There’s a social theory in which individuals make choices to benefit the self, but ultimately harm themselves and the greater community. A new study published by researchers at Georgia Tech provides methods to combat what’s known as “tragedy of the commons.” We speak with lead researcher and Georgia Tech Professor Joshua Weitz to talk about the implications of his counter-theory. Georgia State University sociology professor Dan Pasciuti also joins us to put the theory into a societal context. 

Selfish much? We talk about a social science theory behind why people often act in their own self-interests. Plus, how Georgia State University predicts students' success and the delicious history of military food.

Plus, how can colleges and universities predict student success? A new report from the non-profit New America Foundation says at least 40 percent of schools use a special algorithm to identify students who might not graduate. It's called predictive analytics, and administrators say it's a necessary tool for boosting graduation rates. However, there are concerns that it may cause more harm than good. We talk with Manuela Ekowo of the New America Foundation and Timothy Renick, who is Georgia State University’s Vice Provost and Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success.

And the next time the you open your kitchen cabinets, consider this: a lot of the processed food we eat today started off as food for soldiers. The Army has a long history of culinary innovation that’s trickled down to our homes. We listen back to our conversation with food writer Anastacia Marx de Salcedo and Georgia farmer Matthew Raiford, who's also an Army veteran, about the military’s influence on today’s food. 

Tags: predictive analytics  Tragedy of the Commons  OST Full Show  Atlanta  Georgia