Hey there, it's Stephen Dubner.

Before we get started today, a recommendation.

Michael Lewis is one of the most insightful American nonfiction writers of our generation,

going back to Liars Poker, but also Moneyball, Big Short, and the Undoing Project.

We had him on this show to talk about the Undoing Project, episode number 271.

It's called The Men Who Started A Thinking Revolution.

Anyway, Michael Lewis also has a podcast.

It is called Against the Rules.

It's about fairness, or the lack thereof, and it is excellent.

It's produced by Pushkin Industries and Season 2 has just launched.

So go listen to Against the Rules.

You can find it where every listen to Frekenomics radio, and stay tuned at the end of this episode

for a preview of Against the Rules.

Okay, now buckle up for an episode that even in the age of COVID-19 may give you reasons

to be cheerful.

This episode is not about the COVID-19 epidemic, unless you think it is.

You'll understand what I mean as we proceed.

Let's start with a long-time journalist.

I'm John Tierney.

For years, Tierney wrote for The New York Times.

He and I actually worked together there for a few years, but way before that, when he

was just starting out.

...