Reasons to Be Cheerful (Ep. 417 Rebroadcast)
Humans have a built-in “negativity bias,” which means we give bad news much more power than good. Would the Covid-19 crisis be an opportune time to reverse this tendency? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsW...
19 Aug 202152min
472. This Is Your Brain on Pollution
Air pollution is estimated to cause 7 million deaths a year and cost the global economy nearly $3 trillion. But is the true cost even higher? Stephen Dubner explores the links between pollution and co...
12 Aug 202146min
471. Mayor Pete and Elaine Chao Hit the Road
While other countries seem to build spectacular bridges, dams, and even entire cities with ease, the U.S. is stuck in pothole-fixing mode. We speak with an array of transportation nerds — including th...
5 Aug 202149min
Two (Totally Opposite) Ways to Save the Planet (Rebroadcast)
The environmentalists say we’re doomed if we don’t drastically reduce consumption. The technologists say that human ingenuity can solve just about any problem. A debate that’s been around for decades ...
29 Juli 202153min
470. The Pros and Cons of America’s (Extreme) Individualism
According to a decades-long research project, the U.S. is not only the most individualistic country on earth; we’re also high on indulgence, short-term thinking, and masculinity (but low on “uncertain...
22 Juli 202147min
469. The U.S. Is Just Different — So Let’s Stop Pretending We’re Not
We often look to other countries for smart policies on education, healthcare, infrastructure, etc. But can a smart policy be simply transplanted into a country as culturally unusual (and as supremely ...
15 Juli 202150min
468. Nap Time for Everyone!
The benefits of sleep are by now well established, and yet many people don’t get enough. A new study suggests we should channel our inner toddler and get 30 minutes of shut-eye in the afternoon. But a...
8 Juli 202136min
How Stupid Is Our Obsession With Lawns? (Ep. 289 Rebroadcast)
Nearly two percent of America is grassy green. Sure, lawns are beautiful and useful and they smell great. But are the costs — financial, environmental and otherwise — worth the benefits? Hosted by Sim...
1 Juli 202127min
