Malcolm Gladwell joins Tim Harford to discuss our recent three-part tale about the race to reach the South Pole. There's talk of imperial decline; the power of the underdog; why getting everything you want is actually a handicap; and limes... lots and lots of limes.   

Malcolm Gladwell joins Tim Harford to discuss our recent three-part tale about the race to reach the South Pole. There's talk of imperial decline; the power of the underdog; why getting everything you want is actually a handicap; and limes... lots and lots of limes.

We tell our children unsettling fairy tales to teach them valuable lessons, but these Cautionary Tales are for the education of the grown ups – and they are all true. Tim Harford (Financial Times, BBC, author of “The Data Detective”) brings you stories of awful human error, tragic catastrophes, and hilarious fiascos. They'll delight you, scare you, but also make you wiser. New episodes every other Friday.

We tell our children unsettling fairy tales to teach them valuable lessons, but these Cautionary Tales are for the education of the grown ups – and they are all true. Tim Harford (Financial Times, BBC, author of “The Data Detective”) brings you stories of awful human error, tragic catastrophes, and hilarious fiascos. They'll delight you, scare you, but also make you wiser. New episodes every other Friday.

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

We tell our children unsettling fairy tales to teach them valuable life lessons, but these Cautionary Tales are for the education of the grown ups – and they are all true. Tim Harford (Financial Times, BBC, author of “The Data Detective” and “The Undercover Economist”) brings you stories of awful human error, tragic catastrophes, daring heists and hilarious fiascos. They'll delight you, scare you, but also make you wiser.

We tell our children unsettling fairy tales to teach them valuable life lessons, but these Cautionary Tales are for the education of the grown ups – and they are all true. Tim Harford (Financial Times, BBC, author of “The Data Detective” and “The Undercover Economist”) brings you stories of awful human error, tragic catastrophes, daring heists and hilarious fiascos. They'll delight you, scare you, but also make you wiser.

"Who would you dine with? Scott or Amundsen?" Malcolm Gladwell and Tim Harford  in Discussion.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c6347e5e-7193-4254-8bb8-aef200d0c2e5/transcript

Take the Cautionary Tales listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCHGGZ3

What really drove the 2008 financial crash? What’s a shadow bank? And what’s the connection between NIMBYs and BANANAs? Tim Harford and Jacob Goldstein answer more of your questions.

Do you have a question for Tim? Please send it in to tales@pushkin.fm.

Take the Cautionary Tales listener survey here: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCHGGZ3" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCHGGZ3&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729884952533000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ELlG6ziHuuJhKEdquu7Wg">https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCHGGZ3</a>
What really drove the 2008 financial crash? What’s a shadow bank? And what’s the connection between NIMBYs and BANANAs? Tim Harford and Jacob Goldstein answer more of your questions.
Do you have a question for Tim? Please send it in to <a href="mailto:tales@pushkin.fm">tales@pushkin.fm</a>.

RoboPod and the Perpetual Money Machine - Cautionary Questions 2

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d9f87644-44d5-42bc-be5f-b22e014bfd36/transcript

Take the Cautionary Tales listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCHGGZ3

Charles Darwin was stumped by peacocks. According to his theory of evolution, some creatures were better equipped to survive in their particular environment than others. It explained a lot - but it didn't explain the peacock's brightly coloured tail feathers, which were extravagant and cumbersome. Surely such plumage made it harder for peacocks to survive?

It so happens that the life of Darwin's own grandfather offered clues to the puzzle of the peacock's tail - if only he'd known to look there...

For a full list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com.

Take the Cautionary Tales listener survey here: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCHGGZ3" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCHGGZ3&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729884952533000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ELlG6ziHuuJhKEdquu7Wg">https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCHGGZ3</a>
Charles Darwin was stumped by peacocks. According to his theory of evolution, some creatures were better equipped to survive in their particular environment than others. It explained a lot - but it didn't explain the peacock's brightly coloured tail feathers, which were extravagant and cumbersome. Surely such plumage made it harder for peacocks to survive?
It so happens that the life of Darwin's own grandfather offered clues to the puzzle of the peacock's tail - if only he'd known to look there...
For a full list of sources, see the show notes at <a href="http://timharford.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://timharford.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1731001488462000&amp;usg=AOvVaw182hvri6RSP21OX-dN1nYc">timharford.com</a>.

Darwin's Grandpa and the Art of Sex Appeal

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/c4e920e6-cc40-4acb-9fbb-b22001527b47/transcript

Take the Cautionary Tales listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCHGGZ3

In 1827, Edinburgh, Scotland was a world centre for anatomical study, but there was a shortage of cadavers for medical students to dissect. Two men, William Burke and William Hare, spotted a grim business opportunity. They began sourcing bodies - by any means possible...

In this episode of Cautionary Tales - recorded live at the Podcast Show in London - true crime meets economics. Tim Harford's hair-raising story explores a question: what makes some markets acceptable, and others repugnant?

For a full list of sources, see the show notes at timharford.com

Take the Cautionary Tales listener survey here: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCHGGZ3" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCHGGZ3&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729884952533000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ELlG6ziHuuJhKEdquu7Wg">https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCHGGZ3</a>
In 1827, Edinburgh, Scotland was a world centre for anatomical study, but there was a shortage of cadavers for medical students to dissect. Two men, William Burke and William Hare, spotted a grim business opportunity. They began sourcing bodies - by any means possible...
In this episode of Cautionary Tales - recorded live at the Podcast Show in London - true crime meets economics. Tim Harford's hair-raising story explores a question: what makes some markets acceptable, and others repugnant?
For a full list of sources, see the show notes at <a href="http://timharford.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://timharford.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1729771054859000&amp;usg=AOvVaw066CGLyo0FDxOzacgfoQTz">timharford.com</a>

The Edinburgh Body Snatchers: Murder at Halloween

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/2b3e4ec4-96d8-4d65-82da-b21200fdf887/transcript

"Who would you dine with? Scott or Amundsen?" Malcolm Gladwell and Tim Harford in Discussion.

In 1 playlist(s)

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips