Policy Fallacy

In this episode, Joe and Rex briefly revisit the patent episode and hope not to get sued for it. They catch the health care bug and discuss insurance. Then they talk about net neutrality, but can’t afford to tell you any more about it online. Listen

In this episode, Joe and Rex (or someone paid to pretend to be Rex) investigate the unintended consequences of honor codes and the enforcement thereof. While academic integrity is no game, academics themselves kind of are now, thanks to a gamification strategy known as badging. The good guesser badge goes to the listener who can identify what the unintended consequences of that will be. Listen

In this episode, Joe and zombie Rex explore the unintended consequences of raising the dead, or are they the unintended consequences of cable networks needed to fill a 24-hour time slot? They then go trick-or-treating only to find that the treats on tap for kids this Halloween are free samples of toothpaste. What the spell is the deal with that? Also, any wild mischaracterizations of the offspring of Mary Shelley are purely intended but entirely incorrect. Listen

In this episode, Joe and Rex count their calories, and it’s super easy to do now that McDonald’s posts calorie counts on its menus. Starbucks, too, though that doesn’t seem to matter mocha. Oh, and the government shut down, so while Rex and Joe are on furlough their unpaid intern audio doubles talk about that some.  Listen

In this episode, Joe flies in on a bicycle because DC cabs don’t take credit cards (yet) and Rex sings like a cockatoo. Together they examine the unintended consequences of the NYC taxicab medallion system and enter into a random aside about poop. Listen

In this episode, Rex and Joe cross the street. Will they wait for the signal? That may depend on how it counts down. In the future, this paradox will be irrelevant because robots will do all our driving for us. Imagine the consequences! Or, you can listen and hear them imagined for you.  Listen

In this episode, Joe and Rex explore the unintended consequences of land grabs. And there are plenty, because, really, any time grabbing is involved it tends to not go well for at least one of the parties involved. They explore old time Georgia and newfangled .georgia. More alike than you might think? Unless you already thought they were alike, in which case maybe not. Listen

In this episode, Rex (returned from sequester!) and Joe vote on what happens when you switch to a secret ballot. Then they imagine a world where the government makes you use your real name when you do stuff like post snarky comments about a podcast on the internet. Listen

In this episode, Joe is joined by China vice-expert Tobias Results for an all China extravaganza. Listen to learn how property taxes are driving up the divorce rate and how opening up your economy can make for a choppy waterbed. Listen

In this episode, Joe and Rex hit the drive thru. Oh no! Did ketchup just spill all over? No it did not, thanks to the dip & squeeze container. One guy thinks Heinz stole the idea from him, so they talk about that some. And somewhere in there is a discussion of the unintended consequences of patents. And then there’s a new law in Vermont that aspires to address some of those unintended consequences. And, new theme music! Listen

In this episode, Rex and Joe examine why the soda ban was banned, what the unintended consequence-ability of disability insurance is, and how the proposed DC food truck regulations could lead to more IRS audits. Listen

Join Joe and Rex for a discussion of the unintended consequences of prohibiting alcohol and legalizing marijuana. Probably not at the same time, but you never know. Listen

On this week’s podcast, Joe and Rex discuss the unintended consequences of collecting coins and of playing baseball with hand grenades. Listen

Welcome, webwonks, to Policy Fallacy: The Podcast of Unintended Consequences. In their inaugural podcast, Regulator Joe and Wonkasaurus Rex discuss the side effects of selective treatment of tuberculosis and the potential unintended consequences of the pending soda ban in New York City. Listen