Photo by AUDREY BERNSTEIN
Freakonomics Radio, one of the ten most popular podcasts in the country, is hosting a live show at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia on June 6th and we have a pair of tickets to give away to some lucky Phawker reader. What’s that you say? “What is this *makes sarcastic air quotes* freakin’ nomix thing you speak of?” Oh brother, where art thou?!? Time to get your freak on. Here’s a brief history of time as it applies to Freakonomics from their web site:
It began when New York journalist and author Stephen J. Dubner [pictured] went to Chicago to write about award-winning economist Steven D. Levitt for The New York Times Magazine. Dubner had been reluctant to take the assignment (he was in the middle of writing a book about the psychology of money). Levitt was reluctant to be shadowed by a journalist (but his mother loved the Times Magazine, so he gave in). The article came out, and led to an unexpected partnership. Levitt and Dubner wrote Freakonomics, a book about cheating teachers, bizarre baby names, self-dealing Realtors, and crack-selling mama’s boys. They figured it would sell about 80 copies. Instead, it took up long-term residency on the Times best-seller list, and went on to sell more than 5 million copies in 40 languages. Then they wrote SuperFreakonomics. It too became a worldwide best-seller. Together, the books have sold 7 million copies worldwide. A lot of other stuff happened, too. A blog. A documentary film. Jon Stewart and Beauty and the Geek! Lectures. A pair of pants. A radio show. Not bad for a partnership born of such profound reluctance.
OK, now that we’re all up to speed, let’s get you into a pair of tickets to see the show. To qualify to win them, you must be signed up for our mailing list (see right, below the masthead), trust us you want to do this. You get first dibs on concert ticket giveaways, breaking news alerts and other assorted be-the-first-on-your-block type shit. After you sign up, send us an email at PHAWKER66@GMAIL.COM saying as much (or that you were already signed up) along with the correct answer to the following Freakonomics trivia question: Before he became a famous author/journalist, Freakonomics Radio host Stephen J. Dubner was an indie rocker, what was the name of the band [pictured below] he played in during the mid-80’s? Hint: they were signed to Arista for a hot minute and the drummer was local-paperboy-made-good Jon Wurster of Superchunk/Mountain Goats/Bob Mould/Psychotic Norman fame. Put the magic words SUPERFREAK in the subject line. Please include your full name as it appears on your photo ID along with a mobile number for confirmation. (This information will not be retained, sold or shared.) Good luck and godspeed!
