Stephen Dubner

Glazer is the author of a book called Triumph of the City, how our greatest invention makes us richer, smarter, greener, healthier, and happier. And the fact is that cities and rats seem to be an inevitable pairing. In the ruins of Pompeii, there were rats. To estimate the size of human populations in ancient cities, modern scientists use archaeological evidence of rat populations.

To an economist, do rats present an obvious economic angle or maybe even multiple ones? Well, sure.

To an economist, do rats present an obvious economic angle or maybe even multiple ones? Well, sure.

To an economist, do rats present an obvious economic angle or maybe even multiple ones? Well, sure.

Now, there was reportedly a big surge in rat population in New York City starting around 2020. I'm curious to know your thoughts on why. Obviously, COVID is a factor to consider. There were, in the aftermath of COVID, the eruption of hundreds, maybe thousands of outdoor dining sheds outside of restaurants. So I'm curious what you think of all that.

Now, there was reportedly a big surge in rat population in New York City starting around 2020. I'm curious to know your thoughts on why. Obviously, COVID is a factor to consider. There were, in the aftermath of COVID, the eruption of hundreds, maybe thousands of outdoor dining sheds outside of restaurants. So I'm curious what you think of all that.

Now, there was reportedly a big surge in rat population in New York City starting around 2020. I'm curious to know your thoughts on why. Obviously, COVID is a factor to consider. There were, in the aftermath of COVID, the eruption of hundreds, maybe thousands of outdoor dining sheds outside of restaurants. So I'm curious what you think of all that.

Now, if I recall correctly, you were born and raised in Manhattan. Indeed. One could imagine that rats destroy or degrade the reputation of a city like New York. Do you put much stock in that argument?

Now, if I recall correctly, you were born and raised in Manhattan. Indeed. One could imagine that rats destroy or degrade the reputation of a city like New York. Do you put much stock in that argument?

Now, if I recall correctly, you were born and raised in Manhattan. Indeed. One could imagine that rats destroy or degrade the reputation of a city like New York. Do you put much stock in that argument?

Although from what I've seen, the last number is 2023. It looked like in New York City, 24 people were diagnosed with leptospirosis, the highest number of reported cases in a single year. But this city of over 8 million. So that sounds like a pretty minor threat.

Although from what I've seen, the last number is 2023. It looked like in New York City, 24 people were diagnosed with leptospirosis, the highest number of reported cases in a single year. But this city of over 8 million. So that sounds like a pretty minor threat.

Although from what I've seen, the last number is 2023. It looked like in New York City, 24 people were diagnosed with leptospirosis, the highest number of reported cases in a single year. But this city of over 8 million. So that sounds like a pretty minor threat.

But that's also people. I understand dogs get leptospirosis as well. And that maybe is a bigger problem for New Yorkers.

But that's also people. I understand dogs get leptospirosis as well. And that maybe is a bigger problem for New Yorkers.

But that's also people. I understand dogs get leptospirosis as well. And that maybe is a bigger problem for New Yorkers.

Coming up after the break, is the threat of disease really what this is about?

Coming up after the break, is the threat of disease really what this is about?

Coming up after the break, is the threat of disease really what this is about?

I'm Stephen Dubner. This is Freakonomics Radio, and we will be right back. I'm sorry. We will be right back. A rat is a rodent, a member of the order Rodentia, which contains over 2000 species. Nearly half of all mammals are rodents. They are famous for their gnawing ability, which is carried out by large pairs of upper and lower front incisors.