Why Does Everyone Hate Rats? (Update)
22 April - 40 minsNew York City’s mayor called them “public enemy number one.” History books say they caused the Black Death — although recent scientific evidence disputes that claim. In an updated episode from 2025, we ask: Is the rat a scapegoat? And what does our rat hatred say about us?
SOURCES:
Bethany Brookshire, author of Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains.
Kathy Corradi, senior vice president of resident services, partnerships, and initiatives at the New York City Housing Authority.
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...
Series Episodes
671. Why Has There Been So Little Progress on Alzheimer’s Disease?
One possibility: a leading hypothesis pursued by researchers (and funders) was built on science that now appears to be fraudulent. Stephen Dubner speaks with the scientist and the journalist who blew the whistle.
1 hour 1 min
17 April Finished
670. Beeconomics 101
How do beekeepers make a living? Why is there so much honey fraud? And why did billions of bees suddenly disappear? To find out, guest host Steve Levitt activates his hive mind.
55 mins
10 April Finished
Ten Myths About the U.S. Tax System (Update)
Nearly everything that politicians say about taxes is at least half a lie. They are also dishonest when it comes to the national debt. In this update of an episode from 2025, Stephen Dubner finds one of the few people in Washington who is willing to tell the truth — and it’s even worse than you think.
1 hour 4 mins
8 April Finished
669. Why Is 95 Percent of the World’s Bourbon Made in Kentucky?
Is it tradition … or protectionism? And what happens when the bourbon boom turns into a glut?
46 mins
3 April Finished
668. Do Taylor Swift and Bad Bunny Have Blood on Their Hands?
As one researcher told us: “We’ve engineered a world where the most distracting device ever made is also the one we use to listen to music in the car." A new study tries to measure the cost.
53 mins
27 March Finished
