meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
No Stupid Questions

12. Does “As If” Thinking Really Work?

No Stupid Questions

Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

Society & Culture

4.63.7K Ratings

🗓️ 3 August 2020

⏱️ 33 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Also: how effective is the placebo effect?

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

I can do open heart surgery, come on, I've seen it three times.

0:02.8

Hi!

0:03.7

I'm Antelod Duckworth.

0:04.8

I'm Stephen Dobner.

0:05.8

And you're listening to no stupid questions.

0:08.1

Today on the show, can you actually fake it till you make it?

0:13.5

So I'm a nine-year-old kid.

0:14.8

Yeah, I can drive.

0:15.9

Yeah.

0:17.4

Also, why do placebos make us feel better?

0:21.1

I know you told down and you're leading profusely,

0:24.3

but I have a cheeseburger for you.

0:27.2

Angela, I read about a psychological trick of sorts,

0:32.4

and I'm wondering if it has any validity.

0:34.4

Are you willing to hear me out in past judgment?

0:37.0

Of course I am.

0:37.8

Go ahead.

0:38.9

So the purpose of this trick is to get yourself out

0:41.2

of a depressive or bad mood.

0:43.4

And this comes from Kora.

0:46.0

I'll read the entry.

0:46.8

It was written by a mental health counselor named Aaron Doodle.

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.