Can a good story change economic reality? | The Indicator
February 6, 2026
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9:50Now PlayingCan a good story change economic reality? | The Indicator
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as posted by the channelEconomic decisions aren’t only driven by hard data. A compelling story can change economic behavior and outcomes. In today’s episode, we explore real-world examples of “narrative economics” like how the Suez Canal ended up getting built. And we ask: why do narratives sometimes matter more than truth or data?
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