Thinking of Bitcoin as just a digital currency is like thinking about the Internet as just e-mail. Its potential is much more exciting than that.

In many ways, the gender gap is closing. In others, not so much. And that's not always a bad thing.

A psychology professor argues that the brain's greatest attribute is knowing what other people are thinking. And that a Queen song, played backwards, can improve your mind-reading skills.

Yes, it expands the mind but we usually don't retain much -- and then there's the opportunity cost.

In most countries, houses get more valuable over time. In Japan, a new buyer will often bulldoze the home. We'll tell you why.

The consequences of our low marriage rate -- and if the old model is less attractive, how about a new one?

The myths of modern marriage.

Thick markets, thin markets, and the triumph of attributes over compatibility.
This episode is included in the Freakonomics #smartbinge podcast playlist at wnyc.org/smartbinge

The "beauty premium" is real, for everyone from babies to NFL quarterbacks.

The benefits of rumor-mongering