More or Less
BBC Radio 4Tim Harford explains - and sometimes debunks - the numbers and statistics used in political debate, the news and everyday life
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 1102 | Founded | 19 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | MathematicsScienceNewsNews Commentary | |||
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Latest Episodes
In certain corners of the internet some suspicious numbers are cropping up again and again. People claiming that 400 churches have been burnt to the ground or attacked in an assortment of countries, including France, the US and Canada. So, what is go... more
Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news. This week:
The Daily Express claims that ‘Migrants will get half of all new homes’, based on a calculation from the Conservatives. We explain why that’s not what the numbers say, and ask what... more
On the 17th of May the World Health Organisation declared a new outbreak of Ebolavirus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as an International Emergency.
Ebola virus is an extremely nasty viral disease with a high death toll. But despite its se... more
Tim Harford investigates some of the numbers in the news. This week:
Headlines have claimed that “healthy life expectancy” in the UK has fallen by two years. What does this actually mean?
A new government report estimates that HS2 will cost almost ... more
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Reviews
- Language needs work
In your episode about trans women in sport, you acknowledge at the start that you are looking at studies comparing transgender women and cisgender women, which is the appropriately specific language. However, you then cease to use cisgender to specify when you mean women who were assigned female at birth, and for the rest of the episode you repeatedly compare “trans women” with “women”, implying that they fall outside of this category. This is, at best, a failure of specificity and professionali... more
Apple Podcasts2brodycalypso
Australiaa month ago - This show makes you fall in love with numbers
Always interesting, surprisingly humorous, and consistently well done. The show makes you feel more intelligent and at ease in a world full of claims. Not just debunking, some stuff is surprisingly true (and therefore even more worth exploring)!
Apple Podcasts5frondofplants
Canadaa month ago - Do better
More or Less brings the research to the questions of the day! But you’ve been failing in your analysis. Your expert, university professor champions the idea that it’s not that big! The numbers provided were, the Trump administration says it’s 71B but your expert says a lot of that was refunded so it’s closer to 36B - the show takeaway was Trump is wrong again. More or Less has missed the point. Your program isn’t to split hairs. It should be to help people understand the numbers.
Use the num... more
Apple Podcasts1Future-is-bright
United Statesa month ago - Do better
More or Less brings the research to the questions of the day! But you’ve been failing in your analysis. Your expert, university professor champions the idea that it’s not that big! The numbers provided were, the Trump administration says it’s 71B but your expert says a lot of that was refunded so it’s closer to 36B - the show takeaway was Trump is wrong again. More or Less has missed the point. Your program isn’t to split hairs. It should be to help people understand the numbers.
The use the... more
Apple Podcasts1Future-is-brightUnited States2 months ago - Statistical literacy is sorely needed - thank you
Even professionals in scientific fields often don’t have a real grounding in statistical interpretation. Not just reading the previous few papers in your field and copy pasting their statistical method. Real understanding. Capacity to know not just what, but why, and the limitations every approach to stats (even the best ones) have. That’s what we need.
Apple Podcasts5PototoNoroaUnited States3 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #1 | United States/Science/Mathematics |
Apple Podcasts | #74 | United States/Science |
Spotify | #5 |  United Kingdom/Science |
Apple Podcasts | #126 | United Kingdom/Top Podcasts |
Apple Podcasts | #1 | United Kingdom/Science/Mathematics |
Apple Podcasts | #1 | Canada/Science/Mathematics |
Talking Points
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Frequently Asked Questions About More or Less
What is More or Less about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A numbers-first show that consistently challenges headlines by unpacking the statistics behind current events and policy debates. Across episodes, it covers topics from public health, environmental science, and technology to risk language and social trends, often featuring academics, journalists, and policy experts who help translate data into actionable insights. Noteworthy traits include a preference for data-driven analysis, rigorous methodological critique, and a willingness to challenge common narratives even when it risks controversy. Listeners can expect clear explanations, nuanced discussions, and a habit of separating what is known from what is uncertain, making it valuable for decision-makers, researchers, and curious, analyticall... more
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How many listeners does More or Less get?
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Which podcasts are similar to More or Less?
These podcasts share a similar audience with More or Less:
1. BBC Inside Science
2. Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
3. The Life Scientific
4. The Briefing Room
5. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast
How many episodes of More or Less are there?
More or Less launched 19 years ago and published 1102 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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What guests have appeared on More or Less?
Recent guests on More or Less include:
1. Melody Ding
2. Jared Duker Lichtman
3. Liam Price
4. Katie Steckles
5. Leon Shahab
6. Tim Hess
7. Mesfin Mekonnen
8. Mark Mulligan
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