Is a Museum Just a Trophy Case? (Update)

Aug 21, 2026 · 53 min · YouTube

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EP · Freakonomics Radio · Is a Museum Just a Trophy Case? (Update)52:55

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0:06Hey there, it's Stephen Dubner.

0:07We are currently replaying a three-part series we made a few years ago called Stealing Art is Easy, Giving It Back is Hard.

0:15As part of this update, we have refreshed facts and figures as necessary, and in this episode, we've included some new material.

0:23This is part two of the series.

0:25Last week, we began with a simple question.

0:28How do the artworks and artifacts that you see in a museum wind up in a museum?

0:34For a long time, the entire art world didn't ask questions.

0:38The Met got fooled by not probing deeply enough into the purported history that was given to us.

0:48Guess what?

0:50My kids know it's looted.

0:52But the museum world is changing.

0:54Museums are now returning dozens of objects every single year.

0:59It's like Olympic Games for Restitution.

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