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Have a very Homo Economicus Christmas
Kai Ryssdal opens his presents from Stephen Dubner.
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For your holiday shopping, how would you like a bit of help from … a bunch of economists? In this Freakonomics Radio segment, Stephen Dubner talks to several economist friends to find out what they like to give (and get) as Christmas gifts. Spoiler alert: economists don’t think like the rest of us. They’re more concerned with “deadweight loss” than Aunt Millie’s feelings. That’s why they write books with titles like "Scroogenomics," and that’s why they sometimes advocate just giving cash.
You’ll hear from economists Steve Levitt, Alex Tabarrok, Justin Wolfers, and Joel Waldfogel -- and you’ll find out what Dubner gives Kai Ryssdal for Christmas this year.
For the past 3 years, my brothers and I have celebrated Me-mas (no sacrilege intended). I buy myself gifts "from" my brothers and wrap them. They do the same. On Christmas, we all get together and unwrap the presents: my brothers are always pleasantly surprised at what "they" got for me, and that I love the gifts so much.
Also, who would have thought that the obscure book of short stories "I" gifted to "my brother" would have been the ideal gift? Me-mas for the win.
