Hey there, it's Stephen Dovner.

For the past couple of weeks, we have been revisiting our series on the unique aspects

of American culture from our rugged individualism to our spirit of competition.

This week, we will ask one more question in this realm.

Why is US media so negative?

If you'd like to catch up on the rest of the series, or you want to listen to any of

our episodes, you can find it all on any podcast app and our entire archive is also available

at Freekonomics.com along with transcripts and show notes.

As always, thanks for listening.

I'd like you to imagine, and this shouldn't be very hard, but imagine you're in the midst

of a growing pandemic.

A 12th fatality has now been reported here in the United States.

ER doctors saying we are on the verge of a medical disaster.

And let's say you want to be as informed as possible.

The daily coronavirus death toll in the United States might hit 3,000 by early June.

The coronavirus forcing millions more Americans into virtual lockdown.

This dangerous health crisis could dovetail quickly into a political crisis.

Now let's say you are an economics professor watching this news for hours a day.

How does the information you're getting add to your understanding of the pandemic?

I honestly thought I was going crazy.

The economist in question here is Bruce Sasserdot at Dartmouth College.

I'm very utilitarian and I was looking for useful information and hence my frustration

...