What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common? (Update)
25 June 2025

What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common? (Update)

Freakonomics Radio

About

In this episode from 2013, we look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists.

 

    SOURCES:
      Benedikt Herrmann, research officer at the European Commission.Steve Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics and host of People I (Mostly) Admire.Dave O'Connor, president of Times Studios.Lisi Oliver, professor of English at Louisiana State University.E.O. Wilson, naturalist and university research professor emeritus at Harvard University.

 

    RESOURCES:
      You Don't Know Bo: The Legend of Bo Jackson, documentary (2012)."Amputation of the nose throughout history," by G. Sperati (ACTA Otorhinolaryngologica Italica, 2009)."The Appearance of Homo Rivalis: Social Preferences and the Nature of Rent Seeking," by Benedikt Herrmann and Henrik Orzen (Center for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, 2008).

 

    EXTRAS:
      "What It’s Like to Be Middle-Aged (in the Middle Ages)," by Freakonomics Radio (2025).