Introducing: Cautionary Tales

It's 1990. A new company called General Magic is going to build its vision of the future: the smart phone. They have talent, almost unlimited cash, and a 15 year head start on the iPhone. What could go wrong? This episode was based, with permission, on David Epstein's book Inside ...  Show more

Evel Knievel, the world-famous daredevil, is planning his greatest ever stunt. In 1974, he wants to leap over Snake River Canyon in Idaho. The chasm is almost a third of a mile wide, much bigger than any jump he's done before. To make it work, he'll need a custom-made rocket-powe ...  Show more

Here’s a special preview of the new season of Cautionary Tales from Pushkin Industries. On Cautionary Tales, bestselling author Tim Harford shares stories of human error, natural disasters, and tragic catastrophes from history that teach us important lessons for today. In this pr ...  Show more

What can history teach us about the present? How can the average person use critical thinking to avoid being taken in by slick infographics and ardent pundits? In today’s interview, Ben, Matt and Noel sit down with legendary economist, author and podcaster Tim Harford to learn ...

History can be amusing, as these two tales from the Cabinet will illustrate. Pre-order the official Cabinet of Curiosities book by clicking here today, and get ready to enjoy some curious reading this November!Join our Patreon for ad-free episodes!: https://www.patreon.com/griman ...  Show more

There's a lot to get upset about in life, but these two stories are perfect proof that sometimes one era's complaint is another's curiosity.