58 episodes
The Economics of Everyday Things Freakonomics Radio
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- Business
Who decides which snacks are in your office’s vending machine? How much is a suburban elm tree worth, and to whom? How did Girl Scout Cookies become a billion-dollar business? In bite-sized episodes, journalist Zachary Crockett looks at quotidian things and finds amazing stories.
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51. Wine Corks
Why do we use a specific kind of tree-bark tissue to seal up 70 percent of wine bottles? Zachary Crockett takes a sniff and gives the waiter a nod.
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50. Self-Checkout
Grocery stores have turned shoppers into cashiers. Zachary Crockett runs two bags of chips and a Gatorade over the scanner.
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Carnival Games (Replay)
Does anyone ever win the giant teddy bear? Zachary Crockett steps right up.
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49. Weather Forecasts
With industries relying on them and profits to be made, weather forecasts are more precise and more popular than ever. But there are clouds on the horizon. Zachary Crockett grabs an umbrella.
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48. College Fraternities
A fraternity’s budget includes broken windows, liability insurance, chili dog breakfasts, and the occasional $40,000 DJ. Zachary Crockett crashes the party.
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47. Bail Bonds
How does bail work — and who's really paying? Zachary Crockett follows the money.