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.

• SOURCES:
  • Charles Piller, investigative journalist for Science, author of Doctored.
  • Matthew Schrag, associate professor of neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

• RESOURCES:
  • Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's, by Charles Piller (2025).
  • "The brain makes a lot of waste. Now scientists think they know where it goes," by Jon Hamilton (NPR, 2024).
  • "The history of Alzheimer’s disease," by Lisa Kiani and Richard Hodson (Nature, 2024).

• EXTRAS:
  • "Can Marty Makary Fix the F.D.A.?" by Freakonomics Radio (2026).
  • "Are You Ready for the Elder Swell?" by Freakonomics Radio (2025).

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Just beneath the surface of the global economy, there is a hidden layer of dealmakers for whom war, chaos, and sanctions can be a great business opportunity. In this updated episode from 2025, journalists Javier Blas and Jack Farchy help us shine a light on the shadowy realm of commodity traders.

• SOURCES:
  • Javier Blas, opinion columnist at Bloomberg News.
  • Jack Farchy, energy and commodities senior reporter at Bloomberg News.
• RESOURCES:
  • The World For Sale: Money, Power, and the Traders Who Barter the Earth's Resources, by Javier Blas and Jack Farchy (2021)
  • The King of Oil: The Secret Lives of Marc Rich, by Daniel Ammann (2010).
• EXTRAS:
  • "How the Supermarket Helped America Win the Cold War (Update)" by Freakonomics Radio (2024).
  • "The First Great American Industry," by Freakonomics Radio (2023).

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... of bad reviews, meager financing, or artificial intelligence. But he is worried that the world is full of sloppy thinkers who mistake facts for the truth.

• SOURCES:
  • Werner Herzog, writer, filmmaker, and actor.

• RESOURCES:
  • The Future of Truth, by Werner Herzog (2025).
  • Every Man for Himself and God Against All: A Memoir, by Werner Herzog (2023).

• EXTRAS:
  • "When Did We All Start Watching Documentaries?" by Freakonomics Radio (2025).
  • "Werner Herzog Thinks His Films Are a Distraction," by People I (Mostly) Admire (2023).

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