logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2024
41m 41s

188. Why Do Kids Today Get So Many A’s?

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher
About this episode
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”? 
Up next
Today
58. What’s So Gratifying About Gossip?
Also: why do people hate small talk? This episode originally aired on June 27th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. 
37m 4s
Jan 18
57. Which Incentives Are Best at Boosting Vaccination, and Why?
Also: what does your desired superpower say about you? This episode originally aired on June 20th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. 
36m 24s
Jan 11
56. Why Is Academic Writing So Bad?
Also: what does your perfect day look like? This episode originally aired on June 13th, 2021. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. 
39m 13s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2023
119. Higher Education Is Broken. Can It Be Fixed?
tail spinning
47m 10s
Jan 2024
574. “A Low Moment in Higher Education”
tail spinning
46m 51s
Jan 2024
573. Can Academic Fraud Be Stopped?
tail spinning
1h 2m
Jan 2024
572. Why Is There So Much Fraud in Academia?
<p>Some of the biggest names in behavioral science stand accused of faking their results. Last year, an astonishing 10,000 research papers were retracted. We talk to whistleblowers, reformers, and a co-author who got caught up in the chaos. (Part 1 of 2)</p><p> </p><ul><li><stron ... Show More
1h 14m
Jun 2024
594. Your Brand’s Spokesperson Just Got Arrested — Now What?
tail spinning
43m 38s
Nov 2021
A radical plan to save education | Michael Hrebeniak, Isabelle McNeill
tail spinning
18m 13s
Aug 2023
What Clarence Thomas really thinks
In this episode, which was originally published in August 2022, Sean Illing talks with Corey Robin, author of a 2019 book about the life and thought of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Robin discusses how Thomas — whose concurring opinion in the case that overturned Roe v. ... Show More
1h 3m
Aug 2022
What Clarence Thomas really thinks
Sean Illing talks with Corey Robin, author of a recent article — as well as a 2019 book — about the life and thought of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. Robin discusses how Thomas, whose concurring opinion in the case that overturned Roe v. Wade garnered recent attention, d ... Show More
1h 2m
Mar 2023
The case for failure
Is our society's fixation with success hindering our ability to find humility? Sean Illing speaks with Costica Bradatan about his new book In Praise of Failure: Four Lessons in Humility, which explores failure through the lives of historical figures like Gandhi and the philosophe ... Show More
46m 30s
Dec 2021
The good life is painful
Sean Illing talks with psychologist Paul Bloom about his new book The Sweet Spot, and whether it's necessary to experience suffering in order to live a fulfilling, meaningful life. They discuss the rich philosophical history of the question: what does it mean to be happy? They al ... Show More
53m 20s