Shows
Freakonomics Radio622. Why Does Everyone Hate Rats?New York City’s mayor calls them “public enemy number one.” History books say they caused the Black Death — although recent scientific evidence disputes that claim. So is the rat a scapegoat? And what does our rat hatred say about us? (Part one of a three-part series.) SOURCES:Bethany Brookshire, author of Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains.Kathy Corradi, director of rodent mitigation for New York City.Ed Glaeser, professor of economics at Harvard University.Nils Stenseth, professor of ecology and evolution at the University of Oslo. RESOURCES:"On Patrol With the Rat Czar," by...2025-02-1441 min
How Epidemics EndNils Chr. Stenseth And Barbara Bramanti On Evolutionary And Ecological Ends Of EpidemicsA discussion on how evolutionary biology and biological anthropology help understand the end of epidemics, particularly plague. Professor Nils Chr. Stenseth (University of Oslo) and Professor Barbara Bramanti (University of Ferrara) discuss with Professor Erica Charters how incorporating ecological and evolutionary understandings of disease explain the end of epidemics.2022-05-1716 min