667. Here’s Why You Are Constantly Fighting Off ScammersA ruthless (and ruthlessly efficient) industry is using digital tools to supercharge one of the world’s o […]

666. This Is How Progress HappensEconomists don’t usually talk about “culture.” But Joel Mokyr argues that it’s the engine of innovation — and the Nobel Prize com […]

The Most Powerful People You’ve Never Heard Of (Update)Just beneath the surface of the global economy, there is a hidden layer of dealmakers for whom war, chaos, and […]

665. Werner Herzog Isn’t Afraid …… of bad reviews, meager financing, or artificial intelligence. But he is worried that the world is full of sloppy thinkers who m […]

664. Are Thousands of Medical Cures Hiding in Plain Sight?Existing drugs can sometimes be repurposed to treat rare diseases. But making that match can be hard — an […]

All You Need Is Nudge (Update)When Richard Thaler first published Nudge, the world was just starting to believe in his brand of behavioral economics. In this 2021 […]

663. Is Weed a Performance-Enhancing Drug?The science says no, at least not in the athletic sense. But the psychic benefits can be large — just ask former N.F.L. s […]

662. If You’re Not Cheating, You’re Not TryingIn sports, the rules are meant to be sacrosanct. But when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs, the slope is […]

Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update)They used to be the N.F.L.’s biggest stars, with paychecks to match. Now their salaries are near the bottom, and t […]

661. Can A.I. Save Your Life?For 50 years, the healthcare industry has been trying (and failing) to harness the power of artificial intelligence. It may finally be […]

660. The Wellness Industry Is Gigantic — and Mostly WrongZeke Emanuel (a physician, medical ethicist, and policy wonk) has some different ideas for how to lead a […]

Steve Levitt Quits His Podcast, Joins OursAfter five years, Levitt is ending People I (Mostly) Admire, and will start hosting the occasional Freakonomics Radio […]

659. Can Marty Makary Fix the F.D.A.?It regulates 20 percent of the U.S. economy, and its commissioner has an aggressive agenda — faster drug approvals, healthier f […]

658. This Is Your Brain on SupplementsWe all want to stay sharp, and forestall the cognitive effects of aging. But do brain supplements actually work? Are they […]

Are Personal Finance Gurus Giving You Bad Advice? (Update)One Yale economist certainly thinks so. But even if he’s right, are economists any better? We find out, i […]

Are You Ready for a Fresh Start? (Update)Behavioral scientists have been exploring whether a psychological reset can lead to lasting change. In this update of a 2021 […]

Are the Rich Really Less Generous Than the Poor? (Update)A series of academic studies suggest that the wealthy are, to put it bluntly, selfish jerks. It’s an easy n […]

657. Whose “Messiah” Is It Anyway?All sorts of people have put their mark on Messiah, and it has been a hit for nearly 300 years. How can a single piece of music […]

Who Pays for “Messiah”?In the 18th century, Handel relied on royal patronage. Today, it’s donors like Gary Parr who keep the music playing. In this bonus episode o […]

656. How Handel Got His Mojo BackWhen he wrote Messiah (in 24 days), Handel was past his prime and nearly broke. One night in Dublin changed all that. (Part two of […]