

More or Less
BBC Radio 4
Tim Harford explains - and sometimes debunks - the numbers and statistics used in political debate, the news and everyday life
Episodes
Mentioned books

5 snips
Jun 8, 2024 • 9min
Why medical error is not the third leading cause of death in the US
Professor Mary Dixon-Woods from Cambridge University debunks the claim that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the US. The discussion explores instances of medical errors, challenges in attributing deaths solely to mistakes, controversies in research methods, and the importance of accurate reporting for patient safety in healthcare.

Jun 5, 2024 • 30min
Debate, Reform, tax evasion and ants
The podcast delves into suspicious claims in election debates, Reform UK's policy documents, cracking down on tax evasion, and the intriguing question of whether all humans weigh more than ants. Tune in for a mix of politics, statistics, and an amusing segment on ants.

5 snips
Jun 1, 2024 • 9min
Data for India
Chennai-based data communicator Rukmini S discusses India's election data trends and the impact on governing party, focusing on fertility rates, healthcare improvements, development progress, and challenges in female empowerment and economic participation.

May 29, 2024 • 29min
UK growth, prisons and Swiftonomics
Dr Madeleine Sumption from the Migration Observatory at Oxford talks about falling net migration. The podcast also debunks claims about Taylor Swift's economic impact and explores the reasons behind the rising UK prison population.

6 snips
May 25, 2024 • 10min
Is intermittent fasting going to kill you?
Dr. Donald Lloyd-Jones discusses the misconceptions of intermittent fasting, highlighting its benefits for weight management and health. The podcast explores the controversy of time-restricted eating and cardiovascular health, analyzing studies on the risks associated with consuming meals within an 8-hour window. The discussion also delves into associations in epidemiology and the need for further research on the implications of time-restricted eating on cardiovascular health.

May 22, 2024 • 29min
MP misconduct, NHS waiting lists and gold (gold)
Investigating the accuracy of statistics on pregnancy chances, MP misconduct investigations, and NHS waiting lists. Debunking claims of 685 years to clear NHS waitlists and 10% of MPs under investigation. Exploring the impact of gold on UK export figures and the correct method for calculating pregnancy probabilities. Delving into the decline in UK's goods trade post-Brexit and during the pandemic.

May 18, 2024 • 10min
Are falling marriage rates causing happiness to fall in the US?
Professors Sam Peltzman and John Helliwell explore the correlation between falling marriage rates and decreasing happiness in the US. They discuss the complexities of causation and the impact of individual happiness on the decision to marry, revealing the intricate link between marriage and happiness levels.

10 snips
May 11, 2024 • 10min
Is reading for pleasure the single biggest factor in how well a child does in life?
Miyako Ikeda from OECD and Professor Alice Sullivan from UCL discuss if reading for pleasure is the biggest factor in a child's success. They explore the impact of reading on academic performance, student engagement, literacy scores, and bridging the achievement gap. The podcast questions the claim that reading for pleasure is the sole determinant of future success.

May 4, 2024 • 10min
Do one in five young Americans think the holocaust is a myth?
Andrew Mercer, polling expert from the Pew Research Centre, discusses the accuracy of polling results suggesting 20% of young Americans believe the holocaust is a myth. They question the reliability of opt-in polling methods and reveal discrepancies in findings. The impact of bogus respondents and challenges in obtaining accurate survey data are also explored.

Apr 26, 2024 • 9min
Has Milei fixed Argentina’s inflation problem?
Economist Monica de Bolle discusses the impact of Javier Milei's economic measures in Argentina, exploring the decrease in inflation rate and its implications. The podcast delves into the country's economic struggles, transition to market-driven pricing, issues of inflation and poverty, and challenges of implementing reforms amidst public unrest.


