Stephen Dubner

We heard how insurance companies use sludge to ration health care, how subscription services use sludge to avoid cancellations, and how governments are full of sludge because, well, because sludge is an almost inevitable byproduct of bureaucracy. Today, in part two, we look at ways to fight sludge through better legislation,

We heard how insurance companies use sludge to ration health care, how subscription services use sludge to avoid cancellations, and how governments are full of sludge because, well, because sludge is an almost inevitable byproduct of bureaucracy. Today, in part two, we look at ways to fight sludge through better legislation,

We heard how insurance companies use sludge to ration health care, how subscription services use sludge to avoid cancellations, and how governments are full of sludge because, well, because sludge is an almost inevitable byproduct of bureaucracy. Today, in part two, we look at ways to fight sludge through better legislation,

through the use of artificial intelligence, and maybe by hiring a personal sludge coach. I'm not available. That's okay. We are available, starting now.

through the use of artificial intelligence, and maybe by hiring a personal sludge coach. I'm not available. That's okay. We are available, starting now.

through the use of artificial intelligence, and maybe by hiring a personal sludge coach. I'm not available. That's okay. We are available, starting now.

This is Freakonomics Radio, the podcast that explores the hidden side of everything with your host, Stephen Dubner.

This is Freakonomics Radio, the podcast that explores the hidden side of everything with your host, Stephen Dubner.

This is Freakonomics Radio, the podcast that explores the hidden side of everything with your host, Stephen Dubner.

It is a natural temptation to think that your problems are worse than other people's problems. Also, to think that the problems of our generation are worse than previous generations. But as it was written way back in Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under the sun. And so it is with sludge. For many years, it went by another name, a prettier name, red tape.

It is a natural temptation to think that your problems are worse than other people's problems. Also, to think that the problems of our generation are worse than previous generations. But as it was written way back in Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under the sun. And so it is with sludge. For many years, it went by another name, a prettier name, red tape.

It is a natural temptation to think that your problems are worse than other people's problems. Also, to think that the problems of our generation are worse than previous generations. But as it was written way back in Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under the sun. And so it is with sludge. For many years, it went by another name, a prettier name, red tape.

Do you know the story of how red tape got its name? Here, it's a cute story. I'll tell you. It apparently dates back to 16th century Spain and King Charles V, who had his most important legal documents bound in red ribbon, eye-catching and expensive ribbon befitting a king. versus the plain ribbon used for less important documents. This tradition spread through Europe and to America.

Do you know the story of how red tape got its name? Here, it's a cute story. I'll tell you. It apparently dates back to 16th century Spain and King Charles V, who had his most important legal documents bound in red ribbon, eye-catching and expensive ribbon befitting a king. versus the plain ribbon used for less important documents. This tradition spread through Europe and to America.

Do you know the story of how red tape got its name? Here, it's a cute story. I'll tell you. It apparently dates back to 16th century Spain and King Charles V, who had his most important legal documents bound in red ribbon, eye-catching and expensive ribbon befitting a king. versus the plain ribbon used for less important documents. This tradition spread through Europe and to America.

And as governments and legal institutions expanded, there was ever more need to go back into the archives to find these important foundational documents. This meant that lawyers and clerks had to constantly untie and retie those red ribbons, later called red tape. OK, that concludes our history for today. Back to the sludgy present.

And as governments and legal institutions expanded, there was ever more need to go back into the archives to find these important foundational documents. This meant that lawyers and clerks had to constantly untie and retie those red ribbons, later called red tape. OK, that concludes our history for today. Back to the sludgy present.

And as governments and legal institutions expanded, there was ever more need to go back into the archives to find these important foundational documents. This meant that lawyers and clerks had to constantly untie and retie those red ribbons, later called red tape. OK, that concludes our history for today. Back to the sludgy present.

In last week's episode, we met the Stanford economist Neil Mahoney, who spent time in both the Biden and Obama administrations. He is particularly interested in consumer finance, which often means protecting consumers from financial exploitation.

In last week's episode, we met the Stanford economist Neil Mahoney, who spent time in both the Biden and Obama administrations. He is particularly interested in consumer finance, which often means protecting consumers from financial exploitation.