Why Does Everyone Hate Rats? (Update)

Hey there, it's Stephen Dubner, and it is springtime in New York City, which means the trees are greening up, the sidewalk cafes are crowded, and the rats are coming out. So we figured this was the moment to bring you an update of an episode we First published last year, a very popular episode called Why Does Everyone Hate Rats? We have updated facts and figures as needed. Thanks for listening.

In the fall of 2022, a new job listing was posted on a New York City government website. The ideal candidate, the listing read, is highly motivated and somewhat bloodthirsty, determined to look at all solutions from various angles including data collection, technology innovation, and wholesale slaughter. And what kind of government job requires wholesale slaughter? Here is the man responsible for this listing. Rats do something to traumatize you and I hate rats.

That is Eric Adams, who at the time was mayor of New York City. If you walk down the block and a rat runs across your foot, You never forget it. Every time you walk down that block, you relive that. Adams made a lot of headlines when he was in office, like an indictment on federal criminal charges, including bribery and wire fraud, although those were ultimately dismissed.

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