there is nowhere to go. With little access to power there is nothing to do, but wait— for the power to come back on, for America to tighten the screw further, and for the government to give in to their demands. In June, Sarah Birke travelled to Cuba to ask how the island is coping under America’s fuel blockade. Everyone is ready for change, the question is, what change is coming? Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Music by Blue dot and Epidemic This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com.

    Sleepless in Havana

  7. Jul 17 • Subscribers Only

    Better than a real boyfriend?

    Imagine a boyfriend who was completely attuned to your needs. He cooks you dinner, nightly. He prepares a hot water bottle when you are on your period. And helps you drift off to sleep. He comes with no baggage, no expectations, no demands, other than you spend time with him. The catch? He’s not real. He’s a character in Love and Deepspace, a popular mobile game that’s got women all over the world hooked. The Economist’s Sue-Lin Wong investigates the Chinese game where women fall in love with virtual men. Topics covered: Modern love Dating Singlehood Gaming monetisation systems Otome games AI companions Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Music by Blue dot and Epidemic This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com. Read more about how we are using AI.

    Better than a real boyfriend?

  8. Jul 11 • Subscribers Only

    The new homeschoolers

    Homeschooling is surging far beyond its roots in conservative Christian America. Across the US and around the world, more families are opting out of traditional classrooms. Emma Irving investigates why parents are making the leap and its impact on children and society. Topics covered: homeschooling education Christian education culture wars Links to articles: https://www.economist.com/international/2026/05/21/home-schooling-is-taking-off?utm_campaign=shared_article Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to The Economist. Music by Blue dot and Epidemic This podcast transcript is generated by third-party AI. It has not been reviewed prior to publication. We make no representations or warranties in relation to the transcript, its accuracy or its completeness, and we disclaim all liability regarding its receipt, content and use. If you have any concerns about the transcript, please email us at podcasts@economist.com. Read more about how we are using AI.

    The new homeschoolers
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One story, vividly told. Join The Economist’s correspondents from around the world as they step back from the news to report on the people, places and ideas that matter most to them and shape all our lives. Published every Saturday. If you’re already a subscriber to The Economist, you’ll have full access to all our shows as part of your subscription. For more information about Economist Podcasts+, including how to get access, please visit our FAQs page at https://myaccount.economist.com/s/article/What-is-Economist-Podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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