Freakonomics Radio
For most of human history, horsepower made the world go. Then came the machines. So why are there still seven million horses in America? (Part one of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”)
- SOURCES:
- Ann N. Greene, historian of 19th century America, retired professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
- Constance Hunter, chief economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit.
- Elizabeth Bortuzzo, professional horse rider.
- Mark Paul, professor of economics at Rutgers University.
- Peter Frankopan, professor of global history at Oxford History.
- RESOURCES:
- “2023 Economic Impact Study of the U.S. Horse Industry,” (American Horse Council Foundation, 2024).
- Riding to Arms, by Charles Caramello (2022).
- The Horse in the City, by Clay McShane and Joel Tarr (2011).
- Horses at Work, by Ann Norton Greene (2008).
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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.
528. Yuval Noah Harari Thinks Life is Meaningless and Amazing
In this special episode of People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt talks to the best-selling author of Sapiens and Homo Deus about finding the profound in the obvious.
527. Can Adam Smith Fix Our Economy?
Labor exploitation! Corporate profiteering! Government corruption! The 21st century can look a lot like the 18th. In the final episode of a series, we turn to “the father of economics” for solutions. (Part 3 of…
526. Was Adam Smith Really a Right-Winger?
Economists and politicians have turned him into a mascot for free-market ideology. Some on the left say the right has badly misread him. Prepare for a very Smithy tug of war. (Part 2 of “In…
Freakonomics Radio Needs Your Help
A sneak peek at an upcoming series — and a call for would-be radio reporters.