Freakonomics Radio

Should Tipping be Banned?

It's awkward, random, confusing -- and probably discriminatory too.

Baby, You Can Program My Car

A glimpse into our driverless future.

Can You Be Too Smart for Your Own Good? And Other FREAK-quently Asked Questions

Dubner and Levitt talk about circadian rhythms, gay marriage, autism, ...

Dubner and Levitt talk about circadian rhythms, gay marriage, autism, and whether "pay what you want" is everything it's cracked up to be.

REBROADCAST: The Hidden Cost of False Alarms

If any other product failed 94 percent of the time, ...

If any other product failed 94 percent of the time, you'd probably stop using it. So why do we put up with burglar alarms?

What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common?

A look at whether spite pays -- and if it ...

A look at whether spite pays -- and if it even exists.

It’s Crowded at the Top

Why is unemployment still so high? It may be because ...

Why is unemployment still so high? It may be because of something that happened well before the Great Recession.

Running to Do Evil

An interview with Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, whose younger brother turned ...

An interview with Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, whose younger brother turned him in -- and what it says about the Boston bombers.

Help Wanted. No Smokers Need Apply

In many states, it is perfectly legal to not hire ...

In many states, it is perfectly legal to not hire someone who smokes. Should employers also be able to weed out junk-food lovers or motorcyclists -- or anyone who wants to have a baby?

How Much Does Your Name Matter?

A kid's name can tell us something about his parents ...

A kid's name can tell us something about his parents -- their race, social standing, even their politics. But is your name really your destiny?

The Tax Man Nudgeth

Real tax reform may or may not ever happen. In ...

Real tax reform may or may not ever happen. In the meantime, how about making the current system work a bit better?