Whaling was, in the words of one scholar, “early capitalism unleashed on the high seas.” How did the U.S. come to dominate the whale market? Why did whale hunting die out here — and continue to grow elsewhere? And is that whale vomit in your perfume? link.podtrac.com/yl9m3yf5
Freakonomics
Online Audio and Video Media
New York, New York 95,904 followers
The Hidden Side of Everything.
About us
It began when New York journalist and author Stephen J. Dubner went to Chicago to write about award-winning economist Steven D. Levitt for The New York Times Magazine. Dubner had been reluctant to take the assignment (he was in the middle of writing a book about the psychology of money). Levitt was reluctant to be shadowed by a journalist (but his mother loved the Times Magazine, so he gave in). The article came out, and led to an unexpected partnership. Levitt and Dubner wrote Freakonomics, a book about cheating teachers, bizarre baby names, self-dealing Realtors, and crack-selling mama’s boys. They figured it would sell about 80 copies. Instead, it took up long-term residency on the Times best-seller list, and went on to sell more than 4 million copies in 35 languages. Then they wrote SuperFreakonomics. It also became a worldwide best-seller. A lot of other stuff happened, too. A blog. A documentary film. Jon Stewart and Beauty and the Geek! Lectures. A pair of pants. A radio show. Not bad for a partnership born of such profound reluctance.
- Website
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http://www.freakonomics.com
External link for Freakonomics
- Industry
- Online Audio and Video Media
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- New York, New York
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2005
Locations
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Primary
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Manhattan
New York, New York 10003, US
Employees at Freakonomics
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Greg Rippin
Technical Director at the Freakonomics Radio Network
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Zachary Crockett
Host/Reporter, Freakonomics Radio Network
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Luis Guerra
Investor with a focus on Real Estate and Health and Wellness. Continues to work as a music composer with clients around the globe.
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Ellen Frankman
Executive Editor for the Freakonomics Radio Network
Updates
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Why does tipping still exist? It’s a haphazard way of paying workers, and yet it keeps expanding. With federal tax policy shifting in a pro-tip direction, we revisit an episode from 2019 to find out why. link.podtrac.com/w28zpxio
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Uri Simonsohn is a behavioral science professor who wants to improve standards in his field — so he’s made a sideline of investigating fraudulent academic research. He tells Steve Levitt, who’s spent plenty of time rooting out cheaters in other fields, how he does it. link.podtrac.com/h51wx9ui
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Performing for passersby takes more than talent. Buskers have to cope with hecklers, civic regulations, aggressive competitors — and uncertain pay. link.podtrac.com/4i94t2rn
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The Freakonomics Radio Network is hiring! We are looking for a Personal Assistant. Check out the job post at https://lnkd.in/eHnV2Yxq.
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Why do candles still exist? They should have died out when the lightbulb was invented. Instead they’re a $10 billion industry. What does it mean that we still want tiny fires inside our homes? link.podtrac.com/9j9320ff
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Former U.S. Secretary of Education, 3×3 basketball champion, and leader of an anti-gun violence organization are all on Arne Duncan’s resume. He’s also Steve’s neighbor. The two talk about teachers caught cheating in Chicago public schools and Steve shares a story he’s never told Arne, about a defining moment in the educator’s life. link.podtrac.com/6wal9jyj
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Mobile home parks have long been associated with crime and blight. Now, the investors are moving in. link.podtrac.com/4t0u7ggu
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Former secretary of state Antony Blinken isn’t a flamethrower, but he certainly has strong opinions. In this wide-ranging conversation with Stephen Dubner, he gives them all: on Israel, Gaza, China, Iran, Russia, Biden, Trump — and the rest of the world. link.podtrac.com/llvkz16b
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Until recently, Delaware was almost universally agreed to be the best place for companies to incorporate. Now, with Elon Musk leading a corporate stampede out of the First State, we revisit an episode from 2023 that asked if Delaware’s “franchise” is wildly corrupt, wildly efficient … or both? link.podtrac.com/gzd4xub4