It's a 'fact' beloved of English teachers around the world: that Shakespeare, the greatest playwright in English, also had the greatest vocabulary. But research published earlier this year suggests English teachers might have to look elsewhere to establish the superiority of the Bard - apparently his vocabulary lags behind the best and most famous rappers of the last decades. Is this comparison fair, and if so, does it diminish the Bard's lustre? This programme was first broadcast on the BBC World Service.
Cato Daily Podcast - The Incoherent Debate over Iraq
The current discussion about Iraq lacks coherence, according to Justin Logan.
"A New War Can’t Fix What Ails Iraq," by Justin Logan. USA Today (Online).
"A New War Can’t Fix What Ails Iraq," by Justin Logan. USA Today (Online).
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More or Less: Behind the Stats - Scottish referendum polls
Tim Harford talks to pollsters about how they are trying to gauge the political mood in Scotland, and he analyses Nigel Farage's claim that more than half of Scotland is on benefits. Plus: celebrating Countdown, the longest-running TV quiz show; quantifying malnutrition in the UK; and does the ?Curse of Strictly Come Dancing? really exist?
Cato Daily Podcast - India’s Internal Trade Troubles
India's long habit of subsidizing industry is harming its prospects for trade and the fortunes of the Indian people. Dan Pearson comments.
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Cato Daily Podcast - Our Mangled Patent System
Our patent system has become unweildy and in many cases counterproductive. The Mercatus Center's Eli Dourado comments.
http://www.cato-unbound.org/2014/09/08/eli-dourado/true-story-how-patent-bar-captured-court-shrank-intellectual-commons
http://www.cato-unbound.org/2014/09/08/eli-dourado/true-story-how-patent-bar-captured-court-shrank-intellectual-commons
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Cato Daily Podcast - The Renewed Fight for an Open Internet
Applying old-school utility regulation to the Internet would be a disaster according to Berin Szoka, President of TechFreedom. Tech Freedom's new site, Don't Break The Net.
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Cato Daily Podcast - Philadelphia’s Civil Asset Forfeiture ‘Machine’
The City of Brotherly Love can't get enough of its citizens' property and cash. The city is in a class by itself in the world of civil asset forfeiture, says Institute for Justice attorney Darpana Sheth.
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More or Less: Behind the Stats - WS MoreOrLess: To ice or not to ice?
The ALS ice bucket challenge has become a viral phenomenon. People around the world have been dousing themselves in ice-cold water and in the process have raised over $100m for charity. But a true nerd doesn't run with the herd, and Tim Harford is only going to do the challenge if the facts stack up. He investigates whether a viral challenge like this is good for charitable giving overall, and whether there are reasons to be more choosy about the charities we give to. This programme was first broadcast on the BBC World Service.
Cato Daily Podcast - The Fight for Scholarship Tax Credits in Florida
Scholarship tax credits for education face another legal challenge in Florida. Andrew Coulson talks about the policy and the constitutional argument.
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More or Less: Behind the Stats - To ice or not to ice?
The ALS ice bucket challenge viral phenomenon has raised over $100m. Is this good for charitable giving overall, and should we be more choosy about the charities we give to? Plus: is there a 'rising tide' of anti-Semitism in Europe; does Shakespeare have the largest vocabulary, or is the Bard bested by hip hop?s finest; and is the current generation of young people likely to live shorter lives than their parents?