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Simon Evans examines the concept of the 'free lunch' and shines a light on new ways of making money in the 21st century.

In this series, Simon Evans examines the concept of the 'free lunch' and shines a light on new ways of making money in the 21st century.

There are many apparently 'free' economic models operating today but what are they and how do they work? Across four episodes Simon and his team will explore Social Media and how we often appear to enjoy it for free. Later on Simon examines the perhaps unfair belief that some multinationals appear to operate tax free. And what about the billions being given away 'for free' by a new breed of philanthro-capitalists? Finally, what can we learn from these operating models to help that beloved yet creaking institution, the NHS, which is also apparently free at the point of use?

As a wise person once said, there's no such thing as a free lunch. If you're not paying, you're the product.

Also featuring Financial Times economics god Tim Harford and Timandra Harkness, author of 'Big Data: Does Size Matter?' with contributions from the Queen of MoneyWeek, Merryn Somerset Webb.

Episode 1: Social Media

From the country-sized economy of Google changing the way we see adverts; to the seemingly free apps like Uber making San Francisco the economic centre of the world and changing the concept of local business; to social media platforms like Facebook redefining us as economic actors... the way we work, shop, meet, and think about money is profoundly changing. Many of these technologies look benign and free - but who is getting rich from them? And how? And how are we 'paying' without realising?

Starring: Simon Evans with Tim Harford and Timandra Harkness
Written by Simon Evans with Benjamin Partridge
Researcher: Andrew Wright
Production coordinator: Toby Tilling

Producer: Richard Morris
A 成人快手 Studios Production.

Available now

30 minutes

Last on

Wed 24 Jan 2018 05:30

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Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Simon Evans
Interviewed Guest Tim Harford
Interviewed Guest Merryn Somerset Webb
Writer Simon Evans
Writer Benjamin Partridge
Writer Andy Wolton
Producer Claire Jones

Broadcasts

  • Tue 16 Jan 2018 18:30
  • Tue 23 Jan 2018 07:30
  • Tue 23 Jan 2018 17:30
  • Tue 23 Jan 2018 22:00
  • Wed 24 Jan 2018 05:30

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