Category: Series

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More or Less: Behind the Stats - How do you breed seventeen octillion rats?

Are GPs really working less hours per week? Does Wetherspoons really pay one in every ?1000 of tax in the UK? Are more people in the UK economically inactive? How long does it take two rats to produce 17 octillion rats?

Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news.

Presenter: Tim Harford Reporters: Natasha Fernandes and Bethan Ashmead-Latham Producer: Nathan Gower Series producer: Tom Colls Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison Sound mix: Sarah Hockley Editor: Richard Vadon

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The Indicator from Planet Money - Is an American sovereign wealth fund such a bad idea?

Sovereign wealth funds have been around since the 1800s, but they're having a bit of a moment right now ... The financial instrument was recently name-dropped in HBOs 'Industry' (good show!) and members of both the Biden administration and the Trump campaign have floated the idea of an American sovereign wealth fund.

That idea, for the most part, has been derided by economists. But... is an American sovereign wealth fund such a bad idea?

On today's show: What IS a sovereign wealth fund? Is a US national sovereign wealth fund a good or even viable idea?

Related Episodes:
Why oil in Guyana could be a curse
The boom and bust of esports

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Cato Daily Podcast - Reforming State and Local Economic Development Subsidies

Offering subsidies is how many states show interest in bringing in a new business enterprise and states regularly try to offer more than other states can, but it doesn't have to be that way. Marc Joffe explains how states can get out of the trap of playing the subsidies game against their neighbors.

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The Indicator from Planet Money - Mail bag! Grad jobs, simplified branding and central bank independence

Penny for your thoughts? Today we open our mail bag to hear from Indicator listeners. A college graduate tells us about their job search, a researcher discusses why products advertised as 'simple' may not be so straightforward, and another listener thinks the debate over Fed independence is a little more nuanced than we let on.

Heard something on the show you liked (or didn't)? Have an insight to share about the economy? Send us an email: indicator@npr.org!

Related episodes:
Should presidents have more say in interest rates? (Apple / Spotify)
We grade Fed Chair Jerome Powell (Apple / Spotify)
Trade wars and talent shortages (Apple / Spotify)
If the world had no accountants (Apple / Spotify)
The case for inflation

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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More or Less: Behind the Stats - The puzzles you?re meant to get wrong

Why do some puzzles make us immediately leap to the wrong conclusion?

That?s the subject of Alex Bellos? new book Think Twice, which has page after page of questions designed to deceive.

Alex sets Tim Harford some of his favourite puzzles.

Presenter: Tim Harford Series producer: Tom Colls Production co-ordinator: Katie Morrison and Janet Staples Sound mix: Donald MacDonald Editor: Richard Vadon

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The Indicator from Planet Money - America’s small GDP bump, China’s big stimulus dispersal, and a Monkey King

It's time for ... Indicators of the Week! It is our show where we talk about fascinating numbers from the news. On today's episode, America's small GDP increase, a big assist from China's government to its lower income residents, and a high-grossing, centuries-old Monkey King.

Related Episodes:
How Red Lobster got cooked and other indicators
China's luxury liquor indicator

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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The Indicator from Planet Money - What does the next era of Social Security look like?

Peak 65 is here. More than 4 million Americans will turn 65 each year between 2024 and 2027, representing the largest retirement surge in history. Years ago, older Americans could count on Social Security. But today there is some uncertainty on the program's solvency in the next decade plus. Now, many are entering their golden years with financial insecurity. Today on the show, how did Social Security become a thing? And what could the safety net for the Peak 65 generation and beyond look like?

James Chappel's book: Golden Years: How Americans Invented and Reinvented Old AgeGolden Years: How Americans Invented and Reinvented Old Age

Related episodes:
Iceberg ahead for Social Security (Apple / Spotify)
What would it take to fix retirement? (Apple / Spotify)
Social Insecurity

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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