Whip cream and nuts on top, somebody go grab a maraschino cherry.

I'm Angela Duckworth.

I'm Stephen Dobner.

And you're listening to No Stupid Questions.

Today on the show, why should you exert yourself if you can get other people to do the work

for you?

You're a bad, bad person.

I'm a terrible person.

Also, Stephen shares a special moment of appreciation.

I like Team Duckner.

Dobworth.

Angela, I want to ask a question related to something we discussed not long ago on this

very show.

Shoot.

We were talking about meetings, how bad they often are, how so many meetings are dominated

by noisy people.

We talked about the quote, right size of a given meeting.

But one thing we didn't get to is the idea that meetings can be good for what economists

call free riders, meaning you go along for the ride while someone else is doing the

work.

So let's say you and I and six other people are in a brainstorming meeting.

And I know that you and me have a lot of great ideas.

...