The World Is (Still) Drowning in Sludge

世界仍在泥潭中挣扎

Freakonomics Radio

2026-06-24

54 分钟
PDF

单集简介 ...

Insurance forms that make no sense. Subscriptions that can’t be cancelled. A never-ending blizzard of automated notifications. In this update of a 2025 episode, Stephen Dubner discovers where all this sludge comes from — and how much it’s costing us.   SOURCES: Benjamin Handel, professor of economics at UC Berkeley. Neale Mahoney, professor of economics at Stanford University. Richard Thaler, professor of economics at The University of Chicago.   RESOURCES: "Selling Subscriptions," by Liran Einav, Ben Klopack, and Neale Mahoney (Stanford University, 2023). "The ‘Enshittification’ of TikTok," by Cory Doctorow (WIRED, 2023). "Dominated Options in Health Insurance Plans," by Chenyuan Liu and Justin Sydnor (American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 2022). Nudge: The Final Edition, by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein (2021). "Frictions or Mental Gaps: What’s Behind the Information We (Don’t) Use and When Do We Care?" by Benjamin Handel and Joshua Schwartzstein (Journal of Economic Perspectives, 2018). "Adverse Selection and Switching Costs in Health Insurance Markets: When Nudging Hurts," by Benjamin Handel (National Bureau of Economic Research, 2011).   EXTRAS: "Sludge," series by Freakonomics Radio (2025). "People Aren’t Dumb. The World Is Hard. (Update)" by Freakonomics Radio (2024). "All You Need is Nudge," by Freakonomics Radio (2021). "How to Fix the Hot Mess of U.S. Healthcare," by Freakonomics Radio (2021). "Should We Really Behave Like Economists Say We Do?" by Freakonomics Radio (2015). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
更多

单集文稿 ...

  • For economics radio sponsored by ZipSystem, ZipSystem building enclosures are designed as one integrated

  • roof and wall system that makes it faster and easier to create a tight, dry building enclosure.

  • Instead of a mix and match approach, all components work together as one system, eliminating

  • the need for house wrap and felt because they keep your build protected against weather starting from day one.

  • That means fewer steps and less opportunities for delays.

  • Explore their family of products and learn more at ZipSystem.com.

  • Pre-economics radio is sponsored by Progressive.

  • Insurance isn't one size fits all.

  • That's why drivers have trusted Progressive's name your price tool for years.

  • Just tell Progressive what you want to pay and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget.

  • Visit progressive.com to find a car insurance rate that works for you.

  • Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates.

  • Price and coverage match limited by state law.

  • The economics radio is sponsored by Mint Mobile.

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data, and fast, reliable coverage on the nation's largest 5G network.

  • No catch.

  • To get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, go to mintmobile.com slash freak.

  • That's it.

  • There's no catch.

  • $45 upfront payment required, equivalent to $15 a month.