Category: Series

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More or Less: Behind the Stats - The magic of trigonometry

You might have found it boring in school maths classes, but Matt Parker thinks we should all learn to love trigonometry.

The ?Love Triangle? author talks to Tim Harford about the maths used in GPS, architecture and special effects.

Presenter: Tim Harford Producer: Debbie Richford Series Producer: Tom Colls Production Co-ordinator: Brenda Brown Sound Mix: Nigel Appleton Editor: Richard Vadon

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The Indicator from Planet Money - One of the hottest jobs in AI right now: ‘types-question guy’

U.S. job growth cooled this month. But one job is hot to the touch: AI prompt engineer. The role can command a six figure salary, but ... what is it? Today, we speak to an AI prompt engineer to figure out what they actually do and how long the job could remain hot.

Related:
AI creates, transforms and destroys ... jobs (Apple / Spotify)
If AI is so good, why are there still so many jobs for translators?
Applying for a job? Make sure your resume is AI-Friendly (Apple / Spotify)

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The Indicator from Planet Money - The game theory that led to nuclear standoffs

Last week, Vladimir Putin vowed to make new nuclear weapons and consider placing them close to NATO countries. Meanwhile, here in the US, the government boosted its nuclear weapon spending by 18% between 2022 and 2023.

The world is closer to nuclear war than it's been in at least forty years.

Today on the show: The game theory of nuclear war. When can mathematical models help us, and when can they lead us astray ... even to the brink of destruction?

Guest Kelly Clancy's book is Playing With Reality: How Games Have Shaped Our World.

Related Episodes:
How to get Russia to pay Ukraine
Congressional game theory

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More or Less: Behind the Stats - Election endings, tennis and meeting men in finance

Are Labour right about employment? Are the Conservatives right about cutting NHS managers? Are the Lib Dems right about share buyback? Are Reform UK right about their tax plans?

How do they make the exit poll so accurate?

What are the odds of meeting a very tall man in finance (with a trust fund)?

What does it mean that Roger Federer only won 54% of the points he played?

Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news.

Presenter: Tim Harford Reporter: Kate Lamble Producers: Nathan Gower, Beth Ashmead Latham and Debbie Richford Series producer: Tom Colls Production coordinator: Brenda Brown Sound mix: Rod Farquhar Editor: Richard Vadon

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The Indicator from Planet Money - The economic implications of Europe’s jolt right

Europe is expecting a wave of victories from far-right candidates in upcoming national elections. Voters are showing they're worried about income inequality, immigration and the effects of participating in a global economy. Today, we take a look at what the swing to the right means for Europe's economy and the European stance on globalization.

Related Episodes:
Can Europe fund its defense ambitions (Apple / Spotify)
Why the EU is investigating China's wind turbines (Apple / Spotify)
How vikings launched globalization 1.0

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The Indicator from Planet Money - How the end of Roe is reshaping the medical workforce

It's been two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the right to an abortion, triggering a parade of restrictions and bans in conservative-led states. Today on the show, how the medical labor force is changing post-Roe and why graduating medical students, from OB-GYNs to pediatricians, are avoiding training in states with abortion bans.

Related listening:
What's the cure for America's doctor shortage?
KFF: Medical Residents Are Increasingly Avoiding Abortion Ban States

For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.

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