A Gas Tax Holiday Would Miss the Point—And the People Who Need Help | Diving In
A gas tax holiday sounds like relief, but gets the economics wrong in almost every direction. Today’s high prices are a war problem — not a tax problem. And cheaper gas is the exact wrong response to ...
27 Touko 17min
Is Inflation Going to Ruin the Summer? | Off the Clock
Justin Wolfers is back with Stacey Vanek Smith to break down three of the biggest stories in economic news. Starting with the arrival of new Fed Chair Kevin Warsh — and the question of which Kevin War...
23 Touko 43min
What Really Happens When Schools Lock Away Phones? | Diving In
What happens when students can’t instantly reach for their phones? In this episode of Diving In, Justin Wolfers breaks down the latest research on school phone bans and finds a result that’s more comp...
20 Touko 17min
Justin Wolfers Answers Your Questions on the National Debt | The Professor Is In
In this follow-up to an episode diving in to the federal deficit, Justin Wolfers responds to audience comments and questions including: where are interest payments going? Why can’t the government just...
16 Touko 13min
How to measure the true cost of war: Justin Wolfers shows you the math | Diving In
The Pentagon said the war with Iran has cost Americans $25 billion. But that number only accounts for missiles fired and equipment destroyed. The true cost of war is measured by the future we’ve given...
13 Touko 17min
Are Met Gala Tickets Too Cheap? | Diving In
In this episode of Diving In, Justin Wolfers breaks down the economics of the Met Gala using two big ideas from economics: signaling and non-price competition. The basic point is simple: the high pric...
11 Touko 13min
Justin Wolfers Breaks Down the Week: Spirit, US Debt, and the AI Economy (with Stacey Vanek Smith)
What actually mattered in this week’s avalanche of economic news? In this conversation, Justin talks to his friend, Stacey Vanek Smith, Senior writer for Bloomberg Businessweek and cohost of the Every...
10 Touko 38min
Should We Actually Be Worried About the National Debt | Diving In
In this opening episode for Platypus Economics, Justin Wolfers explains why the federal budget deficit is one of the best examples of how economics can clarify a debate that politics often mangles. Th...
6 Touko 15min
