About this episode
Economist Michael D. Smith says universities are scrambling to protect a status quo that deserves to die. He tells Steve why the current system is unsustainable, and what’s at stake if nothing changes.
Feb 28
10. Suzanne Gluck: “I'm a Person Who Can Convince Other People to Do Things”
She might not be a household name, but Suzanne Gluck is one of the most powerful people in the book industry. Her slush pile is a key entry point to the biggest publishers in the U.S., and the authors she represents have sold more than 100 million books worldwide. Steve Levitt ta ... Show More
36m 7s
Feb 21
8. Peter Attia: “I Definitely Lost a Lot of IQ Points That Day”
He’s been an engineer, a surgeon, a management consultant, and even a boxer. Now he’s a physician focused on the science of longevity. Peter Attia talks with Steve Levitt about the problem with immortality, what’s missing from our Covid response, and why nicotine is underrated. T ... Show More
38m 36s
Feb 14
7. Caverly Morgan: "I Am Not This Voice. I Am Not This Narrative."
She showed up late and confused to her first silent retreat, but Caverly Morgan eventually trained for eight years in silence at a Zen monastery. Now her mindfulness-education program Peace in Schools is part of the high-school curriculum in Portland, Ore. Steve Levitt finds out ... Show More
38m 38s
Jan 2024
574. “A Low Moment in Higher Education”
46m 51s
Mar 2024
188. Why Do Kids Today Get So Many A’s?
41m 41s
Jan 2024
573. Can Academic Fraud Be Stopped?
1h 2m
Mar 2024
186. Do You Need a Routine?
38m 34s
Dec 2023
174. What’s the Point of I.Q. Testing?
35m 42s
Jun 2024
594. Your Brand’s Spokesperson Just Got Arrested — Now What?
43m 38s
Feb 2024
184. Are You Doing Too Much?
40m 51s
Apr 2024
Should You Get Out of Your Comfort Zone?
40m 24s
Mar 2024
579. Are You Caught in a Social Media Trap?
42m 16s
Apr 2024
193. Are You as Conscientious as You Think You Are?
<p>Is it really that important to make your bed? What’s the benefit of hiring a lazy person? And how many cups of spinach can Mike fit in a red Solo cup? </p><p>Take the Big Five inventory: <a href="http://freakonomics.com/bigfive" target="_blank">freakonomics.com/bigfive</a></p ... Show More
39m 28s
<p>Michael Roth of Wesleyan University doesn’t hang out with other university presidents. He also thinks some of them have failed a basic test of good sense and decency. It’s time for a conversation about college, and courage. </p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCE:</strong><ul><li> ... Show More
<p>Is grade inflation on the rise? How much does your G.P.A. matter in the long run? And when did M.I.T., of all places, become “the cool university”?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthugo/">Scott Hugo</a>, housing just ... Show More
<p>Probably not — the incentives are too strong. Scholarly publishing is a $28 billion global industry, with misconduct at every level. But a few reformers are gaining ground. (Part 2 of 2)</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.hbs.edu/faculty ... Show More
<p>Would you be more adventurous if you had more structure? Do you multitask while brushing your teeth? And what would Mike’s perfect brother Peter do? </p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/column/david-brooks">David Brooks</a>, opi ... Show More
<p>Are gifted and talented programs discriminatory? Why do so many adults still remember their SAT scores? And how did Angela transform from a party girl to an Ivy League psychologist?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biograp ... Show More
<p>It’s hard to know whether the benefits of hiring a celebrity are worth the risk. We dig into one gruesome story of an endorsement gone wrong, and find a surprising result.</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://economics.cornell.edu/john-cawley">J ... Show More
<p>How can you strive for excellence without overworking yourself? Why is perfectionism on the rise? And is Angela part of the problem?</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-andrus-426734223/">Kristin Andrus</a>, philanth ... Show More
<p>What do the most creative people have in common? How open-minded are you, really? And what’s wrong with ordering eggs Benedict? </p><p>Take the Big Five inventory: </p><p><a href="http://freakonomics.com/bigfive">freakonomics.com/bigfive</a></p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES ... Show More
<p>Economists have discovered an odd phenomenon: many people who use social media (even you, maybe?) wish it didn’t exist. But that doesn’t mean they can escape.</p><p> </p><ul><li><strong>SOURCES:</strong><ul><li><a href="https://home.uchicago.edu/bursztyn/">Leonardo Bursztyn</a ... Show More
