What Do Medieval Nuns and Bo Jackson Have in Common? (Update)

In this episode from 2013, we look at whether spite pays — and if it even exists. SOURCES: Benedikt Herrmann, research officer at the European Commission. Steve Levitt, co-author of Freakonomics and host of People I (Mostly) Admire. Dave O'Connor, president of Times Studios. Lisi Oliver, professor of English at Louisiana State University. E.O. Wilson, naturalist and university research professor emeritus at Harvard University. RESOURCES: You Don't Know Bo: The Legend of Bo Jackson, documentary (2012). "Amputation of the nose throughout history," by G. Sperati (ACTA Otorhinolaryngologica Italica, 2009). "The Appearance of Homo Rivalis: Social Preferences and the Nature of Rent Seeking," by Benedikt Herrmann and Henrik Orzen (Center for Decision Research and Experimental Economics, 2008). EXTRAS: "What It’s Like to Be Middle-Aged (in the Middle Ages)," by Freakonomics Radio (2025). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company.