Reader staffers share stories that fascinate, alarm, amuse, or inspire us.
• Cass Sunstein on the economists George A. Akerlof and Robert J. Shiller’s new book Phishing for Phools: The Economics of Manipulation and Deception, which argues that the free market and competition produce systemic harm? —Kate Schmidt
• About the genius of The Great British Bake Off, currently the most popular TV show in Great Britain? —Aimee Levitt