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Updated 2024-05-06 18:03
Was Milton Friedman Really 'The Last Conservative?'
A new book looks at the life and ideas of Milton Friedman.
A Nobel prize-winning immigrant's view on American inequality
In a new book, Nobel Prize-winning economist Angus Deaton offers a scathing critique of American politics and economic policy.
I'm a new dad. Here's why I'm taking more parental leave than my wife.
More than 70 percent of American fathers return to work less than two weeks after having a baby. Here is why I'm not one of them.
Affirmative action for rich kids: It's more than just legacy admissions
A blockbuster new study finds that America's elite private colleges are systematically giving huge advantages to rich kids over their equally bright, yet less privileged peers.
Should we invest more in weather forecasting? It may save your life
Over the last century, we've seen a huge improvement in the accuracy of weather forecasts. A new study suggests these better forecasts have tremendous value for our lives and our economy.
The Explosive Growth Of The Fireworks Market
Over the last few decades, states and counties across America have liberalized the use of fireworks. It's just one reason why sales of fireworks have exploded.
The Second Biggest Disaster at Mount Vesuvius
Like an increasing number of national parks in the United States, Mount Vesuvius has begun rationing access with a quota system. The system has had some problems.
What personal financial stress can do to the economy
Financial stress. It feels personal, but it has big implications for the economy.
Chimp Empire and the economics of chimpanzees
A new Netflix docuseries provides a fascinating picture of humanity's closest living relatives.
The case for financial literacy education
Financial literacy programs have been called useless in the past. But a new study suggests that's due to the way the subject is taught, rather than the subject itself.
What if AI could rebuild the middle class?
We spoke with MIT's David Autor, one of the top labor economists in the world, about how AI could revolutionize the job market.
This company adopted AI. Here's what happened to its human workers
A group of economists conducted one of the first empirical studies of "generative AI" at a real-world company. They found it had big effects.
Where Are Interest Rates Going?
The answer could matter for your home value, stock portfolio, and the future of the economy.
Why sanctions don't work — but could if done right
Sanctions backfire. So why do we keep using them?
Women now dominate the book business. Why there and not other creative industries?
A new study finds that women are excelling in the book business. Yet, they still lag in other creative industries. We search for an explanation why.
Why Nepo Babies Are Bad For Business (Sorry, 'Succession')
What the HBO show 'Succession' can teach us about family companies
Need a consultant? This book argues hiring one might actually damage your institution
A new book argues the consulting industry is weakening businesses, harming the government, and distorting the economy.
The Collapse Of Silicon Valley Bank
A major bank in Silicon Valley experienced a bank run and failed. Fearing a cascading catastrophe in tech and banking, the government stepped in to prevent contagion.
Why we usually can't tell when a review is fake
Is that review real or fake? Most of us can't tell
You may have heard of the 'union boom.' The numbers tell a different story
Despite a stream of headlines last year about unionization drives throughout the nation, the share of American workers in unions fell to its lowest level on record. What's going on?
Reframing Your Commute
What your commute can do for you
This doctor wants to prescribe a cure for homelessness
A growing hospital movement aims to improve health outcomes of homeless patients with what might be considered the ultimate preventive care: providing them with a home.
How the pandemic changed the rules of personal finance
A new book says the Great Resignation was really the Great Reshuffle.
This 22-year-old is trying to save us from ChatGPT before it changes writing forever
A college kid's mission to prevent misuse of artificial intelligence.
New nation, new ideas: A study finds immigrants out-innovate native-born Americans
In a fascinating new study, a group of economists measures the impact of immigrants on American innovation.
A golden age for nonalcoholic beers, wines and spirits
There are many more drinking options this Dry January if you like the taste of alcoholic drinks but don't like the effects of alcohol.
Facing an energy crisis, Germans stock up on candles
Germans are on a mission to transform their energy economy and reduce their consumption, including by — apparently — using lots of candles.
Inflation has reached the North Pole as a Santa shortage looms
Santa's services are more in demand than ever — and he and his helpers are having a hard time keeping up.
Why sanctions against Russia aren't working — yet
When sanctions were enacted against Russia in February of this year, many forecasts were of an imminent collapse in the Russian economy. A new report looks at why that hasn't happened.
These companies ran an experiment: Pay workers their full salary to work fewer days
Could a shorter work week be the answer to the UK's productivity problem?
They made a material that doesn't exist on Earth. That's only the start of the story.
A scientific discovery could forever change China and the U.S. industrial balance.
How does the music industry work? Planet Money started a record label to find out
Almost 50 years ago, a band made an incredible song about Inflation. Then the song was lost to the dustbin of history. Now, Planet Money is on a mission to make this record a hit.
Britain's Productivity Problem
Liz Truss is just the latest Prime Minister to be tripped up trying to tackle productivity.
How the gig economy inspired a cyberpunk video game
The video game Citizen Sleeper critiques the gig economy in a cyberpunk "post-capitalist" future
Why the U.S. might not win the global economy without Canada and Mexico
A new book argues that for the U.S. to become more globally competitive and create good jobs, we must embrace and expand trade with Canada and Mexico.
How the 'Black Metropolis' made a comeback
Bronzeville, a neighborhood of Chicago, was the epicenter of a Black renaissance before it fell on hard times. Now, it's booming again. Here's the story of its incredible turnaround.
Why your bad boss will probably lose the remote-work wars
Since 2020, office workers have waged an epic battle to work remotely. They're mostly winning.
The economics behind 'quiet quitting' — and what we should call it instead
Is "quiet quitting" about being lazy or setting healthy boundaries? Is it even real? We dig into the data and ask workers themselves about what it means to them.
An economist studied popular finance tips. Some might be leading you astray
A Yale professor of finance read through 50 popular finance books to see how they square with traditional economic theory.
Inside the rise of 'stealerships' and the shady economics of car buying
Car dealerships deploy tricks and traps to make as much money as they can from you. Here's what I learned when trying to buy a new car.
Someone stole my truck. I got a crash course on the wild black market for stolen cars
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, automakers began adopting an anti-theft technology that dramatically reduced car thefts. But why did it take so long?
What People Really Make (and Spend) Behind Bars
The Marshall Project asked people in prison to track their earning and spending — and bartering and side hustles — for 30 days. Their accounts reveal a thriving underground economy behind bars.
Hot econ summer: The soundtrack to Planet Money Summer School
It's a summer of macro at Planet Money. Celebrate hot econ summer with our playlist.
Why the American Dream is more attainable in some cities than others
A blockbuster new study reveals a key factor explaining rates of upward mobility.
Want to lay off workers more smoothly? There's a startup for that
The tech industry is in turmoil. But there's at least one startup that is thriving these days, and it's one that's helping other startups lay off workers.
Meet the new GDP prototype that tracks inequality
A team of economists offers America a new way to look at economic growth. It's a sort of GDP prototype that tracks the well-being of different income groups.
Lean Out: Employees Are Accepting Lower Pay In Order To Work Remotely
A new study finds American companies are using remote work as a way to avoid giving workers raises; so much so that it's helping to moderate inflation.
The fight to fund abortions in post-Roe America
In post-Roe America, money is even more determinative of who can get an abortion and who can't. Abortion funds are trying to close the gap, but they are now forced to navigate a murky legal landscape.
Be Our (Remote) Intern
It's gonna be different, that's for sure. But we promise it will be fun and educational.
The strange underground economy of tree poaching
A new book dives deep into the fascinating criminal world of tree theft and efforts to combat it.
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