Freakonomics Radio

Yes, it expands the mind but we usually don't retain much -- and then there's the opportunity cost.

In most countries, houses get more valuable over time. In Japan, a new buyer will often bulldoze the home. We'll tell you why.

The consequences of our low marriage rate -- and if the old model is less attractive, how about a new one?

The myths of modern marriage.

Thick markets, thin markets, and the triumph of attributes over compatibility.This episode is included in the Freakonomics #smartbinge podcast playlist at wnyc.org/smartbinge

The "beauty premium" is real, for everyone from babies to NFL quarterbacks.

The benefits of rumor-mongering

What "Sleep No More" and the Stanford Prison Experiment tell us about who we really are.

Dubner and Levitt talk about fixing the post office, putting cameras in the classroom, and wearing hats.

Most people blame lack of time for being out of shape. So maybe the solution is to exercise more efficiently.

A commitment device forces you to be the person you really want to be. What could possibly go wrong?

The Pope just gave it to the global economy with both barrels. Was he right to do so?

It’s easy to get that idea. But is the stereotype true?

More than 1 million people die worldwide each year from traffic accidents. But there's never been a safer time to drive.

It's time to do away with feel-good stories, gut hunches, and magical thinking.

Spontaneous order is everywhere if you know where to look for it.

The online universe doesn't have nearly as many rules, or rulemakers, as the real world. Discuss.

College tends to make people happier, healthier, and wealthier. But how?

What's a college degree really worth these days?

Being green is rarely a black-and-white issue -- but that doesn't stop marketers and politicians from pretending it is.