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| Stephen Dubner | |
|---|---|
| Name | Stephen Dubner |
| Birth date | 1963-08-06 |
| Birth place | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Occupation | Author, journalist, podcaster |
| Alma mater | University of Vermont |
| Notable works | Freakonomics, SuperFreakonomics |
Stephen Dubner is an American author, journalist, and podcaster known for popularizing unconventional analyses of social phenomena. He coauthored the bestselling book Freakonomics and cohosts the long-running Freakonomics Radio podcast, collaborating with economists, journalists, and public intellectuals. Dubner's work bridges publishing and broadcasting by exploring incentives, data, and narrative through collaborations with figures from economics, statistics, and media.
Dubner was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in a family with roots in New York City and New Haven, Connecticut. He attended Stuyvesant High School in New York City before studying at the University of Vermont, where he earned a degree in English studies and began contributing to student publications. Influences from literary figures and journalists such as Truman Capote, Tom Wolfe, Joan Didion, Gay Talese, and Norman Mailer shaped his narrative style, alongside interest in nonfiction exemplars like Malcolm Gladwell and Michael Lewis.
Dubner began his career as a magazine writer, contributing to outlets including The New York Times Magazine, Harper's Magazine, The New Yorker, and Esquire. He worked as a freelance journalist and author, developing reportage skills akin to contemporaries such as Jonah Lehrer, Susan Orlean, David Foster Wallace, and Nicholas Kristof. Dubner also engaged with public radio institutions like NPR and production entities such as WNYC and This American Life, collaborating with producers and hosts including Ira Glass and Robert Krulwich. His feature writing often intersected with topics studied by scholars at Columbia University, Harvard University, Princeton University, and Stanford University.
Dubner coauthored Freakonomics (2005) and SuperFreakonomics (2009) with economist Steven D. Levitt, exploring incentives and unexpected causal links in areas ranging from crime and education to real estate and healthcare. The books prompted debate involving economists and commentators at institutions like the National Bureau of Economic Research, American Economic Association, Brookings Institution, and Cato Institute. Subsequent projects included Think Like a Freak with Levitt, and edited collections and articles published by magazines such as The Atlantic and Wired. Dubner's collaborations extended to researchers at University of Chicago, University of California, Berkeley, Yale University, and University of Michigan and produced dialogues with public figures like Paul Krugman, Nate Silver, Thomas Piketty, and Richard Thaler.
Dubner cohosts Freakonomics Radio, produced by Dubner Productions and distributed via networks including Stitcher and iHeartMedia, featuring interviews with economists, policymakers, and cultural figures such as Barack Obama, Bill Gates, Malcolm Gladwell, Elena Kagan, and Daniel Kahneman. He has appeared on programs hosted by Charlie Rose, TED Conferences, The Daily Show, and panels at events like SXSW and the World Economic Forum in Davos. His radio and television appearances brought him into conversation with journalists and entertainers from CNN, BBC, MSNBC, and PBS.
Dubner married novelist and nonfiction writer Leanne Shapton; his personal associations include friendships and collaborations with writers and academics such as Steven D. Levitt, Ira Glass, Malcolm Gladwell, and Michael Lewis. He has lived in New York City and maintains ties to cultural institutions including The New York Public Library and arts venues across Manhattan. Dubner's family background and personal interests connect him to literary communities in Brooklyn, Harlem, and Greenwich Village.
Dubner's books and broadcasts earned praise from media and academic communities, with honors and citations from organizations including the American Library Association, Peabody Awards juries, and industry recognitions such as the Webby Awards and Society of Professional Journalists. Freakonomics appeared on bestseller lists curated by The New York Times and Publishers Weekly, and Dubner has been profiled or interviewed in outlets like Time, Newsweek, The Economist, and The Washington Post.
Category:American writers Category:American podcasters Category:1963 births Category:Living people