Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

Tim Harford's life has been building up to this moment. In this Cautionary Conversation, he discusses the works of his favorite author J.R.R. Tolkien and the social science at play in Amazon Prime's series The Rings of Power. What do elves and whistleblowers have in common? How can evil hide in plain sight? And where do orcs come from? Season 2 of The Rings of Power is available to watch on Prime Video from August 29th. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Young doctor Jesse Lazear has deadly Yellow Fever. He thrashes around and convulses in his sick bed, and his vomit is black. He is just 34 when he dies. Curiously, mosquito expert Lazear was researching the disease when he became ill. Some historians think his infection wasn't an accident, and that he was secretly experimenting on himself... Today, human challenge trials - where volunteers are intentionally given a disease under the watchful eye of medical support - are rare. The authorities are wary of the risks involved. But such trials can also mean that vaccines are developed faster and thousands of lives are saved. Is it time to start thinking differently about experimenting on humans? For a full list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com [http://timharford.com/]. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Cautionary Conversation: Steve Jobs hated his phone so much that he smashed it against a wall. He also referred to mobile carriers as "orifices". Yet he went on to invent the world's most popular smartphone. Why did he change his mind? Tim Harford and organizational psychologist Adam Grant (Think Again, Hidden Potential) discuss the consequences of letting our ideas become part of our identity; when it's essential to adapt; and whether frogs really do stay sitting in slowly boiling water. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Legends are made at the Olympics and this summer shows across the Pushkin network are bringing their unique takes to Olympic stories. This special episode includes excerpts from a few: a Cautionary Tale about underestimating female marathoners, a Jesse Owens story from Revisionist History’s series on Hitler’s Olympics, and—from What’s Your Problem—the new technology that’s helping Olympic athletes get stronger. Check out other show feeds as well, the Happiness Lab and A Slight Change of Plans are also going to the Games. Sylvia Blemker of Springbok Analytics on What’s Your Problem [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scanning-every-muscle-to-help-olympians-get-stronger/id1602541473?i=1000660382000] The Women Who Broke the Marathon Taboo on Cautionary Tales [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/run-switzer-run-the-women-who-broke-the-marathon-taboo/id1484511465?i=1000661040577] Hitler’s Olympics from Revisionist History [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hitlers-olympics-part-1-the-blue-eyed-tornado/id1119389968?i=1000660359696] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The disappearance and death of Mitrice Richardson remains Malibu, CA’s most baffling unsolved case. It’s been nearly 14 years since her remains were discovered in a remote canyon, and still, no one has been held accountable for her demise. To this day, her death remains an unsolved mystery. The truth lies in the remote Malibu community where Mitrice was last seen. And now, finally, people are starting to talk. Enjoy this episode from Lost Hills: Dark Canyon [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lost-hills-dark-canyon/id1549249596]. Available wherever you listen to podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.