Since its publication in 2005, millions of people have read "Freakonomics." The best selling book, written by economist Steven Levitt and New York Times reporter Stephen Dubner, examines pop culture and everyday life through the economic lens of incentives. The result was unexpectedly funny and popular enough to have spawned a newly emerging media empire, including Freakonomics Radio and "Freakonomics: The Movie."

In the wake of attempted and successful suicide bombings on an airplane and at a CIA base, American attention is riveted on how to identify potential terrorists and cope with the costs of attacks.  But conventional wisdom about these attackers and their attacks is often wrong, and the costs can significantly add up even when far from the site of a potential blast. Our friend Stephen Dubner, co-author of “SuperFreakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance” and the Freakonomics blog on nytimes.com joins us to talk about how we frequently let terrorists succeed ... even when they fail.

This year’s football season … full of exciting games and undefeated teams ... is also unfolding amidst concerns over head injuries to players. But what would happen if the helmets meant to protect players' heads were removed from the game? "SuperFreakonomics" co-author Stephen Dubner reports on the surprising outcomes, with safeguards and incentives included, of course.

Click through to watch a video of Cal's electric tailback Jahvid Best, who was diagnosed with a concussion after taking a serious fall earlier this month.

 

People (and economists) have long thought that humans have a basic inclination toward altruism: toward helping one another without thinking of a reward. Stephen Dubner, co-author of "SuperFreakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance" tells the story of how this was called into question and how studies complicate the picture of what motivates human beings.

The new "SuperFreakonomics" book has attracted some passionate criticism from climate scientists and a community of writers, researchers and scholars for a chapter on global warming. Co-authors Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt reject the idea that reducing carbon emissions should be the sole focus for addressing global warming, and dive into an array of bold ideas for "geoengineering," which would allow people to directly change temperatures on Earth. Stephen Dubner joins us to explain and defend the Freakonomics approach.

Freakonomics co-author Stephen Dubner asked for a new six-word motto for the United States. He's picked his finalists (in ALL CAPS) over on his blog, but we're asking for yours too. Vote on your favorite motto below, then add your own!

Voting is now closed, but you can still leave your comments as always. Thanks for your entries and votes!

Click through to view the results...

On Sunday, the powerhouse Pittsburgh Steelers face off against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl 43. The Cardinals are the underdog, so if you don't have loyalties to either team you might be tempted to root for Arizona. But hold on just a second. The Takeaway is talking to Stephen Dubner, author of Freakonomics and unabashed Steelers fan, who has a list of ten reasons to root for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Not a Steelers fan? Here are all the reasons to love the Arizona Cardinals.

What we fear and why we fear it is the new favorite topic of economist Stephen Dubner, co-author of the "Freakonomics" book and New York Times blog. In the context of the New Year's Day bombings in Aspen and the Muslim family who were removed from a commercial flight, he joins John and Adaora to explain why the things we fear the most are simply irrational.

Be sure to read Stephen Dubner's blog post on fear, The Cost of Fearing Strangers.

An American president's economic advisers are arguably the most influential group of financial policymakers in the world. So why is that team so often free of high-regarded economists? "Freakonomics" co-author Stephen Dubner joins the program.

The brilliant young men and women who were plucked from college by booming banks are now looking for other options. This is a good thing, and history proves it, says Stephen Dubner, co-author of the "Freakonomics" book and blog. Americans can look forward to talented, hard-working people spreading out through the economy, in ways that may buoy our GDP.

Conventional wisdom suggests that the more a political candidate spends on campaigning, the more likely he or she is to win the election. Stephen Dubner, co-author of the Freakonomics book and blog, investigates.

About two and a half million men and women serve in the U.S. military. These days, it's a job that almost certainly involves serving in a war zone, as American soldiers continue to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan. So who chooses to serve in the volunteer military? In many cases, it's not people without other options. [Editor's note (9/23/2008): The number of men and women serving in the military was corrected.]

Takeaway contributor and "Freakonomics" author Stephen Dubner grapples with the balancing act of being a responsible parent and telling his children some cold, hard truths. Dubner wonders when is the right age — and what might be the wrong moment — for a dose of adult-strength reality.

Is the United States a nation with a fundamental misunderstanding of debt, financing and budgeting? "Freakonomics" author Stephen Dubner and a number of economics say it is. Dubner looks at how an absence of financial education hurts us during times of economic instability.

Guest: Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics author

Guest: Stephen Dubner, "Freakonomics" author

"Freakonomics" author Stephen Dubner covers the dubious nature of self-reported data. Why do people lie and, moreover, why do people lie when it conflicts with their own self-interests? One reason, Dubner says, is out of a desire for social acceptance and the preservation of reputation.

Is it healthier to grow your own cherry tomatoes? Or more cost efficient to sew your own linen dress? "Freakonomics" author Stephen Dubner debunks a few myths and talks with John and Adaora about "locavores."