Marketplace®

Daily business news and economic stories

Have a very Homo Economicus Christmas

What economists like to give (and get) as Christmas gifts. Spoiler alert: economists don’t think like the rest of us.

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.

Related Topics

Collections:

Latest Episodes

View All Shows
  • Marketplace
    11 hours ago
    25:21
  • Marketplace Morning Report
    18 hours ago
    7:04
  • This Is Uncomfortable
    a day ago
    4:41
  • Marketplace Tech
    a day ago
    7:47
  • Make Me Smart
    3 days ago
    25:16
  • Million Bazillion
    a month ago
    32:45