Freakonomics Radio Is San Francisco a Failed State? (And Other Questions You Shouldn’t Ask the Mayor)
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Jan 22, 2025 
London Breed, former mayor of San Francisco, dives into the city's ongoing challenges, emphasizing homelessness and crime while sharing personal resilience stories. Koleman Strumpf, an economist, humorously navigates the complexities of illicit markets like sports betting and cannabis, and contrasts traditional polling with prediction markets. Erik Brynjolfsson discusses the potential of AI as a human-centered tool, advocating for technology that enhances rather than replaces human ability. It's a dynamic conversation interweaving urban struggles and economic insights.
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Weedmaps Data Collection
- Coleman Strumpf collected data from Weedmaps to analyze legal and illegal cannabis dispensaries.
- He cross-referenced this data with state records and Google Maps to determine legality.
Illegal Weed Shop Proliferation
- A large percentage of weed shops operate illegally due to lack of enforcement.
- Distinguishing between legal and illegal shops is challenging for law enforcement.
Betting Markets vs. Polling
- Betting markets predict elections more accurately than polls, according to Coleman Strumpf.
- He argues that bettors consider diverse information sources beyond personal biases.