Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Freakonomics Radio

    Freakonomics Radio

    Show and Yell

    Is booing an act of verbal vandalism or the last true expression of democracy? Also, when you drive a Prius, are you guilty of "conspicuous conservation?"

    • Share
    KCRW placeholderBy Stephen J. Dubner • Feb 12, 2012 • 1 min read

    Is booing an act of verbal vandalism or the last true expression of democracy? Hear how Philadelphia sports fans earned their reputation as the loudest boo-birds, and to what extent culture -- high or low -- plays a role. Guests include former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, who admits to booing Santa Claus; and sportswriter/opera buff Robert Lipsyte, who was surprised that more people didn't boo Pavarotti when he "parked and barked" his way through a performance.

    Learn more or listen again to this week's episode.

    Banner image by Nick Laham/Getty Images

    • KCRW placeholder

      Stephen J. Dubner

      Host, Freakonomics Radio

      Culture
    Back to Freakonomics Radio