ArchiveFM

Freakonomics Radio

651. The Ultimate Dance Partner

For most of human history, horsepower made the world go. Then came the machines. So why are there still seven million horses in America? (Part one of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”)
Duration
1h 14m
Broadcast on
31 Oct 2025
Audio Format
other

For most of human history, horsepower made the world go. Then came the machines. So why are there still seven million horses in America? (Part one of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”)

 

  • SOURCES:
    • Ann N. Greene, historian of 19th century America, retired professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
    • Constance Hunter, chief economist at the Economist Intelligence Unit.
    • Elizabeth Bortuzzo, professional horse rider.
    • Mark Paul, professor of economics at Rutgers University.
    • Peter Frankopan, professor of global history at Oxford History.

 


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Preeconomic radio is sponsored by Everpure. Is the value of AI not living up to the promise? The problem is probably your data, not your AI models. When it's scattered across different systems, getting your data AI ready is a challenge. You keep your AI waiting and everything slows down. Everpure unifies your data so you can see it, understand it and control it all from one simple place and get it AI-ready fast. Unlock the true value of your AI at EverpureData.com. Preeconomic radio is sponsored by Progressive. Whoever says saving money is hard doesn't know that new customers who bundle and save with Progressive save hundreds because switching your home and auto insurance is better than cutting down on the things you love like those ice lattes that help you get ready to face the day. So switch your home and auto to Progressive and see if you could save and keep sipping away. Your quote today at Progressive.com, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company, Affiliates and other insurers, not available in all states. Preeconomic radio is sponsored by PNC Bank, boring, great word, bad rep. Yet time and time again here at Preeconomics we find that when something culture changing happens, boring things like calculations and careful planning are usually behind it. Which begs the question, why not apply it to other aspects of life, like banking for example? Well PNC Bank did since its inception proving time and again that the best banking strategy isn't the exciting type, but the steady, reliable, definitely not YOLO type. PNC Bank, brilliantly boring since 1865, brilliantly boring since 1865 is a registered mark of the PNC Financial Services Group Inc, PNC Bank National Association member FDIC. Preeconomic radio is sponsored by Hotels.com. Hotels.com helps you find and book the right stay for work faster. With business preferences, save your travel must-haves like gym access or breakfast just once then get tailored results whenever you search for work travel. Plus with a free membership you can save up to 20% on hotels and earn rewards on every stay for future travel. Book now at Hotels.com, visit Hotels.com for details. Hey there, it's Stephen Dubner. Before we get to today's episode, we need your help for an upcoming episode. It's about supplements, brain supplements in particular. Do you take supplements to improve your memory or focus or any other brain function or do you know someone who does? If so, we would like to hear about it. What do you take and why? What kind of effects do you think the supplements have had? I'd also like to know where you got the information that led you to take those supplements. Please make a voice memo using the app on your phone and send it to [email protected]. Make sure you record this voice memo in a quiet place. If you're willing, I'd love you to include your name, age, what you do and where you live. Thanks for that. Also one more thing. If you would like to come see me in person talking about 20 years of Freakonomics and what's next, I will be in Washington DC on November 2nd and in New York City on November

Transcription truncated.

For most of human history, horsepower made the world go. Then came the machines. So why are there still seven million horses in America? (Part one of a series, “The Horse Is Us.”)