No Dumb Ideas

The big idea: Make everything harder to use

Taking the time to do something is a signal that you value it. What should we do when AI automates that away?

Dec 16, 2025 • No Dumb Ideas

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November 2025

The big idea: Jury duty for institutional investors

We let groups of strangers decide the fate of defendants in the criminal justice system. What if we let them decide asset allocation for pension funds?

Nov 18, 2025 • No Dumb Ideas

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Does momentum exist in prediction markets? A short analysis

A change of pace driven by a minor obsession. Back to normal NDI next week.

Nov 4, 2025 • No Dumb Ideas

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October 2025

The big idea: Let college students buy drinking licenses

Underage drinking already happens. What if states could redirect it to supervised venues while funding the interstate highway system?

Oct 28, 2025 • No Dumb Ideas

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The big idea: Hobbies through acquisition

After a COVID-driven boom in hobbies, billions of dollars in investment is sitting in America's closets. What if there was a better way to sell them?

Oct 21, 2025 • No Dumb Ideas

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The big idea: Charge less for low-rated Uber drivers

Uber regularly kicks off drivers that fall below a ratings threshold. What if they made them cheaper instead?

Oct 7, 2025 • No Dumb Ideas

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September 2025

Creating a tariff-free coffee substitute

With coffee prices skyrocketing and tariffs adding to the pain, does it make sense to start looking locally?

Sep 24, 2025 • No Dumb Ideas

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The big idea: Marriage-backed bonds

For many couples, getting married means a guaranteed tax break. Why can't they use it to pay for their wedding?

Sep 16, 2025 • No Dumb Ideas

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The 1924 New Mexico regional banking panic

A change in tone for Labor Day Weekend: let's revisit a century-old banking panic. Back to normal programming next week

Sep 2, 2025 • No Dumb Ideas

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August 2025

Turn flights into wine tasting rooms

In a tough environment for the American wine industry, it might be time for some radical new ideas. Are 50mL airplane bottles the future of wine?

Aug 26, 2025 • No Dumb Ideas

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The best of No Dumb Ideas so far

A brief look back after 30 ideas

Aug 19, 2025 • No Dumb Ideas

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The big idea: a tip jar for scenic neighborhoods

A big idea to compensate residents of tourist towns for the externalities that tourists bring.

Aug 12, 2025

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