We tend to think of tragedies as a single terrible moment, rather than the result of multiple bad decisions. Can this pattern be reversed? We try — with stories about wildfires, school shootings, and love.
- SOURCES:
- Amy Edmondson, professor of leadership management at Harvard Business School.
- Helen Fisher, former senior research fellow at The Kinsey Institute and former chief science advisor to Match.com.
- Ed Galea, founding director of the Fire Safety Engineering Group at the University of Greenwich.
- Gary Klein, cognitive psychologist and pioneer in the field of naturalistic decision making.
- David Riedman, founder of the K-12 School Shooting Database.
- Aaron Stark, head cashier at Lowe’s and keynote speaker.
- John Van Reenen, professor at the London School of Economics.
- RESOURCES:
- “Ethan Crumbley: Parents of Michigan school gunman sentenced to at least 10 years,” by Brandon Drenon (New York Times, 2024).
- Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well, by Amy Edmondson (2023).
- “How Fire Turned Lahaina Into a Death Trap,” by Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs, Serge F. Kovaleski, Shawn Hubler, and Riley Mellen (The New York Times, 2023).
- The Violence Project: How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic, by Jillian Peterson and James Densley (2021).
- “I Was Almost A School Shooter,” by Aaron Stark (TEDxBoulder, 2018).
- EXTRAS:
- “Is Perfectionism Ruining Your Life?” by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023).
- “Why Did You Marry That Person?” by Freakonomics Radio (2022).
- “What Do We Really Learn From Failure?” by No Stupid Questions (2021).
- “How to Fail Like a Pro,” by Freakonomics Radio (2019).
- “Failure Is Your Friend,” by Freakonomics Radio (2014).

533. Will the Democrats “Make America Great Again”?
For decades, the U.S. let globalization run its course and hoped China would be an ally. Now the Biden administration is spending billions to bring high-tech manufacturing back home. Is this the beginning of a…
The Economics of Everyday Things: “My Sharona”
Can a hit single from four decades ago still pay the bills? Zachary Crockett f-f-f-finds out in the third episode of our newest podcast, The Economics of Everyday Things.
Is Economic Growth the Wrong Goal? (Ep. 429 Update)
The economist Kate Raworth says the aggressive pursuit of G.D.P. is trashing the planet and shortchanging too many people. She has proposed an alternative — and the city of Amsterdam is giving it a try.…
The Economics of Everyday Things: Girl Scout Cookies
How does America’s cutest sales force get billions of Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs into our hands every year? Zachary Crockett finds out in the second episode of our newest podcast, The Economics of Everyday…
532. Do You Know Who Owns Your Vet?
When small businesses get bought by big investors, the name may stay the same — but customers and employees can feel the difference. (Part 2 of 2.)
Introducing “The Economics of Everyday Things”
A new podcast hosted by Zachary Crockett. In the first episode: Gas stations. When gas prices skyrocket, do station owners get a windfall? And where do their profits really come from?
531. Should You Trust Private Equity to Take Care of Your Dog?
Big investors are buying up local veterinary practices (and pretty much everything else). What does this mean for scruffy little Max* — and for the U.S. economy? (Part 1 of 2.) *The most popular…
Extra: Samin Nosrat Always Wanted to Be Famous
And with her book “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat,” she succeeded. Now she’s not so sure how to feel about all the attention.
530. What’s Wrong with Being a One-Hit Wonder?
We tend to look down on artists who can’t match their breakthrough success. Should we be celebrating them instead?
529. Can Our Surroundings Make Us Smarter?
In a special episode of No Stupid Questions, Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth discuss classroom design, open offices, and cognitive drift.