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

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).

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