Tom Sawyer and constructed preferences

Why do smart people keep making predictably bad decisions? Behavioral economist Alex Imas joins us to unpack The Winner’s Curse, loss aversion, and the persistent biases that shape markets, policy, and everyday choices. We explore why classic economic models fall short and what behavioral economics reveals about how humans really decide.

[0:00] Introduction and speed round with Alex Imas

[11:55] The Winner’s Curse and its implications

[21:13] Behavioral economics and standard economic matters

[28:01] Loss aversion and decision-making

[35:04] Behavioral economics in policy and law

[41:00] Tom Sawyer economics

[47:30] Social media, attention, and exploitation of bias

[56:38] The importance of cooperation and social systems

[58:40] New music in 2026

[1:07:53] Grooving session: framing, preferences, and happiness

©2026 Behavioral Grooves

The Winner’s Curse by Richard Thaler and Alex Imas

About Alex

Join us on Substack!

Join the Behavioral Grooves community

Subscribe to Behavioral Grooves on YouTube

Support Behavioral Grooves

Fontaines DC - I Love You

ALEXSUCKS - The Gutter